During the season, greasing gets rushed. A fitting hidden behind a shield or caked with mud gets skipped, and that joint wears or seizes. The off-season is a good time to go over each implement slowly with the operator’s manual, mark every fitting and get them all taking grease. For what the grade numbers mean, see grease NLGI grades.
Before you start
- Lower implements to the ground or onto solid stands. Never work under a raised implement held only by hydraulics.
- Shut off the tractor, remove the key and wait for moving parts to stop.
- Get the lubrication chart from each operator’s manual. Many list fittings by hours.
- Use one compatible grease where possible. Mixing grease thickener types can cause problems; check compatibility before switching.
Where fittings hide
Look behind PTO shields, on driveline U-joints and slip yokes, on wheel and gauge-wheel pivots, on loader and three-point pins, on cutter bar and reel bearings, and on gearbox output shafts. Driveline shafts often have fittings that line up only when the shaft is turned to a certain position.
Implement greasing checklist
- Wipe each fitting clean before attaching the gun so you are not pumping dirt into the joint.
- Pump until you see fresh grease at the seal, unless the manual limits the number of strokes for a sealed bearing.
- Replace broken or plugged fittings and fittings that will not take grease.
- Wipe off the purged old grease so it does not collect grit.
- Mark serviced fittings with a paint pen so missed ones stand out.
- Check pins and bushings for play while you are there, and note parts to order.
- Protect bare metal like hitch pins, PTO shafts and exposed cylinder rods during storage.
Frequently asked questions
How much grease should I pump into a fitting?
For most pins and bushings, until fresh grease appears at the edge of the joint. Sealed bearings can be damaged by over-greasing; follow the manual for those.
A fitting won’t take grease. What now?
Try cleaning or replacing the fitting first. If the joint itself is packed with hardened grease or rust, it may need to be disassembled and cleaned.
Can I mix different greases?
Not always. Different thickener types can be incompatible. Check compatibility or purge the old grease completely when changing types.
AMSOIL products for this job
- AMSOIL NLGI #2 Synthetic Polymeric Off-Road Grease. AMSOIL says: “Extends greasing intervals”; “Resists impact from shock loads”; “Excellent water resistance”.
- AMSOIL Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease. AMSOIL says: “Outstanding low-temperature pumpability and torque value, improving cold-season operability”; “Excellent load-carrying and EP performance for heavy and abusive loads”.
- AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Metal Protector. AMSOIL says: “Protects against the effects of salt, moisture and chemical corrosion”; “Leaves a long-lasting (up to several years), protective, wax-like, amber coating”.
Product wording above is quoted or summarized from amsoil.com. Read each product’s label and data sheet for directions.
Use AMSOIL’s official lookup guide to see what is listed for your vehicle or equipment, then order online whenever it suits you.