greasing the buttons on the rollers

[johnHD]

i thought about getting a button grease head for my grease gun.

i just went to napa and got regular zerks and installed them instead.

the threads are regular 1/8 npt.

less than 20 bucks problem solved...

john

[jdemaris]

i thought about getting a button grease head for my grease gun.

i just went to napa and got regular zerks and installed them instead.

the threads are regular 1/8 npt.

less than 20 bucks problem solved...

john

The problem with regular pointed grease fitting on bottom rollers is they get hit with rocks and damaged too easy.

[johnHD]

yes!

and for less than 2 bucks each i fugure they are consumable.

john

[JD440ICD2006]

I may missed a point here. Is it the extra cost of button heads over zerks? If so, you will spend a lot of time checking to see when one or more of the zerks have been broken off, and you run the risk of getting dirt inside which will destroy the roller bearings.
Button heads are the only way to go with the bottom rollers. Otherwise, the JD factory would have just used the cheaper zerks.

[boler76]

To eliminate dirt problems if a zerk breaks, use one zerk and install hex head plugs, then use the one zerk and remove the plugs when greasing, takes a little longer and time is money if you are working by the hr, but for hobbyist???

[jdemaris]

yes!

and for less than 2 bucks each i fugure they are consumable.

john

I grease my rollers ever time I take my crawler out for a days use. Last thing I want to have to do is jerk around with damaged grease fittings. I don't recall ever have a button-head get smashed so bad it wouldn't take grease. With the pointed zerks - I find enough damaged ones that are up high. I know they'd be nothing but trouble on the bottom rollers.

I can buy new 5/8" X 1/8" pipe button-head fittings for less then $2 each. I.e, an entire new set for 10 rollers is only $20. Not a huge investment. A button-head adapter for grease-gun is $20. Also not a huge investment.

[johnHD]

i didn't throw them away. i could put them back on if i needed to work in a pile of rocks.

unlikely at my place since most of it is bottom land.

it would be nice if i could find a set of adaptors as some of my pre 36 harley stuff uses the small ones.

john

[JD440ICD2006]

johnHD,

I run with the notion that folks can always do what they wish with their machines.
Keep in mind that it does not need to be a rock to break a zerk, it can be anything, sticks, even dirt packed up.
It is your call as to what you wish to do.

[johnHD]

jd,

you are probably correct. i should get the right tool for the job and keep the buttons.

for now i have the rollers greased and that is better than nothing at all!

john