Where to grease FEL control?

[DanielTerence]

The sticker on my L2800 with FEL says to grease every 10 hours and to also do the FEL control lever or linkage (can't rememeber exactly the wording).
Anyway, I've been to two dealers and asked where do I grease the control lever or linkage and they have not been able to give me a straight answer. One suggested taking off the black cover - but that seems like a lot to do every 10 hours. What do you folks do?
Thanks

 

[mazurrj]

The sticker on my L2800 with FEL says to grease every 10 hours and to also do the FEL control lever or linkage (can't rememeber exactly the wording).
Anyway, I've been to two dealers and asked where do I grease the control lever or linkage and they have not been able to give me a straight answer. One suggested taking off the black cover - but that seems like a lot to do every 10 hours. What do you folks do?
Thanks

Not sure if you have enough clearance but i usually just spray lituim grease on my linkage, you could even just drill same hole in plastic cover to spray linkage.

 

[C6rider]

I have a rubber boot on my BX so you can just take off the boot and spray from the top and also shoot some from the bottom. I spent a lot of time looking for a non-existent zerk.

 

[DanielTerence]

When you talk about "spray", does lithium also come in a spray can? I know it's in my grease gun tubes.

 

[mazurrj]

yes in spray can, i got mine at Auto store, it has lithuim right on can. Just a little thicker than straight spray.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I always thought it was best not to put any lube on the FEL control valve itself as this would cause dirt to stick to the control valves and cause problems. I had a JD 870 that sat outside alls its life and never once did I lube the control valves or linkage. It always worked fine. I could see where it wouldn't hurt to lube the linkage.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[offcamber]

My dealer never mentioned lubbing the FEL control..and they went over every inch of the machine with me...

 

[Adam23]

I would also think that lubing the linkage would cause dirt to stick and cuse more rapid wear. The linkage is the type of joint that i don't think requires lube. Come to think of it - it was dry from the facotry.

 

[yzbdsbp]

But Daniel is right....It does say in the owners book and I think on the loader to grease this linkage every 10 hours. Mine has 60 hrs on it and it could be a little smoother, so yes I too looked for and hour Sat for an easy way to grease the thing......Im going with the Lith spray!!! There is no "easy" way Im convinced!!!!!

 

[offcamber]

I wonder if a less sticky lubricant would work better like silcone spray....may not attract as much dirt....just thinking out load...

 

[sugarmaple]

Two observations:

My old B7100 had been a rental in a previous lifetime and the loader linkage was very baggy. A new one fixed it right up and a little spray lithium or Fluid Film kept it working well.

I look under the 4330 and see lots of linkages with potential wear issues. It is my personal opinion that a little dirt is ok. Too dirty, give it a bath and relube. Steel on steel with out a film of lubricant is a recipe for wear imho, but the counter argument certainly has some merit and may be preferable in some environments. I don't know why ball ends (heim rods, like ones found on a precision push rod ends) could not be used to some benefit, but maybe that is a dirt issue too and obviously the expense would be greater.

 

[ampsucker]

the linkage on my bx was extremely sloppy from the factory. i took off the cover and found most of the rods to be loose and even one nut was missing! spent an hour tightening things up and it majorly improved the feel and responsiveness of the fel.

if you are in a sandy environment or have a lot of abrasive dust, i would suggest buying graphite to lube the linkage or go to a bicycle shop and get the teflon chain lube. it has a carrier that evaporates and leaves a non-sticky but highly slick residue behind.

for the rest of us, any lube will do. as previously posted, once it gets dirty, just use a little engine degreaser and then wash and start over.

amp

 

[idaguide]

On my 7800 I just slide the boot up, remove a couple bolts underneath the black cover, and it slides right off. Several shots of white lithium and it's good to go. About three minutes...no prob, bob.
grae

 

[ELMO67]

I think that also applies to 10 hours of " actual" usage, ie. if you are using that particular joystick and not just riding around pulling a brush hog.

 

[seapea]

I think that also applies to 10 hours of " actual" usage, ie. if you are using that particular joystick and not just riding around pulling a brush hog.

Yep, that's what my dealer told me. Grease after 10 hours of loader usage, not 10 hours of tractor usage.