Powered grease guns

[CascadeScaper]

Hey everyone. I have a quick question. Is it worth spending $250 for a rechargeable 12 volt Lincoln grease gun? I've been thinking about buying one now that we're getting the excavator, that's alot of grease points between that machine and the skid steer. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[woberlin]

One of the best tools that I've ever bought. Works great! Check on E-bay, you can get a new one for alot less than $250. But before you get one, grease your excavator with an old fashioned hand pump one a couple of times-just so can appreciate it.

[CT18fireman]

I find the battery is always dead when I need it.

Make it a policy to grease whenever the machine is at home, even if it is on the trailer. I have an air gun for this.

I keep a regular hand pump model in the trailer box for on site greasing. You don't need to do the whole machine, just the parts that got into dirt, mud or water. Down by the bucket will need grease but not the top joint and such.

[DKinWA]

I've got a 12 volt lincoln (given to me) and it's a great time saver for me. I keep a battery in the charger and one in the pump and don't have a problem running out of battery power. I use it when greasing at home, but in the field I use a hand pump lincoln. Cat recommends bucket linkages, stick and boom get grease every 8-10 hours of use. I'd also recommend cleaning up excess grease once in awhile since it does tend to attract dust and dirt. I'd say I use around half a tube when I grease, so it takes a little while to make sure I get everything.

[coopers]

Our grease gun at work is powered by a LARGE air compressor. It's sweet. We can grease machines all day and get them done in a jip. It's so nice. My last job the guy purchased a battery powered grease gun and it didn't seem to have a lot of punch to it but maybe he just didn't charge the thing all the way. I don't know. But the air powered guns are nice.

Blake
WA

[CascadeScaper]

I think my dad says we have a pneumatic one that runs off the compressor in the shop. Problem is, our machines are never at home, they're always out on a site somewhere. I can get a 12V Lincoln with one battery for $190, but they offer the same gun with a second battery for another $60 which is a good way to go since buying the extra battery as an accessory costs $80. DK, I read in the 304CR's brochure and it said that lube points such as the upper linkage (stick, boom, etc.) need not be greased for 500 hrs. :dizzy That doesn't sound right, maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I'm going to do whatever my dealer tells me to do for maintenance. I'm a bit of a maintenance freak actually. I take care of all the work on the skid steer that way everything is done by me and there aren't any second guesses about who did what. I even keep track of what I do according to meter hours on the machine and record them on an Excel spreadsheet on my laptop for later review.

[DKinWA]

I just looked at the maintenance book and it says bucket linkage, quick coupler, boom and stick every 8 hours for the first 100. After that, everyday if you're working in "severe" conditions. Less severe conditions require less greasing. Most of the time I'd say I'm working in severe conditions, so I grease every day or 8-10 hours. The last thing I want is a bunch of pin wear that makes it difficult to control.

[will_gurt]

One can obtain a 12V Lincoln grease gun on ebay for around $160 USD. Get it you will not regret this gun. As stated,in a topic on this board, the battery will last for up to three tubes of grease in the warmer weather. An extra battery ,on ebay, goes for around $49 USD. I lube the nine or more pieces of equipment everyday. I was tired of trying to hold the tip on the fittings and pump the gun too.

[CascadeScaper]

Thanks for the replies guys. We'll look into one for sure.

[xkvator]

just my .02
i am a grease freak...will grease buckets, dipper, house swing more than once a day.
i use a Lincoln manual pistol grip gun with EP MOLY on my bobcat 751 & 331...if i had to grease 5+ machines i might consider the 12v. you need 3 hands sometimes if you use a lever type gun.
my 580K has a bit too many fittings for a manual gun, though
i don't leave machines on a job too often because of theft/vandalism so i grease with an air powered pump/16 gal. drum at home. :drinkup

[salesrep]

Spring Special

Recently made a special purchase of Lincoln’s 12 Volt PowerLuber Battery Operated Grease Guns. Guns are model 1244 and include two batteries, 110v charger and case. These guns are time savers and are
available while supplies last!

Qty Price (each)
1-2 $210.00
3 + $190.00

Reserve yours today!

[badranman]

Another vote for the 12v grease gun. I bought the two battery pack and never have a problem with dead batteries. It's a real time saver.

[will_gurt]

I added the second battery to my grease gun. One other option that I have is the 12 volt car charger. The 12 volt charger is nice for when I am not near electricity.

[CascadeScaper]

Salesrep, are you selling those guns for that price or did you find them somewhere on the net, etc.? $210 with 2 batteries is very appealing.

[salesrep]

Yes I am selling them at these prices.
Please contact me if interested.
Qty Price (each)
1-2 $210.00
3 + $190.00

[glsahl]

I've never used an electric gun,so can't give an opinion.Keep a Lincoln air gun on my truck,and have no complaints.Adjust trencher booms,excavator tracks,and it's never let me down.
The important thing is to have "A" grease gun.If you've never had to line bore a loader frame,or excavator stick,you have no idea just how important grease,of any brand,or grade,can be.A consistant grease schedule can make or break any machine.A serviceman who knows enough to clear debris from a zerk,before greasing,can be worth his weight in gold.
Overgreasing is better than the alternative,trust me.Blown grease seals only present a problem when grease isn't applied daily.Loader frames,excavator bucket linkages,and trencher pivot rings,need daily attention,and they get it,either from the lube man,or the mechanic,just depends on who the "BOSS" thinks is less expensive.

[salesrep]

"If you've never had to line bore a loader frame,or excavator stick,you have no idea just how important grease,of any brand,or grade,can be.A consistant grease schedule can make or break any machine."

I would certainly agree with the exception of the quality of grease being extremely advantageous. A quality grease will last longer betwen intervals, resist washout, repel dust/dirt, and hold up against shock loading. Saving a lot of money.

I sure wich I could get a few of you to try some of our grease. You'd never go back.
http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/221.pdf
http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/229.pdf
http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/238.pdf

[2004F550]

I disagree, our guys are instructed to use just the right amount and they must wipe it all down and get the excess off. These machines cost way to much to let grease run all over them and oil etc. We find with power guns, unless the guy knows what he is doing ,overgreasing occurs way too much. The power greasers in our company belong to foreman and the crusher operator.

[glsahl]

I disagree, our guys are instructed to use just the right amount and they must wipe it all down and get the excess off. These machines cost way to much to let grease run all over them and oil etc. We find with power guns, unless the guy knows what he is doing ,overgreasing occurs way too much. The power greasers in our company belong to foreman and the crusher operator.
How do you measure "the right amount"?
How much grease is "right" for a loader that accures 7.5hrs per day?Is 4.75lbs of EP1 grease sufficent for a Cat EL300 on a 40 manhour per week basis?
Look foreward to your response.

[CT18fireman]

I agree with GS, it is not like a tie rod boot in a car that will blow out and leak it is a machined area for the grease to sit in. I also like clean machines, but they must work for a living. Grease is going to run out in operation as well. Whether air, batery or pump, all you need is to force the old out and have clean grease in. Can't really overdue it, the grease will just come out.

Finally there may be better brands than others, I won't comment on that, but the point that any grease is better then none is just that, not to say all greases are the same. I could use cooking lard, to some effect to limit wear over nothing at all.

[2004F550]

I mean a holes that hold the trigger down and let grease flow out and all over the boom etc, obivously, when grease comes out from the bushings and ends of pins etc you have done enough, after this period you can just watch the grease come spewing out and the continued applying of grease does nothing to extend equipment life, just make a huge mess of everything. Our machines generally work 10 hour days and we grease in the morning with this method. We have the usualwear but nothing more, and our machines aren't wrecked by grease everywhere, inside cab, on glass, etc. We take pride in our machines and believe they are the billboards of our company, we are able to keep our machines clean and spotless but also in good working condition, it just takes more time to do everything this clean and I know some people don't see it as important as us, its just our idea. Experience tells when you have greased enough I guess, that why inexperienced men at our company don't grease, they degrease.

[CT18fireman]

I guess some people really don't know how to grease then. Pretty simple IMO. I have never seen machines with grease all over them, just around the fittings and bushings.

[2004F550]

Well im talking about severe duty and large equipment. And im referring to grease blobs etc on the booms of machines and everywhere else that wouldn't be there unless too much grease was used. Maybe that doesn't happen down your way but up here it is comon.

[glsahl]

Greased on a daily basis,each fitting should only take a few(3-4) strokes,by a hand gun.I've got a guy who can grease a 96 IH 5000 dump,with pup,on less than a tube,in a hand gun.I never have grease related problems with his truck.
I went through 5 tubes on a 99 Sterling water truck last week,and stopped as soon as I saw grease movement at each fitting.Three days later I had to put a shaft kit in the sprayer pump due to bearing failure.
I won't argue brands,because I don't believe one brand protects longer,than another,without regular intervals.I've dealt with cheap products,and good practices,and good products,with poor practices,and would take the former,over the latter,anyday.
A grease gun,like any tool,or firearm,is only as "good" as the person wielding it.

[2004F550]

good post, btw our water truck did kind of the same thing, the pto shaft always has problems and leaks etc

[CT18fireman]

GS, you nailed it. I couldn't agree more.

From mowers to excavators, I constantly see stuff being run dry.

I has a guy call me last week when his tie rod broke in his truck. Went out to look, it had rusted and the joint fell apart, NO GREASE. He was risking his life because of laziness.

[salesrep]

ct18firemen "I could use cooking lard, to some effect to limit wear over nothing at all."
Very true. Some grease is better than no grease.

On a side note Schaeffer's first grease was a form of lard
From our website.
"Schaeffer is 160 Years Old

Stories are told of how miners in Alaska in the 1850s used Black Beauty grease on their faces to protect themselves from wintry weather where temperatures reached down to 60 below zero. Because the grease was made of animal fats, it was said that miners even used it to fry their eggs making Black Beauty one of the earliest multi-purpose greases. After 1859, the company turned to petroleum as the base of its lubricating products which improved its performance in transport and industrial applications but precluded its use in food preparation."
http://www.schaefferoil.com/


2004f550"Our machines generally work 10 hour days and we grease in the morning with this method. We have the usualwear but nothing more,
What is usual where? Versus limited wear or excessive wear?

glsahl"I won't argue brands,because I don't believe one brand protects longer,than another,without regular intervals."
Sorry with all due respect I can not leave this one alone. There is a HUGE difference in qualities of greases including base stocks, additive packages, thickeners, reversabilities just to name a few.
A "good" grease like oils can save a company thousands of dollars.

[CascadeScaper]

Salesrep, how does one choose the best grease for their operation? I would like some input on what we should be using.

[salesrep]

cascadescarper. As you might suspect there are a lot of variables in grease just as there is with oils. here are some of the basics.

Thickener. Most of what I run across is lithiium-complex. Not near as water resistant as aluminum complex or calcium which are waterproof. What % of thickener versus oils and additives?

Base stocks of the oils in grease. Most are a napethenic base. Not near as good as paraffin or syn based which will hold up to temps and oxidation much better.

Reversability is very important many are only 50-60%. A good one will be closer to 100.

What kind of anti-wear additives are there and what %

Extreme pressure agents?

Antioxidants?

Tactifier?

Does it resist shock loading?

nlgi grade? Most common is #2 #1 will better in lower temps. Perhaps #3 in consistent high temps.

Different guys like different greases for different reasons depending on their specific appps and/or tastes. In this business one can find one or two greases that will fit the bill for all their needs.

I call on folks all the time who step over dollars to pick up dimes, on the other hand others will spend dollars and pick up several dimes year after year after year, save money and protect equip better by using a good grease and oils.


A quality grease may be priced a little higher, but the real value and cost is the bottom line costs over time and how well does it protect your equipment.

[Kevin]

I just purchased a truck from a guy that had an empty grease tube in the toolbox. The guy picked up the tube and told me if I ever could get my hands on this grease I would never use anything else. He said his backhoe is loose and he normally greases it twice a day to keep it from clinking and clanking. He claimed it would go for at least two days on a greasing using this "wonder grease". He was very impressed with this stuff. He said it could only be purchased from a traveling salesman or probably special ordered. I have not looked into it but after reading this thread I got the empty tube from my truck. The tube reads THC #880 c+c NLG1 #2 Texas Refinery. I normally use Gulf grease because thats what the local garage carries, but I just bought a case at Wal Mart for less than a buck a tube. It could be roofing tar in a tube for all I know. It sounds like the stuff Sales Rep is selling has a lot in common with this THC grease that I was told about. The chemial properties of grease don't hold my attention for very long but tell me I only have to use a pain in the ass grease gun once a week rather than once a day and I'm listening. Sales Rep, it might be good for business if you sent a case of your product to the founder of this site to evaluate for us.

Kevin

[CascadeScaper]

salesrep - Yeah, I understand what you're saying. Would it be wise to use what our Cat dealer is using to grease their machines? Chances are they're using pretty high quality stuff? Just a thought, maybe someone has an opinion otherwise? Thanks. The 303CR should be here on Tuesday, I want to get an idea of what we should be greasing it with before it gets here.

[Kevin]

Here is a link to the "wonder grease" that I was told about. http://www.texasrefinerylubricants.com/lubricants_specialty_products/grease/880crown_chassis_grease.htm


Kevin

[salesrep]

"Would it be wise to use what our Cat dealer is using to grease their machines? Chances are they're using pretty high quality stuff?"
Hard to say without knowing exactly what they are using. Chances are it is better than the average grease, but like many dealers/service co.s they are not going to go overboard on product or will use their own name brand which is never as good as the best greases out there but usually better than the average.

"but tell me I only have to use a pain in the ass grease gun once a week rather than once a day and I'm listening."
That Kevin, is indeed the "salespitch" Will the Schaeffer's grease last 5 times longer? Maybe. Will it last 2-3 times longer. DEFINITLY.
"Sales Rep, it might be good for business if you sent a case of your product to the founder of this site to evaluate for us. "

I will indeed send Steve a 10 pack and trust that He will give it a fair and proper test.

[Kevin]

Sales Rep,

I will look forward to Steve's report on your product. When I was a marine dealer there was always a similar debate over the generic brands of two stroke oil and the more expensive manufacturer's brands of oil. I could never look a customer in the eye and tell them the more expensive oil was a better product untill I had first hand evidence myself. After a few years in business I had customers that used only the good oils and customers that bought the cheapest oil they could find. The cheaper oils caused rings to stick, skuffed pistons ,fouled plugs on as little as two tanks of fuel and so much carbon build up in exhaust tuners that I had to pull the powerheads and chisel out the carbon buildup. I ended up buying the good oil in lots of four 55 gal drums and by doing so could sell good oil at the same price as the cheap stuff to customers that brought in thier own containers to be filled. I have never given much thought to grease untill now but I like the theory of less grease gun use and less mess to clean up. How expensive is a tube of your grease and how small a lot do you sell or is it sold through a retailer ?

Kevin

[CascadeScaper]

When our sales guy delivered our 303 on Thursday, I asked him what grease we should be using and hee said either Cat brand or Power Punch. We're already using Power Punch on our skid steer and haven't seen premature bushing slop after 350 hours, so I think we're going to continue using Power Punch on both machines. Most expensive stuff you can buy at Napa and our sales guy honestly said it was just as good as the Cat stuff they use in the shop.

[Kevin]

Thanks, kind of hard to forget a name like PowerPunch. My local Gulf dealer doesn't carry Gulf grease any more and the stuff I bought at Wal Mart was running out of the bushings as fast as I pumped it in. I don't use enough to buy a 50 tube case of the good stuff so I'll check out Napa and get some PowerPunch.

Kevin

[PSDF350]

anyone know if the mobil 1 synthetic grease is any good.

[salesrep]

Good for wheel bearings.
Poor heat and moisture properties and tends to emulsify quickly.. Low on tactifies and reversability.

[PSDF350]

thanks salesrep

[PSDF350]

You guys ever heard of these? Looks nice looking for opions.

www.lumaxlubrication.com/main/product.php?productid=10&display=features

Looking to get something like this becuase skidder has like 30-40 grease points and sick of doing manually.

[PSDF350]

With the lack of comments on above grease gun I went ahead and bought a lincoln 12v with 2 batteries for 162.99 on ebay today. Plus a field charger for 23.99. For both deliverd it came to 193.97. Now can't wait to get it and not having to do by hand :slomo

[Steve Frazier]

When it comes to lubrication, Lincoln has always been a dependable brand. I have no experience with these power guns, but their hand pumps have always been good to me.

[PSDF350]

Thanks Steve. I knew Lincoln was a good quility product thats why when I found this one for the price and hearing nothing good or bad about the other one I figuired to good a price to pass up. That other one does look like a nice one though. I just know that greasing this skidder is a royal pain with all it's zerks. That I wanted something to make it a bit easier on my hands. There are like 30 or so grease points.

[will_gurt]

When it comes to lubrication, Lincoln has always been a dependable brand. I have no experience with these power guns, but their hand pumps have always been good to me.

Well, I have had time with the Lincolin gun. Never have looked back at the manusal gun since. I can pump about three tubes of grease with a battery before needing a recharge in the summer or warmer weather. Colder weather cuts this to around two tubes.

[Stroker]

With the lack of comments on above grease gun I went ahead and bought a lincoln 12v with 2 batteries for 162.99 on ebay today. Plus a field charger for 23.99. For both deliverd it came to 193.97. Now can't wait to get it and not having to do by hand :slomo

Same here, we may have purchased from the same person!

Lincoln 1244 w/ 2 batteries.. $159.95 + $6.50 for shipping. Was the cheapest "Buy It Now" price I could find. It pays to search ebay thoroughly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45015&item=7565962012

[PSDF350]

It sure does Stroker. But I must of missed that one. Oh well just a couple dollar differance.

[Stroker]

It sure does Stroker. But I must of missed that one. Oh well just a couple dollar differance.


I almost purchased one from the same seller for $169. The guy had atleast 5 or 6 auctions up at one time for the exact same gun and they were all different prices. Anywhere from $159-$179

I noticed other sellers were doing the same thing. I can't say as I understand the tactic.....

[PSDF350]

I noticed that the guy I bought mine from for 162 also had one for like 20 or so cheaper. But it turned out that it came with only one battery. So I spent the extra to get 2 batteries.

[atgreene]

Anyone else had issues with the licoln batteries. Mine are lasting less than a year each before they won't take a charge. At $70.00 per pop, it is a little pricey to have to replace a battery each year.

I've run Texas Refinery for years. My father put me onto it from years ago when he was in excavating. I don't use anything else, so I don't know what to compare it to, other than some valvoline we used to use where I worked. I know it holds-up better than that.

[atgreene]

I'm going to bump this back up to ask a question, anyone using Amsoil? My Amsoil dealer wants me to try it, and I'm out of Texas Refinery. The Texas stuff worked ok, not real impressed on the bucket pins on the excavator, as it seemed to go away after 4-5 hours of digging, and my top knuckle will squeek 8 hours after greasing it.

I also am looking to go to 35 lb. pails and refill my guns that way. My 12 v lincoln quit, and I'm thinking that for the $70 or so each year I spent on batteries and the $200 to go to the new 14 v, I may be better off with hand pump or air off the truck.

Is bulk barrel grease worth it, or stay with tubes?

[nedly05]

My lincoln batteries are only 6 months old and they already don't hold a charge all that great.:Banghead

[KSSS]

I have used Amsoil grease. I did not really think it was all that great. I am a big believer in Amsoil but the grease was not that impressive at least to me. My wife was happy I stopped using it. That crap does not come out of clothes and stains everything it touches.

[Bob Horrell]

I have switched to Salesrep's grease and have found it to be good. I was previously using a grease from Lubrication Engineers that was excellent. I tried Salesrep's grease and found it to be just as good but a cheaper.
KSSS, try spraying a heavy concentrate of simple green on the grease spots on your clothes before they go in the laundry. They will come out clean as new. Also, when wiping excess grease off the equipment, a rag wet with simple green cleans really well.

[Jeff D.]

I guess I'll need to be looking at one of those electric grease guns too, now. My old lever style has been acting up pretty often lately. It cavitated and quit pumping three times in one tube tonight.:Banghead

These Lincoln's electric's, do they need to be purged of air and all that stuff every time you're switching tubes, or can you just slide the tube in, thread the body on, and go?

That would sure be nice if it did!!:cool2

[PSDF350]

I guess I'll need to be looking at one of those electric grease guns too, now. My old lever style has been acting up pretty often lately. It cavitated and quit pumping three times in one tube tonight.:Banghead

These Lincoln's electric's, do they need to be purged of air and all that stuff every time you're switching tubes, or can you just slide the tube in, thread the body on, and go?

That would sure be nice if it did!!:cool2

Yes but just 1/2 3/4 thread let spring lever thingy:beatsme go and tighten should be all set to go.

[JDOFMEMI]

I have switched to Salesrep's grease and have found it to be good. I was previously using a grease from Lubrication Engineers that was excellent. I tried Salesrep's grease and found it to be just as good but a cheaper.
KSSS, try spraying a heavy concentrate of simple green on the grease spots on your clothes before they go in the laundry. They will come out clean as new. Also, when wiping excess grease off the equipment, a rag wet with simple green cleans really well.

Not to hijack the thread, but I would like to put in a plug for salesreps grease as well. Only difference is I get it in a 500 gallon tote, and refill barrels out of it for our lube trucks.
Good stuff.
Hard to clean up, but that also means it stays where you put it

[Bob Horrell]

Salesrep's grease also cleans up real good with simple green.

[KSSS]

Someone clue me in on the salesman's grease. I will take note of the Simple Green trick.

[Countryboy]

Someone clue me in on the salesman's grease. I will take note of the Simple Green trick.

Here is his site: Shaeffer (http://www.specializedlubricants.net/)

I'm sure if you send him a PM, he can give you some more info.

Look up "salesrep" in the member list. :thumbsup

[N.B.CONCRETE]

I use Lincoln too and find batteries the weak point. I use Irving grease because its readily available here.

[unimog]

I use Schaeffer products myself, they are great. I use some redline products in other applications but for industrial use Schaeffer is about the best. I hear Cen-Pe-Co is good but Schaeffer is available locally for me.

[biggixxerjim]

I have switched to Salesrep's grease and have found it to be good. I was previously using a grease from Lubrication Engineers that was excellent. I tried Salesrep's grease and found it to be just as good but a cheaper.
KSSS, try spraying a heavy concentrate of simple green on the grease spots on your clothes before they go in the laundry. They will come out clean as new. Also, when wiping excess grease off the equipment, a rag wet with simple green cleans really well.

WD-40 will work WONDERS on any greasy stain.... saturate the area, scrub it down a little, throw it in the wash, and PRESTO!!!!:cool2

[Countryboy]

Try rubbing Gojo into the stains. I've always had good luck with that. :yup