The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: arobwk on June 25, 2016, 04:39:47 pm

Title: Greasing a tractor
Post by: arobwk on June 25, 2016, 04:39:47 pm
Am a tad confused about greasing my new acquistion – a 2013 AGT 835 TS alpine tractor (front wheel steer, i.e. not articulated steering):  the manual mentions 3 types of grease, but no real guidance on what to use where.  I have not a clue about different greases or the effect of mixing different mineral based greases.  I should be most grateful for any thoughts/advice.

Specified greases: 
Calcium graphite (FUCHS renolit bfx – red) – for low speed/high load bearings, mechanical restrictions (?) and poor weather conditions
Calcium on mineral base with colloid graphite (INA GKS – black) – for low speed/high load bearings.
Barium complex (INA bapleks T2 – yellow) – for all types of bearings & parts which come into contact with water  [ Comment:  but surely, all tractor parts come into contact with water !! ]

Greasing points:

Hand brake lever coupling }
Foot brake pedal coupling } not too concerned about greasing these 3, but I mention anyway
Clutch pedal coupling }

3 pt linkage: 
Lift arms joints couplings
Lift cylinders top and bottom couplings

Front steering joints   (I want to get that right at least!)
Steering cylinder couplings

+ Cardon shaft

No mention of wheel bearings so I assume these are sealed/self-lubricating bearings.

Finally, am I worrying unnecessarily about grease specifications ?!

Thanks
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: Buttermilk on June 25, 2016, 05:50:51 pm
We just use bog standard grease on all our working farm tractors.
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: arobwk on June 25, 2016, 07:53:22 pm
We just use bog standard grease on all our working farm tractors.

And "bog standard" would be ... ?  (Ta)
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: Buttermilk on June 25, 2016, 09:46:49 pm
The cartridges on the counter at the local agricultural store. Nothing special or expensive.
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: pgkevet on June 25, 2016, 10:09:43 pm
I'll admit that i happily plaster standard lithium grease over my bits of farm machinery and sticky-out bits of tractor that either move or get other bits attached.. but I'd hesitate to recommend that for anyone else. There are so many ways that new alloys and composite materials might be used or assorted seal materials that there may be a reason for specifying a particular grease.
If the manual is unclear then ask the manufacturers directly for clearer advice.
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: arobwk on June 25, 2016, 10:57:23 pm
Ta both.  I think I'm getting the gist - routine application of any grease at all is better than neglect for want of the "right" grease! 

pgk - I will, indeed, query Agromehanika and/or RIKO UK, but was interested to know what others do.  Just one leaky, messy grease gun is quite enough for anybody to put up with - so I am of a mind that whatever will do for the steering joints will have to do for everything else!
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: winkhound on June 27, 2016, 06:52:14 pm
I would recommend John deere or jcb standard grease, you will not go wrong with them for all your uses. It is not like oils, which you must get right. Buy them in boxes of 36, use little and often and they will last you a very long time.

A decent gun is just as important. i use this http://www.macnaught.com.au/k29-01 (http://www.macnaught.com.au/k29-01)
i can honestly say it revolutionised my grease application experience!!!!
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: arobwk on November 22, 2016, 02:03:07 pm
Just to say, I went for a moly fortified lith' grease in the end, for everything.  Manual says every 50 hrs, but I'm greasing more regularly than that. 
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: henchard on November 22, 2016, 03:00:09 pm
I've got the bigger AGT and use bog standard grease.

However, I got fed up of cheap grease guns (that don't lock on properly or have enough pressure to push through blocked nipples) and bought a Fuchs Reiner which use their own grease cartridges.

http://www.fuchslubricants.com/reiner-grease-system (http://www.fuchslubricants.com/reiner-grease-system)
Title: Re: Greasing a tractor
Post by: arobwk on November 24, 2016, 08:08:31 pm
I won't check out the grease gun links (thanks anyway) because I bought a hefty one from my local tractor merchant.  "Bit pricey" I remarked.  "Yeah, but that's the only one we do because we reckon it's pretty good"  Can't remember brand, but I'm happy so far.