How to Use Grease Guns
Overview
What is a grease gun?
A grease gun is a tool used to apply grease under pressure in scenarios where a quick smear with your gloved finger won’t suffice. They can be manual, pneumatic, or electric, large or small, with a flexible hose or a solid tube. Before looking at grease guns for sale it’s important to consider how you intend to use your grease gun.
What are grease guns used for?
Grease guns are used for applying grease through the grease nipples found on your car, and even more so on industrial machinery. On your car, a grease gun will be used to lubricate universal joints and suspension components. Grease gun fittings can be found all over industrial equipment including tractors, forklifts, construction machinery, trucks and more. A range of extra grease gun accessories can also be purchased, giving your grease gun a variety of uses around the home.
Types of grease guns
Grease guns are available as manual operation, driven by air, or powered by a battery. Manual grease guns are simple and easy for use at home and occasional use in a professional workshop setting. But if you need some serious grease gun pressure for heavy machinery and frequent use, you’ll be better served by an air or battery powered grease gun.
Grease guns also come in a few sizes and formats. Smaller ones are great to keep in a four wheel drive for quick lubrication on long adventures, or occasional use at home. If you’re using a grease gun regularly, you’ll appreciate a larger model which requires refilling less often.
Supercheap Auto has a range of grease guns including pistol grease guns and trigger grease guns, check out the ToolPRO range of grease guns.
How do grease guns work?
Grease guns work by applying grease under pressure to lubrication points. The grease gun must first be loaded with suitable grease for your task. Most grease guns can use either a grease cartridge, or be bulk loaded from a bucket. Once loaded the grease gun must be primed and then it is ready to use.
Steps
How to load a grease gun
Begin by unscrewing the gun head from the grease tube. Grip the grease tube firmly, and with the other hand; pull back the rod handle - and lock this into position.
How to prepare a grease gun cartridge
Now choose a grease cartridge to suit the task at hand. Remove the end cap and slide the cartridge into the grease gun tube. Remove the foil or plastic from the other end of the cartridge and you are ready to screw the gun head back onto the tube. Leave it loose one turn for now.
How to prime a grease gun
Release the rod handle at the base of your grease gun and press it in. You may hear some air release. Now pull the trigger until grease comes out – after which you can fully tighten the gun head to the tube.
Bulk loading – Bucket Technique
If you have a bulk bucket of grease, loading a grease gun can also be done using this bulk loading grease gun technique. Remove the gun head from the tube as before, but instead of pulling back the rod handle – dip the end of the tube into your grease and plunge it into the bucket as you slowly pull back the rod – and lock it into position. Now screw the grease gun head back onto the tube and continue with priming as per step 3.
Bulk loading – By Hand Technique
You can also pack the grease into the tube by hand – although this is a bit messier. With the grease tube removed and rod handle pulled out and locked; remove any spent cartridge and proceed to pack the tube by hand.
How to use a grease gun
If the grease gun is loaded correctly, just press the end of the nozzle over a grease nipple and pump the trigger or lever to lubricate a point.
Troubleshooting a grease gun
Grease gun not pumping? Let’s trouble shoot that. This happens if your grease gun pressure is low due to an air pocket in the gun. On larger grease guns, this can be released by pumping the gun a few times and pressing the air release valve. Continue this until grease starts flowing again. On other guns; just loosen the cartridge tube a turn or two. This should release the air – then pump until the grease comes out; and re-tighten the tube. With this know-how under your belt, you’ll get years of trouble-free service from your ToolPRO Grease Gun.
FAQs
What type of grease is good with a grease gun?
The best grease for grease gun use all comes down to what you intend to grease. The two most versatile grease types you may like to use in a grease gun are molybdenum disulfide for high pressure applications, or lithium grease for a brilliant general purpose solution. Wheel bearing grease may also be handy if you find yourself often working with wheel bearings.
How much pressure does a grease gun typically produce?
The amount of pressure a grease gun can produce depends on the size of the grease gun, whether it is lever or pistol grip, and whether it is manually, pneumatically, or battery powered. On the low end it can be 3000 PSI while the upper end can be a whopping 10,000 PSI.
Why is my grease gun not pumping?
If your grease gun is not pumping, it usually means that air has entered the grease gun somewhere. You can perform a quick bleed by unscrewing the grease tub one or two turns, operating the grease gun until grease comes out; and then tightening the grease tube once again.
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