LUBING FEL

[kozak]

Did my first lube job on the tractor last weekend. When doing the FEL, I could not lube two of the zerks closest to the bucket. (See attachment) In fact, looks like there has never been any lube applied. Are the zerks plugged & if so, how do I clear them ? Not looking forward to taking the bucket off.

 

[RoyJackson]

If all else fails, remove the zerk fittings and replace with new ones. As that is a lube point, your may have to rotat (curl or dump) the bucket to provide better access....but make sure you do lube those pivot points!

 

[Glenn9643]

I was wandering around one of the local garden centers a couple months ago and noticed one of the workers driving toward me on a MF 1428v with FEL. He stopped to see if I needed any help, as there was no one else around, and while we were talking I noticed that the holes for the top pins on the FEL mount were worn to at least 1/4" oversize and oval instead of round. Apparently they wore the thing out in about a year before they learned what grease was for. I'd be afraid to run it with the pins in that shape but they were and it had grease everywhere now that it's too late. After seeing that I add grease just about every time I use it.
Another item that will slip up on you if not kept greased is the tail-wheel spindle on a bush-hog.

 

[have_blue]

Kozak,
It's not usually the Zerk fitting. It's more likely your grease gun needs more oomph. Try the easiest thing first: Pull the Zerk, poke into the hole and make sure the hole is drilled all the way to through. You never know. Try shooting grease through the fitting while you have it out, but be aware it may be hard to pop the nozzle free. If there's still no joy, try one of those cheap hammer operated greasers. They're a pain, but create way more pressure than most pneumatic grease guns. Good luck!

 

[Bird]

I'm not sure I understand exactly what the problem is. Is it because you cannot get the grease gun onto the recessed zerks? If so, you may need to change the tip (coupler) on your grease gun. I'm not sure why, but they make some small ones that will go in there and they make some that are too large to fit into that recess, but either will screw right onto the gun.

 

[kozak]

"try one of those cheap hammer operated greasers. They're a pain, but create way more pressure than most pneumatic grease guns."

Thanks for the response guys. You have to realize that I am a novice to all this stuff. Never even knew you could remove a zerk. As for grease guns, all I have is a hand operated (lever actuated) gun... spring loaded. No problem getting grease in all the other zerks. So I am not sure what type of grease gun I'm supposed to use. In so far as access or nozzle size, no problem there either....fits right over nipple (or zerk as you guys like to call them.)

 

[RickB]

Nothing wrong with a lever- or pistol grip manual grease gun. Either will develop several thousand PSI if in good shape. The zerk or grease galley it feeds is most likely plugged. once cleared, the key is to grease it often enough to keep the dirt out and the grease from hardening.

 

[JerryG]

kozak,
I don't know how the reliefs are machined on that type of end feed pin, but you might be able to put down pressure on your bucket and get the grease to go in. Sometimes the pin will be pressed against the sleeve in a way that the grease can't get out of the Zerk.

 

[henryjacobjosh]

If it were me and it doesn't seem as though they were ever greased, I would remove the pins and clean them up. Re-install pins and for a small amount of $$ change the zerk fittings. This should not take very long and can't be more than 2 or 3 dollars for the fittings. You can then rest easy knowing you have clean pins with a good grease bath.
Just my 2 cents. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jinman]

Kozak, sometimes the grease zerks get plugged. If you look at the zerk fitting, it's really just a tiny ball checkvalve. You can actually push the ball mechanically with a screwdriver tip to break it loose. If that doesn't work, use a small socket to remove the zerk (you may need a deep socket). Put the removed zerk into your grease gun and see if grease pumps through. That will eliminate the zerk as the problem. Once you know you have a working zerk installed, you can go from there on adding grease.

On a loader, if you use it a lot, you should lubricate all the fittings once per day or every 8 hours of use, whichever comes first. That's the NH instruction in my 16LA Owner's Manual. My pins have lots of excess grease around them, but that's my "evidence" that I take care of my loader. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think the normal interval for the rest of the tractor is every 25 hours. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif