Put a Little Grease on It
Myles Clifton
PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI
Dealing with ever rising cost of new and even used equipment can at times be overwhelming. Even though the cost of replacement parts isn’t getting any cheaper at times it can be more cost effective to keep an older piece of equipment going for awhile longer than trying to replace it. Of corse the best way to keep an older well used piece of equipment around for awhile longer is to regular maintenance it.
Greasing equipment is sometimes a job that can be pushed off. Being in too big of a rush to take the time to do it. But when it comes to some of those older pieces around the farm a regular shot of grease is one of the best things for it. Keeping joints and chains properly lubricated is a regular chore to tend to as well. The problem with not regularly maintaining bearings and chains isn’t only putting wear on those particular parts. Bearings that aren’t regularly grease can put excessive wear on shafts, housings and more. Dry and dirt covered roller chains can prematurely wear out sprockets and bearings being driven by the chain. It’s a quick way to end up with more trouble and more cost when it comes to repair.
We sometimes take those less used older pieces of equipment for granted. You may convince yourself that you only use that three point blade, or that old feed grinder so many times a year. Why bother wasting half a tube of grease on it? It only takes so many uses until parts start to go. You may only use that box blade a few times a year. But, eventually one year after another and the use starts to show. Suddenly, one day a wheel bearing goes out and you find not just the bearing is out but the spindle is worn from the bearing running so dry for so long.
But the same goes for those thing we use every day or often during one season of the year. Come summer time and through the winter that loader is being used for weeks moving hay across the field, in and out of the hay shed, out across the feed lot. Before you know it weeks, or even a month has gone by and not a single pin on that loader has had a shot of grease. Metal on metal moving 1,200 pound bales all day long is a good way to cause excessive wear.
But these days when it comes to proper daily maintenance the job is easier than it used to be. Cordless/battery operated grease guns are one the best cordless tools anyone has even thought of. The bigger implements become the more grease fittings they have. By the time you’ve finished with 50 grease fittings with a regular manual grease gun your hand really starts to feel it. Not only does a battery operated grease gun save your hand from cramping up, they also tend to pack a little extra power to help grease get in some of those tougher taking grease fittings. Not to mention they’re no problem to prime up when you start a new tube.
Another great item on the market for grease guns are locking grease couplers. Nothing is more aggravating than having grease squirt out all over a fitting instead of in the fitting. A good quality locking grease coupler can lock on the grease fitting and actually get the grease where it needs to be.
You can make your job easier with grease guns and locking grease coupler made by Macnaught from Clifton Tool and Supply. Plus, take it a step further with a brand new DeWalt or Milwaukee battery powered grease gun. Contact me today at (573)517-1242. Don’t forget to check us out of Facebook at Clifton Tool & Supply. ∆