{"id":45,"date":"2010-10-04T00:20:06","date_gmt":"2010-10-04T04:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/?p=45"},"modified":"2010-10-17T23:01:55","modified_gmt":"2010-10-18T03:01:55","slug":"buy-a-grease-gun-or-your-tractor-will-die-more-at-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/?p=45","title":{"rendered":"Buy a Grease Gun or Your Tractor Will DIE! More at 11."},"content":{"rendered":"
\"LA<\/a>

We meet again...<\/p><\/div>\n

Last week<\/a>, I said I was going to post about a new project I’ve been working on, or there would be another tractor maintenance post<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0We got the tail end of Tropical Storm Nicole on Thursday and Friday, and the storm won. \u00c2\u00a0More on that soon.<\/p>\n

If you end up with a front end loader at some point, you will get more life out of it with the following tips:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u00c2\u00a0Buy, read, and understand the manual for your loader. \u00c2\u00a0If you purchased your tractor new or from a solid source, you probably already have one. \u00c2\u00a0If not, there are several<\/a> sources<\/a> available<\/a> online<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0 Follow that manual, it will tell you about the required regular maintenance.<\/p>\n

2. \u00c2\u00a0Check to make sure the attachment points are locked down. \u00c2\u00a0I have to hand tighten a wedge nut and lock nut on either side of the load frame, and two more on the front of the tractor. \u00c2\u00a0I check these out of habit before I take the tractor out and use it.<\/p>\n

\"Kubota<\/a>

L: Wedge pin with lock nut. R: Front attachment. <\/p><\/div>\n

3. \u00c2\u00a0Check the bucket for damage. \u00c2\u00a0The corners<\/a> of this bucket need some serious repair, and the bucket is looking pretty tired overall. \u00c2\u00a0I’ll have to do something about that.<\/p>\n

\"Bucket<\/a>

about 600 hours of use takes its toll on a front loader. <\/p><\/div>\n

\"Using<\/a>

I couldn't find an orange grease gun to match. <\/p><\/div>\n

4. \u00c2\u00a0Every 10 hours, grease every zerk\/fitting\/nipple on the loader. \u00c2\u00a0Make sure to\u00c2\u00a0clean<\/a> the old grease off the zerk first, and leave a dab of fresh grease on it when you’re done. \u00c2\u00a0Use the type of grease specified in your manual. \u00c2\u00a0Pump the grease in until you see fresh<\/a> grease coming out of the joint like in this picture.<\/p>\n

Both ends of a hydraulic cylinder should have a zerk. \u00c2\u00a0 Every<\/a> pivot<\/a> in the loader should have a zerk as well. \u00c2\u00a0You might have to lift the tractor to get access or even see all of them. \u00c2\u00a0If a zerk snaps off don’t panic, but make sure to replace it ASAP. \u00c2\u00a0Bigger fancier (newer) tractors might have centralized greasing systems, but mine doesn’t. \u00c2\u00a0For now.<\/p>\n

Make sure to check out the gallery and links for more detailed pictures! \u00c2\u00a0See you next time!<\/p>\n