Cleaning tractor loader/excavator grease joints.

[Gaspasser]

When greasing my zerks, I clean off the old grease that has oozed out of the joints and accumulated crusty dirt first. I go through multiple rags as the old grease can be quite tenacious and thick. Was wondering if folks use a solvent/spray that is paint safe to assist in cleaning off the grease. Thanks.

 

[#40Fan]

I personally don't do anything with it until the machine gets power washed. I do like keeping things cleaned and I wash more often than most people, just not enough that I don't get some grease accumulating.

 

[PHPaul]

Rubber gloves and a rag soaked in mineral spirits will help.

 

[GeoHorn]

Power Wash…then a gallon can of WD40 and a large pkg of paper towels. (Diesel fuel would likely be just as effective and cheaper…who’da’ ever thought that could one-day be suggested…. ..)

(I use WD40 in a 5 gal bucket of water instead of soap when washing some vehicular things… Results in a just-waxed clean vehicle with lubricated weatherseals and door-hinges etc. etc… especially good for keeping bare aluminum clean and preserved…)

 

[Gaspasser]

Thanks gang!

 

[NCL4701]

Couple times a year I brush it off by driving through stuff like this for a few hours bush hogging.

 

[Old Machinist]

Another mineral spirits user here.

 

[Trash Panda]

I leave the grease on all my equipment until it falls off, or it gets a pressure wash.

I always get on our employees and tell them that dirty pivot pins are cared for pivot pins.

 

[TheOldHokie]

When greasing my zerks, I clean off the old grease that has oozed out of the joints and accumulated crusty dirt first. I go through multiple rags as the old grease can be quite tenacious and thick. Was wondering if folks use a solvent/spray that is paint safe to assist in cleaning off the grease. Thanks.

I pump in fresh grease and get to work.

Dan

 

[GeoHorn]

The mechanic at the tractor-dealer was overheard to say (when a dirty/greasy tractor was being unloaded for service) : “Well… at last… a tractor that’s owned by someone who TAKES CARE of it!”

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I started using mineral spirits…but then got bored/tired/disinterested/squirreled and now I just “grease and go”.

I will get back to it one day….I promise…...

 

[Gaspasser]

I started using mineral spirits…but then got bored/tired/disinterested/squirreled and now I just “grease and go”.

I will get back to it one day….I promise…...

Yes, it is incredibly tedious and time consuming to clean all the joints first. Demotivating. Seems many just grease and go and if that means more motivation to grease more frequently, better than not greasing frequently enough. Thanks all.

 

[Caden]

I don't use a solvent but I wipe them before and after. If you clean them after greasing, there is less for dirt to stick to during use.

 

[B2710]

If I use anything, it is WD-40, usually carry a couple of rags when greasing, wipe before with one rag, pump some grease till I see it coming out of the joint and wipe again with a clean rag...

 

[mdhughes]

Like B2710, I used WD-40 to clean the grease off the L3901DT.

 

[JonM]

i only barely clean the grease just enough to get to a zerk or if a glob of old grease is about to fall off.