How often do you check your zerks (aka grease nipples)

[Kenneth in Texas]

Ive had 3 get loose on my tractors FEL over the years.

 

[GuyInHuntsville]

Next time you grease, take a 5/16 and 7/16 nut driver with you and check.

Thank you for this info!

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I've had a couple loose on my tractor since I got it new 2 yrs ago. Angled ones on the loader. If I tightened them snug, they wouldn't be at the right angle to get the grease gun on.

 

[sixdogs]

Am I odd man out? In decades and many tractors I have had only one loose grease zerk? I had no idea this was so common. Suppose it's newer manufacturing techniques? One zerk that I did try to tighten turned out to be a pressed in fitting on an early Kubota loader and it caused me a lot of grief to replace.

 

[Utopia Texas]

I've run 6 tractors for over 52 years now and have never had a zerk come loose. Surprising since they are the most lubricated part on a tractor!

 

[dave1949]

I've had a few loose or loosen, maybe they were never tight enough to begin with. I just used an ez-out on one the other day that was snapped off on the backhoe stabilizer. Probably a rock got to it. It's shielded put points to the ground and is fairly low.

 

[IslandTractor]

Am I odd man out? In decades and many tractors I have had only one loose grease zerk? I had no idea this was so common. Suppose it's newer manufacturing techniques? One zerk that I did try to tighten turned out to be a pressed in fitting on an early Kubota loader and it caused me a lot of grief to replace.

Until yesterday, I would have said the same thing. I looked even closer today and found one missing zerk in a non critical location (pivot for BH pad). That was an unprotected zerk though and might have just been knocked off.

I do wonder if there is something about the way I remove the grease nipple after pumping into the zerk that might be loosening them over time. I switch between a rigid nozzle with manual lever style and a Lincoln battery powered gun with flexible hose. i wonder if I am unconsciously twisting the nipple off counterclockwise after pumping. After seven years that might unscrew a zerk.

 

[k0ua]

Until yesterday, I would have said the same thing. I looked even closer today and found one missing zerk in a non critical location (pivot for BH pad). That was an unprotected zerk though and might have just been knocked off.

I do wonder if there is something about the way I remove the grease nipple after pumping into the zerk that might be loosening them over time. I switch between a rigid nozzle with manual lever style and a Lincoln battery powered gun with flexible hose. i wonder if I am unconsciously twisting the nipple off counterclockwise after pumping. After seven years that might unscrew a zerk.

Ed, I know it is a lot of money, but trust me get a LockNLube coupler for your grease gun and live a longer life. No rotating the coupler, no pulling, no unscrewing the coupler to loosen it, just a joyful greasing experience. You will need an adaptor ( I made one) for those two zerks on the pedal shafts as the lock n lube is too long to get in there easily, either that or trade out those zerks for right angle zerks like they should have been in the first place. I resisted for a long time but the guys kept on saying how wonderful this thing is, and you know what? They were right.

Amazon.com: LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler - Zerk Grease Coupler Fitting Tip - Easy Lock-on, Clip-off - Stays on - Grease goes in, not on the machine - FREE Shipping & 30 day money back trial plus $3 for return shipping.!: Automotive

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ssory-your-lock-n-lube.html?highlight=coupler

 

[Hammy]

Funny I came across this post, I had a couple loose zerks on my Woods BH that I finally got around to tightening today so I checked them all and found about a half dozen loose as well. Maybe its the way I take my grease gun off too? Or its the Woods BH... The one's on my loader seem to be fine. Worth a check though.

 

[IslandTractor]

Ed, I know it is a lot of money, but trust me get a LockNLube coupler for your grease gun and live a longer life. No rotating the coupler, no pulling, no unscrewing the coupler to loosen it, just a joyful greasing experience. You will need an adaptor ( I made one) for those two zerks on the pedal shafts as the lock n lube is too long to get in there easily, either that or trade out those zerks for right angle zerks like they should have been in the first place. I resisted for a long time but the guys kept on saying how wonderful this thing is, and you know what? They were right. Amazon.com: LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler - Zerk Grease Coupler Fitting Tip - Easy Lock-on, Clip-off - Stays on - Grease goes in, not on the machine - FREE Shipping & 30 day money back trial plus $3 for return shipping.!: Automotive http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/318651-accessory-your-lock-n-lube.html?highlight=coupler

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll order one today. The things I hate most about greasing are seeing grease regurgitate from a poor zerk connection and then fighting to get the tip off the zerk. Sounds like this is the device for me. I'm gonna treat myself to a new Lincoln lever gun too as I'm also fed up with my HF cheapy.