In a world of equipment, tools, and machinery made from metal, friction is unavoidable. Metal-to-metal contact occurs to perform specific actions from industrial equipment and heavy machinery to automotive. Lubrication is necessary for smooth functioning and reduced friction. In such situations, the grease gun comes in handy to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the machines. It doesn’t matter if you’re a DIY enthusiast or an industrial professional, you’ll always need a grease gun to take proper care of your machine.
Let’s understand how a grease gun helps you to take better care of your equipment by delving deeper into the concept of a grease gun. This blog will provide a complete guide on grease guns to help you select the right grease gun for your needs and use it correctly.
What Is A Grease Gun?
A grease gun is a lubrication tool that applies lubricant such as grease to moving parts and mechanical components. Mechanics, industrialists, engineers, and DIY enthusiasts use grease guns to lubricate mechanical equipment, passenger vehicles, aircraft, lawn equipment, etc. This lubrication tool makes the lubrication process easy, quick, and precise.
Without proper lubrication, the metal-to-metal contact between moving parts increases. This increases friction and wear and tear of the components further leading to expensive repairs and total breakdown. The grease gun allows one to apply the right amount of lubricant to the metal components such as bearings, hinges, and other moving parts. The lubricant creates a thin layer between the metal components so they don’t come in direct contact with each other.
Types Of Grease Guns
Grease guns are of different types as they are designed differently based on their application needs. There are four most common types of grease guns-
Lever Handle Grease Guns
Lever handle grease gun is a manual type of grease gun that is hand-operated. In comparison to other manual guns, it has the most volume or stroke. It needs to be held using both hands, one hand to hold the gun and the other on the pump of the lever. They offer high pressure and, thus are suitable for heavy-duty applications. They are used in applications where controlled lubrication is needed. However, such types of grease guns are not suitable for repetitive use and high production as they require more muscle strength to use them precisely.
Pistol Grip Grease Guns
Just like a lever handle grease gun, a pistol grip grease gun is also manually operated. But you can operate it using just one hand to pull the trigger and apply lubricant, thus requiring less energy. Also, they are suitable for tight and enclosed spaces. Although they do not offer as much pressure as lever-handle guns, these are convenient to use making them a great choice for repetitive maintenance tasks.
Pneumatic Grease Guns
A pneumatic grease gun is a type of automatic grease gun that uses an air supply for applying grease. It offers power, as well as ensures a steady and consistent flow of grease. To use such types of grease guns properly, the user requires proper training. Due to their enhanced pressure, these are suitable for industrial applications.
Battery-Powered Grease Guns
As its name suggests, these are battery-powered automatic grease guns. These are cordless and have rechargeable batteries. They offer portability, as well as power. It allows one to apply grease at a high volume without applying human force. Such types of grease guns are capable of holding different types of lubricants such as lithium, calcium, and aluminum.
Also Read: Lubrication Tools – Types, Importance, and Selection Guide
How Does A Grease Gun Work?
As there are different types of grease guns, each functions differently. But the basic mechanism of these guns is the same which is by pressurizing the grease from the canister to deliver it through a nozzle into the specific area of machinery. Here is the breakdown of the basic functioning of a grease gun-
- Loading the grease: The very first step is to load the grease gun. You can either load it via cartridge or pack it manually into the gun.
- Pressurizing: When you push the lever, trigger, or air valve, the gun pressurizes the grease inside the barrel.
- Dispensing: The grease inside the gun is pushed through the hose or pipe and gets out from the nozzle attached to the zerk fitting on the machinery.
Selecting The Right Grease Gun
The selection of a grease gun depends on your need or the tool you want to lubricate. Here are a few factors that one should consider before purchasing a grease gun-
Frequency Of Use
If you want to use a grease gun daily, then adopt the most durable and powerful model such as a pneumatic or battery-powered grease gun. Otherwise, the lever grease gun or pistol grip grease gun is right for occasional use.
Compatibility With Grease
The grease you want to use should be compatible with the type of grease gun you are purchasing. Whether you are using standard, biodegradable, or synthetic grease, it is important to ensure compatibility with the grease gun.
Type Of Machinery
The selection of grease also depends on the machinery that you want to grease. For example, heavy machinery requires high-pressure grease guns such as pneumatic and lever. Meanwhile, the grip and cordless models are suitable for smaller machinery and tools.
How To Use A Grease Gun: Step-By-Step Guide
Although using the grease gun seems quite simple, following a step-by-step process is important for effective lubrication. To use a grease gun correctly, you can follow the following steps-
Load The Grease Gun
If you are using a cartridge then remove the cap and insert it into the grease gun’s barrel. Meanwhile, if you want to bulk grease, then you have to manually pack the grease into the barrel.
Prime The Gun
Priming the grease gun is a key step in applying grease smoothly. Pump the lever or trigger to prime the grease gun. This removes any air pockets inside the gun to ensure smooth grease flow.
Attach The Coupler
Now connect the coupler or end of the hose to the zerk fitting on the machinery. It is important to double-check whether the coupler is securely attached to the fitting or not to prevent any leaks.
Start Lubricating
Now your grease gun is ready for lubrication. Pump the lever, trigger, or activate the air supply to start lubricating. Flow the grease into the desired area and stop once the component is full or grease starts escaping from the fitting.
Monitor Grease Levels
Keep checking on the grease levels to prevent excessive grease buildups or leakages around the fitting.
Mistakes To Avoid While Using A Grease Gun
There are a few mistakes that you should avoid while using the grease gun. These include-
- Overgrazing is a common mistake that one should avoid while using a grease gun. It can lead to overheating and cause further damage to the seal.
- If you don’t apply a sufficient amount of lubricant to the machinery, the risk of premature wear increases.
- Selection of the right type of grease for the machinery is important. Thus, it is important to always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure you are using the right type of grease.
- Improper coupler attachment is a common mistake individuals make. It increases the risk of improper lubrication and waste of grease.
Conclusion
A grease gun might seem like a small tool but it plays a big role in ensuring the longevity of your machinery and vehicle. By properly using a grease gun, you can properly lubricate the machines to ensure they run efficiently and smoothly. Proper lubrication reduces wear and tear of moving parts and increases the lifespan of equipment. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or an industrial technician, mastering the use of a grease gun can make your task easy and hassle-free.
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FAQ’s
How often should I grease my machinery?
The frequency of lubrication depends on the type of machine and its usage. For example, heavy machinery needs to be lubricated daily or weekly depending on their use, whereas vehicles need to be greased based on their mileage.
Can I use any type of lubricant with my grease gun?
No, you cannot use any type of grease with the grease gun. To check about the type of grease that you can use with a grease gun, it is important to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
