Do you lube your 3-Point linkages?

[Danner]

You know, the pins and swivels. I'm torn between the confidence of a well oiled machine and the fact that oil/grease are dirt magnets.

 

[EE_Bota]

You know, the pins and swivels. I'm torn between the confidence of a well oiled machine and the fact that oil/grease are dirt magnets.

That is a good question. I never have, nor have I ever seen anyone who has, but I am not in a huge agricultural area. I would be afraid of the dirt attraction. I have never seen any signs that the pins or ball joints have worn unduly.

 

[ducks13]

My Deere manual says to oil them and I do. I've seen the freeze up without oil. Yes, you will need to clean the dirt the oil catches before you oil them again.

 

[mooseracing]

I have never seen any signs that the pins or ball joints have worn unduly.

You need to use some older well used tractors then :laughing: I know I need to replace a few parts on mine as the holes are nice and long.

 

[MMagis]

Never. They MIGHT sieze if not used for extended periods of time. Normally used, they'll never seize. Lubing the pins serves no purpose, other than greasy hands.

 

[HiddenHollow]

I spray some white lithium grease on the balls. It doesn't seem to attract much dirt.

 

[BrierPatch]

I do. I spin the balls so they are 90 deg. to normal or so the eye is facing front to back and I try to get the grease up inside the socket. I use wheel bearing grease. When done I line everything back up for normal use and wipe off the excess grease. Don't know about long term effects, but I will probably continue this. I only do it maybe once a year or less.

 

[TripleR]

Nope and we have some tractors built in the 50's and 60's with no visible harm.

 

[EE_Bota]

You need to use some older well used tractors then :laughing: I know I need to replace a few parts on mine as the holes are nice and long.

I've been on plenty of older well used tractors, and the components looked to be in good shape to me. Maybe you can destroy an anvil with a feather?

My experience is regional, and I think some of the farmers out west work the snot out of their tractors with huge crops and extremely long work days. I defer to them.

 

[Jay4200]

You know, the pins and swivels. I'm torn between the confidence of a well oiled machine and the fact that oil/grease are dirt magnets.

There was just a post about this somewhere on this site. The vast majority of responders use a dab of extra grease smeared on the balls and pins. I do the same.

JayC