Zerk fails to take a grease shot

[meos1]

I went over the entire machine yesterday. Even cleaned up the glops that push out at the edges. I had one fitting on the piston that actuates the bucket and one that is in the lower of the passenger side actuator for the arms of the FEL that wont take grease. Is it the zerk? or the nozzle. Seems some one posted aboiut a super dooper nozzle for a grease gun. Thoughts? Just change them out?

 

[JRobyn]

Not unusual for a zerk or two to not take grease. Take a nail or other pointed implement and make sure the tiny little check ball in the center of the fitting will push down easily. If it is not stuck, then the old grease in the fitting/joint may be hardened. Or the joint just happened to be in a orientation that makes it very difficult for new grease to get in. Try repositioning the joint and try again. It is important to have a good fit of the grease gun nozzle on the fitting. The "lock-and-lube" nozzle has gotten very good reviews on TBN; LockNLube Grease Coupler

- Jay

 

[eddie48]

Don't know how old your machine is, but I have had some older equipment that wouldn't take grease. A little heat to soften up the old, hardened grease and new grease went right in.

 

[dave1949]

There is a tool for blocked zerks:
IPA Grease Fitting Cleaner | Hoses, Valves Fittings| Northern Tool + Equipment

You can buy a lifetime supply of zerks for the $30 price of the tool though. :laughing:

Did you try moving the FEL arm to a different position? Sometimes you end up with most of the pin pressure right at the zerk outlet and moving relieves that.

 

[PILOON]

As said above, light tap with small hammer to dislodge the little ball (check valve) or some heat from a plumbers torch.

 

[oosik]

I have the lock-n-lube grease fitting. Its handy - on the end of a rubber hose, it lets you work the grease gun with both hands. However - I've had fittings that refuse to take grease and the lock-n-lube is no help. My cure - reorient the area that the zerk is on. In other words - fire up the tractor and extend, retract, rotate, slide, etc, etc that part and 9 times out of 10 the fitting will accept grease. If all else fails - replace the zerk with a new one.

 

[Vtnewbie]

I don't recommend using heat any more...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...stuck-grease-zerk.html?highlight=#post3486118

 

[hosspuller]

I agree with not heating a zerk fitting. When the grease is hardened, the dealer's method is to take the Zerk fitting off then heat the joint with a torch. Screw the fitting back on, then pump new grease displacing the old grease.

 

[Loadstar]

Just take it out and make sure it's clear and the area is not loaded like others said. I would recommend spraying penetrating oil in instead of heat to soften harden grease. Had a locked up prop in a Hartzel make up air unit. I pulled grease lines sprayed Kroil in bearings, cut belts, and pulled sheave. I went to the end of prop and pulled and pushed to no avail, it was locked tighter than a drum. I left it and quoted the bearing change. Next time I was there I walked by and it was running. I shut it down and climbed in.... Same Bearings! Maintenance guys said it when they looked at it it was freed up. So they put it back together and let it eat. Guess the Kroil loosened the hardened grease. That is what I use now when I pull a zerk and grease has hardened. Fan is going on year four on same bearings. Lol (attached fan and burner pic)

 

[gwdixon]

Others touched on it, but I take out the Zerk and attach it to the gun nozzle. If the gun will squirt grease through it, then it is not the Zerk (or the Zerk is now cleared).

Then I dig out the grease from the Zerk hole with a screwdriver and fill it with penetrating fluid. Screw the Zerk back in and all should go fine from there.