How to fix Blocked Grease Zerk / Tractor Will Not Take Grease

If you own any equipment, at some point you will have a Grease Zerk not take grease. Tractor loader or backhoe pin not taking grease is more common because they are always in the dirt. Our loader manufacturer recommends greasing the loader every 8 hours of use. I am fairly good at greasing my loader and backhoe at every use, but still, I had a clogged grease port. I have never seen one grease fitting clog being greased as often as I grease my loader, but I had two happen at once. We think we have narrowed down sawdust as the cause. We were moving bucket loads of sawdust from the sawmill, and it is very fine dust. I hope by showing how we fix this problem, It gives someone else the confidence to fix your clogged grease zerk too.
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[@BismuthKaiju]

Love the "I'm not gonna say it, I'm gonna say it.. *hesitates* That went in way easier than I thought it would." So relatable, don't want to curse yourself haha. Great video, got a tractor that is sheering the bolts holding them in place.. which is a bad bad sign, but thanks to this video I know what I need to do. 2 years later and you helped me out. Thanks!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

You are welcome.

[@HometownAcres]

Excellent demonstration of grease fittings. Tons of good information for new tractor owners here

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you Adam

[@camowen8358]

It was you who got ur ring finger caught in there! Jk this was an awesome video, this will definitely help me in the field! Thank you Tony

[@jstoutimore]

Good video. The main pins on my tractor's loader would not take grease. I found that changing the pressure points on the pins moved the pin tolerance-gap enough to admit grease. So, instead of trying to grease the pins with the loader at rest, I down-pressured enough to raise the front end of the tractor. With the pins under this strain, they admitted grease.

[@SomeSunshineOutside]

i just love this terminology

[@smallfarminnovations4265]

Much needed video Tony...I tell all my customers to grease the loader every 50 engine hours. The proper method is grease each pivot point every 10 hours of loader operation. Grease until you hear it or see it. A NGLI Lithium No 1.5 or No 2 is recommended. Always clean the area before greasing and wipe the excess away. Brake Clean or starting fluid is a easy way to clean.

[@markd2858]

Great video and good safety info for those that don’t realize that equipment will bite you if you let it.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Right on

[@SKEvolved]

Great video with excellent information explained in a clear way. Perfect work, sir. -Steve

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gijo5088]

i actually had to do this today and glad i watched your video.. I went out to wash off my 264 after removing some stumps from the yard yesterday. One pin wouldn't take grease so i had to remove it. You all may want to check and make sure your grease fittings are snug too because mine where all loose.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I had a few of mine loose too.

[@lukejohnson4708]

Great video never Seen the grease lock hose going to have to invest in one hope y’all have a blessed day in the lord

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

God bless you and your family.

[@davida.p.9911]

When you see the little "grease worm" you know you're good! 😄 Good job Tony! Thanks for the instruction!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Nothing like fixing something. Thank you for watching.

[@kurtbrown9618]

Great informative video and easy to follow - well done! I've had to change a zerk but never the pin and this will help when I need to address a clogged pin - thanks

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad it helped!

[@chrismichels4616]

Great video. Reminds me that I need to fix a pin on the suspension on an old horse trailer that won’t take grease. Unfortunately it is a pretty rusted and will not be as easy to pull as that was. Your practicality, experience and real world problems are a major reason I subscribe to your channel. Thanks for all you put into it.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Your comment made me smile. Thank you for that. If we have a problem, then we try to show it in hopes we can make life better for someone else.

[@MrTks1959]

Thank you, it is great to watch someone with skills explain how to resolve a problem.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you so much. I appreciate your support.

[@carlosjoelgarcia3200]

I never understood the mechanism of the Zerks and the pin bolt (not a mechanic). But this video takes the unknown out. Thank you for the excellent presentation and remarkable explanation.!! Cheers to you and keep on posting!.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you.

[@rayrivera3374]

Great video, clearly explained and great camera angles to see exactly what you are working on.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you.

[@Bodhranarama]

I have this exact problem on a spindle bearing on our Scag mower. Getting it ready for spring is usually a formality but gonna have to sort this out before we run it. Hopefully just a bad zirc. Thanks for posting another useful video folks.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I am ready to get back to tractor work.

[@johnc6157]

Outstanding. Thank you. Now I feel more confident in unclogging my own zeros.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you for your comment. Tony

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Great help!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you

[@billwrb9945]

Very good information, I also had same situation and for short term fix pulled the grease fitting and ran a small diameter wire brush into the cavity and spun it round and it loosened up whatever was plugging the hole, took grease no problem after that. I have the TYM 474 and it’s been a work horse. Love the 4 cylinder!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Man, the T474 is awesome. Mine had not went through regen yet! I have not had one breakdown. Just maintenance.

[@dannydrake7348]

I had the same problem, Tractor Supply has a tool that you fill with grease and you hit it with a hammer, impact driver type thing, it worked well on my old backhoe, love your videos

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you. I have seen the hammer-type grease busters. I may need to look at getting one.

[@gckshea]

Tony, great little maintenance video. I bought a used and neglected Woods three point backhoe that spent all its life outdoors, and the last 5 years unused at all. I went through greasing all the zerks, and I think 6 of them wouldn't take grease, even after replacing the zerks. Guess what? Pin pulling time, on a floppy backhoe that I couldn't hook up to my tractor to position it to relieve pin pressure (the hydraulic hoses were shot and leaking and spraying). Ugh. My tractor became a crane, and through some creative rigging, I got the pin pulling job done. I never want to repeat, but it was your video, on steroids. Now it digs like a champ and grease goes to place! Thanks! Keep on teaching and sharing!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

That sounded like a big job. Where there is a will, there is a way!

[@jimfriday4909]

Your video content is what you are working on at the moment. I love it. Maintenance on your machines is very important. This video has great information. “I lost my nut”. You are hilarious. Thank you for sharing

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I thank you. We are having a good time with life. I always look forward to reading your comments.

[@lheartofthewoodsl]

Awesome.. I have a problem with my backhoe on my TYM T265. From new the Zerk would not take grease. I used it for about 1/2 hr before taking it back to shed to check as it was leaking hydraulic fluid as well. Good thing as I then checked all zeros and found one that wasn’t taking grease and worse it looks like the Zerk was crpss threaded and the company had tried to remove it but simply stripped the sides off the Zerk. So now I have a removal tool to screw into the Zerk to remove it tomorrow so then hopefully all will be well. But I may have to remove the shaft as you did so I was really glad to see you do it and see how simple it is put together. Thanks mate,

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you. I live by the motto, grease is cheaper than parts.

[@scout7198]

Thank you. Your video taught me a lot about zerks and how they allow grease to enter the pin to lubricate it. Very educational...and thanks for the safety tips too.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you

[@howardkettner]

Sooo good. I had a least four significant learning, not the least being your grease gun lock and then your three step process for trouble shooting the nature of the problem. No wonder i keep coming back for more Tony. You’re a natural.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you. I appreciate you.

[@rodneybass7615]

Glad for your advice when I contacted you this morning.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad I could help

[@tomcook5813]

Many of my pin retaining bolts are missing, I noticed the retaining clip is holding the pins in so I just kept on trucking. But many of the pins have rotated and I didn’t know til your video that that retaining bolt aligns a grease hole. Now thanks to you I know to realignment the pins and maybe they will now take grease.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Keep it greased and it will last for years.

[@Mr.WS6]

Just got a new tractor picking up Saturday. Your videos are priceless! Thank you for these.

[@ronalves9118]

Hi Tony In the past when I worked on Heavy Equipment we ALWAYS cleaned the pin and the inside bushing before replacing the pin. Helps the pivot point to be able to be greased for a longer period of time. Ron USCG MKC RET

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I agree, but this was a field repair. I think I will pull the pins down next service.

[@motor2of7]

Excellent lesson here. Grease is your friend on any metal to metal contacts.

[@frankhartmeyer9841]

Hey Tony a other trick I have used is while trying to grease have someone operator the tractor for that pin and some times it will take, some times.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

This is a good point.

[@mikeheilman2560]

Thanks Tony for the information on the grease lock fitting.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

You are welcome. It is the easiest I have worked with.

[@JJE2010MO]

Can't wait for my "Grease Coupler Lock Clamp" to arrive!

[@chasdegeofroy3091]

Very informative extremely good video much better than some I have watched on tractor maintenance, thanks.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

[@Wheelloader__]

Been there Tony. Same pin. Opposite side. I used the pin from my top link to drive it out. Nice video.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

It will happen, but I grease a lot. I think the Oak sawdust pulled inside some how. I greased the day before I used it.

[@linnjensen7469]

Excellent video I have this problem on one zerk I will try this

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Let me know if it works.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Great topic and great job covering it in detail

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you, Brock. I figured if it happened to me, it happened to someone else.

[@jukeman57]

Tip: buy a bag rubber caps designed to cover brake bleeder valves and use them to keep your zerk fittings covered and protected. I use MABIS Durable Replacement Quad Cane Tips found on Amazon.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

The rubber caps just want work in my applications. I use a grapple all the time in the woods pushing brush. The rubber caps get ripped off. Been down that road. If I was only doing gravel, then it would be fine.

[@jukeman57]

@@TonysTractorAdventure I just cleared 10 acres using my grapple and never had problems with the caps popping off.. One thing I discovered was, you kinda have to burp the caps when applying them to get any trapped air out and create a small vacuum. Anyway, it works well for me. Thanks for the informative repair video.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

You may have had better caps too. Mine were cheap

[@mikemonaghan6069]

Where did you get that grease fitting lock . Very good video, thanks

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I put a link in the video description. I have got that question a few times already.

[@terrymangum7635]

A very interesting and informative video Tony. I learned something today. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

That is a great comment. Thank you

[@joeberry4179]

Yes, great demo and something to think about, jb

[@CliffsideStables]

Well done video and great explanation. Missed seeing you at the National Farm Machinery Show. Tim in northern TN

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I must have met 10,000 people at that show. It was so much to see. I was tired when we left, but I am looking forward to the next show.

[@FabbedFun]

Good instructions! I hate a grease fitting that rejects my efforts to keep it healthy LOL. I wish I had met you at the show in Louisville. Maybe next time you can sign a shirt or something!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I wished I had met you too. I met a lot of other KZbinrs at the show. We will met up at some point. I am pouring concrete in a week. You are really welcome then. LOL!

[@batterup9457]

Thank you. Never had this happen (yet) so this is very helpful.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I grease almost every use, so I don't have it happen on my equipment. I had it happen a lot in the Army. Still, I think it was the sawdust from the sawmill.

[@MannistoCay]

Well done buddy, nice and simple. And you can still count to 10 on your fingers!👍🏼🏝🍻

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you. This tractor has to last!

[@johnwoody4905]

nice video. i have a bush hog that the pin will not come out of. take care, be safe and well.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Heat and a big hammer.

[@DubberGuy12]

Thank you for this video, I learned something 🤠.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you, my friend.

[@tcmits3699]

This was great video on why not to use grease on pins or bushings that don't have flutes. Those plain pins and bushings should've been coated with moly disulfide. Better off using bacon grease, ha ha, aleast it won't harden. Kinda reminds me of u-joints that fail with hardened dirt-attracting grease😊😊"EXERCISE IN FUTILITY"

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

That helps in some cases, but in this case it was plugged.

[@tcmits3699]

@@TonysTractorAdventure my point exactly we've all had plugged zerks and expect it to be better next time, and it usually isn't. Like, why is this grease so rock hard, lol. Take care and good luck 👍

[@Jasonrcsd]

hey Tony excellent video! Where did you gain your mechanic experience, because your in depth knowledge really comes through in your videos!? Reminds me of my dad, if only I had half the knowledge he has.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Army Maintenance Officer. 👍

[@deanbarr5740]

I bet Tanja is right, might very well be the sawdust. I grease my loader every time I fill up with fuel. My tractor is a 2018 and I've never had any issues yet. When you consider all the tree sap in the sawdust,, kinda makes sense.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I greased the tractor the day before I used it. I moved sawdust from the sawmill, and then it set until we went to move gravel. It wouldn't take grease. I think she is right.

[@tarzan30809]

Thanks Tony!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

You bet!

[@1datadog]

Very helpful presentation...thank you. Also nice dog.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Our pleasure!

[@earlyriser8998]

Very practical and clear explanation

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad you liked it

[@TheKelmo2828]

Good video and info!

[@ronevans3663]

Thats good to know on how you do that. Nice video.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Thank you. Learn at the school of hard knocks. LOL!

[@dougashcraft3990]

Nice job. Much appreciated.

[@jasonsoroko2118]

Great video, thank you

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad you liked it!

[@TommyJones-q3z]

Thankyou for that.... 👍

[@mel59725]

Thank you! Super helpful.

[@PeaceIntheValley]

good video. Sometimes the powered grease guns (dewalt, etc) can push a lot more pressure to force the zerk open. I've done that and worked well. I wonder if MFG defect of metal shaving inside ready to plug it.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

This tractor has been taking grease fine for almost two years. I think it was the fine Oak sawdust we moved. It sucked the grease out. I grease almost every day. I never had one block up so fast. I didn't see any metal.

[@MoneypitHomestead]

Another great video, and I have never seen a twist on grease gun. I have the Lock Lube, and it works great. But it looks like our fitting work great too! Where did you get it, or did it come with your grease gun?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I put a link in the video description for the grease tip. I got the grease gun at tractor supply. Life happens and we clean it up. LOL!

[@kblalock7934]

Very helpful video! Thank you

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barrybills1449]

Clean around fitting with small screwdriver. Put some heat on fittings that won’t take grease. Have never had to pull a grease fitting.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I would rather clean it up and not ruin the paint. I get to inspect the pin too.

[@1pa4u2c]

Quick fix after zero replacement, Lock and Lube has a kit that uses fluid/hammer to push pressure through the zero.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I have seen them, but It happens so rarely on my equipment. Now that I am working around sawdust, I will pay closer attention to greasing before and after. I have never seen one clog so fast. I greased the day before I used the tractor. I came back a few days later to move gravel and it wouldn't take grease. The fluid hammer may be a needed investment if I move sawdust from the sawmill often.

[@1pa4u2c]

@@TonysTractorAdventure

[@marionstarks3622]

whats the name of the grease gun fixed adapter you used? thanks for the informative video!

[@andysworld2188]

I bought a tool from TSC that's called grease joint rejuvenator. You fill it with a light penetrating oil and hook it up. When its loaded there is a piston that sticks out of one end and you tap it with a hammer and it forces that penetrating oil thru the zirk fitting. After its freed up throw some grease thru it to grease your machine as normal. But first thing i do is just replace the zirk fitting if it's easy to get too. If you have a tractor you should buy some spare grease fittings anyways. This is one place where you want to buy the best quality you can find. Don't buy some cheap made in china fittings otherwise you will end up with stripped threads

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I have the rejuvenation, but It didn't work for this. That is why I made the video this way.

[@andysworld2188]

@@TonysTractorAdventure i could see why the rejuvenator didnt work from the video. It wasn't the zirk fitting that was clogged up but the grease channel in the pin. Different problem requires a different solution. It still was a good video. Keep em coming!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I have been working around fine sawdust. I think this is the reason.

[@steveroper8733]

Great practical video!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robh063]

Great video. Very detailed and easy to understand! I have a different issue that hopefully you can offer some advise for. I was greasing my suspension wet bolts and I have one set of shackles that neither wet bolt will take grease. I tried the heat method on the zerk fitting and that didn't work. I'm going to have to remove the wet bolts and thoroughly clean them but my question is, do I just need to take pressure off the axle to get the bolts out or do I need do something more to prevent a tension release where I could get hurt?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I am afraid I don't have enough information to make an informed answer. I don't want to lead you wrong.

[@BrianFox]

Thank you. Great advice about hikes and fingers. Are you using red n tacky grease ?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Yes . Lucas number 2

[@HermanWoodworks]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed....now to get it done....lol...

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad I could help!

[@HermanWoodworks]

@@TonysTractorAdventure I had 2 pins that needed removed. One was exactly like what you had, bone dry, hole clogged and under pressure. Luckily mine was sitting in my driveway so I hit it with some light sandpaper, greased, and back to normal! Huge thanks again!

[@georgegeppert2539]

Hi Tony. I need to replace the Zerks on the same pin you had issues with. my local hardware store doesn't carry any with the same thread. do you have a part number or thread dimensions for these zerks?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Tractor Supply carries metric and standard zerks. I am not sure about the part number.

[@denisd7025]

Good morning, I like the accessory that you have on your grease gun tube to hold on zert. Whitch company make it ?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I put a link to it in the description of the video. I really like it.

[@terryk3118]

What do you think about that (slgfta?) zerk connecor that you show? Have you used any others?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I have used many others. I like this the best. It is is simple and it works.

[@TheOldManAndTheSaw]

Good information. What happened to your shop? Someone put sheet metal all over the roof!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

We have a roof! We also added 170 tons of crush run doing our final grade work. We rented a ride on roller packer. The shop is coming along.

[@edneialmeida7612]

Boa noite muito top serviço máquina amigo

[@pitts3219]

A lot of times if you have someone work the loader back and forth and you keep the grease gun attached you can get it take grease.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Tried it. It had to be pulled apart. It would not take grease with the pin out. It took me a good bit of digging to get grease through it.

[@johnc6157]

What's the name of the locking grease gun adapter?

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I think I put a link in the video description. That was several videos ago.

[@gungadingo]

Zerk, people. Oscar Zerk invented the “Grease Zerk”.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

My life has completely changed now.

[@buddymorgan2351]

How often do u grease it up

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Every use. The book says every eight hours. I was surprised it clogged up.

[@stevejoos8953]

@@TonysTractorAdventure if you grease up every time, then why when you got the grease to finally squirt of the hole in the center of the pin it was black, presumably 'moly' grease, but the grease in your grease gun was translucent 'red' non-moly grease (at time4 marker ~6:31) Kubota, and most other manuals suggest using ~3% moly grease. It's not a good idea to mix grease types like this.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I use whatever I have and grease often. All my pins are like new.

[@ianatkinson8464]

😎👍

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

I hope it helps

[@joeyrutherford1790]

Work it back and forth up and down as u grease.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

We did. We can’t show everything in video. It would be too long.

[@jasoncabot3059]

What Rk tractor would you compare yours to in size? How much horsepower yours have?

[@PeaceIntheValley]

rk55 would be the next step up. the 474 (47HP) s between the RK37 and RK55.

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

The T474 is the same frame size as the RK37, but it has a 48.3hp engine.

[@jasoncabot3059]

@@TonysTractorAdventure wow, sounds like the tractor to have. I ordered a RK25 with out seeing one. Just from other videos and reviews. Although someone that ordered one ahead of me, I got to check Thiers out at our local RK before he picked it up. Can't wait until mine gets in. 37 was over my budget. Thanks for the response.

[@ISXCUMMINS565]

Success 👍

[@miraclelawnservice2]

Awesome video

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@oakiewoodsman]

Great video!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it