Why I should never be allowed to do anything....

Scrounger · May 17, 2007

It's pretty simple.

Use a torch.

Then a hammer.

Then a torch again.

OR

Buy a new tractor.

rdbrumfield · May 20, 2007

pull the top pivot pins that you are stuck to on both sides and put a small bit of raise pressure on the loader to bring it up out of the hinge so you can get to it. Then try to unscrew the tip a little on the gun nipple, it should come off. If you break the zerk, at least you can get to it for and easy fix.

texbaylea · May 20, 2007

Prying on the pipe just tightens the chuck on the fitting. You need to get under the grease gun chuck and pry there. I have a tool that was meant to pull grease seals with a narrow hook at one end and ended in an L. It is about 8-10" long. The shank is about 1/2" square. You could get the hook into the seal and a few taps on the "L" would remove the seal. It would work here too.

Cut the pipe off at the lowest possible level then you should be able to get a deep socket on to the hex. Get a pair of "needle nose" vise grips on to the barrel. I have a pair that are about 8" long that would fit in the gap. Take the chuck apart and pull out the pieces.

This situation is frustrating but if brute force won't work then you have to be smart about how you go about it.

Vernon

irwin · May 21, 2007

GeauxLSU said:
OK, just to be clear since I don't think some are appreciating the amount of force I applied.... The remaining tube is LOOSE. It can rotate 360 degrees and VERY easily swivels side to side. The amount of force I put on it (with the long 2x4 and leverage), I feel very confident was way more than I'll be able to put on it now since I have little/nothing to wedge under. Obviously it was strong enough to rip the tube apart. If I remember correctly the tip should be adustable based on what some of you are saying so I'm guessing that is option one if I can get some tools in there to grip the nuts. I've never removed the loader and am not really omfortable doing that without a mentor to witness it (and potentially report relevant details to the EMTs ).

Lopezian - you probably read about my auction experience. Is was not ideal. However, I was clearly informed here, that it was due to my own ignorance so I should just shut up about it. I'm trying to heed that advice despite this thread admitting as much yet again....

It's been four days since you last posted about this problem GeauxLSU, Well what happened ? did ya get it unglued? some closure please

2228 people have checked this thread out. let them know how you made out.

john_bud · May 23, 2007

irwin said:
It's been four days since you last posted about this problem GeauxLSU, Well what happened ? did ya get it unglued? some closure please
2228 people have checked this thread out. let them know how you made out.

Don't you people have anything more important to do? (not that I do...)

Like go over to GearLSU's house with a needle nose pliers in your left hand, a regular pliers in your right hand and loosen the grease adaptor up a turn so that it will just fall off? Lefty loosey.

jb

N80 · May 23, 2007

Just yank the dickens out of it. You might break the Zerk, but so what? I've broken them before. I just go over to my neighbor's shop and 'borrow' another one.

Or, as mentioned, remove the loader and remove Zerk and pipe together. Replace with new Zerk.

This aint brain surgery!

Also, consider a grease gun with a hose. It is more flexible for those tight spots and allows for a good crisp yank when you get a stubborn one.

But, I have to say, I bought a nice expensive grease gun with a hose. It is well built and a pleasure to use, except for the fact that it never seems to fit any two Zerks the same way. If I adjust it enough for it to come off the Zerk easily, it spews grease. Tighten it ever so slightly and it won't come off. Maybe its not the grease gun......I've become very suspicious of Kubota's Zerk fittings.

SPYDERLK · May 23, 2007

usually this stick only happens on a fitting that takes grease hard. The pressure tends to lock the grease head. I used to have trouble with this, but found, as others have said, that rocking the head side to side as you pull will always remove it in short order. A straight extreme pull may damage the nipple and make removal even harder. I think that is what happened to you.
larry

GeauxLSU · May 24, 2007

irwin said:
It's been four days since you last posted about this problem GeauxLSU, Well what happened ? did ya get it unglued? some closure please
2228 people have checked this thread out. let them know how you made out.

OK, I got back over there Sunday (sorry hadn't checked the boards) with my brother who was visiting from out of town and showed him my predicament. We tried bending the remaining tube 90 degrees under some misguided notion of his that that would allow for better griping and leverage.

When that predictably accomplished nothing he said "Why not just wedge a big flat headed screw driver tip between the fittings and twist?" I said, "No way I could put more pressure with a screw driver than I did previously when I broke the thing." I did it anyway to appease him and..... it came off 2nd try!

Well, maybe he's my OLDER brother for a reason?

irwin · May 25, 2007

GeauxLSU said:
OK, I got back over there Sunday (sorry hadn't checked the boards) with my brother who was visiting from out of town and showed him my predicament. We tried bending the remaining tube 90 degrees under some misguided notion of his that that would allow for better griping and leverage. When that predictably accomplished nothing he said "Why not just wedge a big flat headed screw driver tip between the fittings and twist?" I said, "No way I could put more pressure with a screw driver than I did previously when I broke the thing." I did it anyway to appease him and..... it came off 2nd try! Well, maybe he's my OLDER brother for a reason?

Alittle pressure and a lot of finesse is the most I've had to do with the thousands of zerks I've greased at work..finish that maint. and back to work.

Iplayfarmer · May 27, 2007

GeauxLSU said:
it came off 2nd try!

Good job. Congratulations!

GeauxLSU · May 27, 2007

Part two? Now after greasing all the fitings I could find, the lift arms won't lower the bush hog consistently? It will eventually drop but it used to operate without a flaw.

Jim_Fisher · May 28, 2007

GeauxLSU said:
Part two? Now after greasing all the fitings I could find, the lift arms won't lower the bush hog consistently? It will eventually drop but it used to operate without a flaw.

There should be a valve that controls the rate of drop. Try opening it a bit.

MarkV · May 28, 2007

Like Jim said it sounds like the control valve got turned accidentally. The valve is a round knob that sets below and in the front of the seat. It controls how fast the arms will drop.

Glad you got the grease gun loose. Those things that are suppose to be easy and don’t end up that way are very frustrating. I seem to always have a few in my projects.

MarkV

GeauxLSU · May 28, 2007

Thanks guys. Will do. It wasn't 'accidentally'. I thought it was.... nevermind....

jbrumberg · May 28, 2007

GeauxLSU said:
Thanks guys. Will do. It wasn't 'accidentally'. I thought it was.... nevermind....

GeauxLSU:

We all have had learning curves with our tractors; some of our "curves" are more accelerated than others

. I like your honesty and sense of humor

. Jay

TRUKFXR · May 31, 2007

JUST STUMBLED ON THIS THREAD. DON'T WANT TO ADMIT TO HOW MANY
YEARS I HAVE USED A GREASE GUN, BUT I NEVER KNEW THE TIP WAS
ADJUSTABLE. THAT EXPLAINS A LOT OF PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST WITH TOO TIGHT FIT OR IN SOME CASES TOO LOOSE.

jeffinsgf · May 31, 2007

TRUKFXR said:
JUST STUMBLED ON THIS THREAD. DON'T WANT TO ADMIT TO HOW MANY
YEARS I HAVE USED A GREASE GUN, BUT I NEVER KNEW THE TIP WAS
ADJUSTABLE. THAT EXPLAINS A LOT OF PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST WITH TOO TIGHT FIT OR IN SOME CASES TOO LOOSE.

Same here. 30 some years of yanking on the tight ones and cussing at the loose ones. Good thing I'm bored at work today.

GeauxLSU · May 31, 2007

I'm glad my unabashed ignorance has been able to help the shy.

BillyP · May 31, 2007

All I want to know is how do you adjust for fit cause I sure didn't know either

jeffinsgf · May 31, 2007

BillyP said:
All I want to know is how do you adjust for fit cause I sure didn't know either

It was briefly mentioned a couple of different times in this thread.

The end of your grease gun is knurled for a reason other than to make it pretty, I found out today. I have 3 grease guns (plus 2 I can't find), and they all work the same way. Right behind the end, there is a jamb nut. You may need to use a wrench on the jamb nut, but once you do, the end can be turned to either tighten or loosen the fit of the gun on the zerk. I just went out and tried it, and my brand new John Deere pneumatic grease gun can be adjusted from sloppy to "can't get it off..." on any zerk on the tractor. So can both of my old pistol grips.

This old dog learned his new trick for the day.