Stuborn Grease Nipples

[kozak]

Has anyone had trouble greasing their tractor this c-o-l-d season ? I have been trying to grease my FEL without any luck. Thought it was just the frigid temperatures but today it got above freezing & I am still having no luck. Grease gun works fine. Is there any trick I can use without having to remove each & every nipple to clear a passage ? Is this par for the winter ??

 

[Junkman]

Get out the hair drier and warm up the metal. You might think that it is warm because of the air temperature, but the metal holds the cold a lot longer than you might think. Grease at 40 degrees isn't very pliable. Put a glob in the refrigerator and see what it is like in the morning. If the wife asks what "that" is, tell her that it is a new spread for toast. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JerryG]

One thing that helps is to take the pressure off of the pin where you are trying to put the grease or make sure that the pin is pushed to the opposite side of where the Zerk is.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. some zerks just won't take grease till the joint moves a tad.

Soundguy

 

[dbelisle]

Yes, try taking the pressure off. I have a backhoes on a Kioti and a Mahindra and Have to move them at times before the grease will go in.
Dave in NH

 

[kozak]

Thanks to all who responded.

In so far as moving the joint, about a week ago when we still had a whack of snow I did exactly that. Went out & cleared snow for about an hour. Thought that should work joints enough but alas still would not take grease. The one thing I did'nt try was to move the pin over opposite to the zerk. If that does'nt work will try hair dryer method. Maybe the old grease in the joint (at very cold temps) is just too viscous to allow any grease in a very small orifice.

Since then, we have had such warm temperatures that I spent couple of hours yesterday greasing the snot out of all the pivot points. Grease flowed like soft JELLY. Was a beautiful thing.

Thanks Again & Happy New Year !!

 

[frank_f15]

i have to do the same thing on occasion with my Fel, i think this is pretty normal.

 

[AndyMA]

I have the same problem quite alot and not just in the winter. I usually hear the joint with a propane torch and then use the Lincoln Power Luber on it. I recently purchased a tool from Gemplers that uses light weight oil forced into the fitting to loosen it. Seems to work pretty well. Grease Joint Tool

Andy

 

[kozak]

Hey that's a neat tool & seems easy to use. (Nothing fancy) I definitely have to get one. Thanks for the tip.