I know what the manual says about lubrication for rollers and sprockets but I have also read that grease can be used without ill effects on "not new" undercarriages.
Thoughts and comments?
In my opinion, I think grease would be alright, as in some machines the seals are worn and the oil just runs out. If everything is perfect, yes the oil is best, but in the real world, the one of worn old crawlers, I think I would use grease. There is a grade of grease especially made for track rollers, it's a bit runny compared to regular grease
Use 50 wt oil unless it won't stay in. Then use heavier oil. Use grease as a last resort if the seals are shot and you can't keep oil in at all.
Blake
OK, now that raises more questions.
I can get 40W, but not found single viscostiy 50 or 60 for that matter.
I am running 85-140W gear oil now. 90W gear oil is about the same viscosity as 50W motor oil.
Has anyone found a source for single viscosity oils?
The 90 Wt gear oil sure stinks! But it would probably be ok to use unless you run your tractor a lot when it's real cold out.
I used to buy 50 wt and 70 wt non-detergent from Amalie back when the stuff was made in Bradford, PA. The last 50 wt I bought was a detergent diesel motor oil. Detergent oil should be fine. I think I have seen 50 wt racing oil readily available too.
There are a lot of oils available that are not your off-the-sheft Walmart grades. Call around to places that just sell oil and lubricants and I'm sure you'll find what you need. There are a lot of industrial gear oils that the general public does not use.
Blake
I should clarify that the gear oil is not going in the engine:o:o;)
I have 40W for the engine but really would prefer to run Rotella T since that is pretty much in everything else.
I did look at Central Tractor and didn't find many single viscosity oils. I then went to the Pennzoil web site and they don't list any of the things I was looking for.
I'll keep looking around.
Thanks:D:D
I figured you were talking about oil for the transmission, final drives, and lower track wheels. For the engine, I would use any good engine oil - Rotella is great stuff. Just watch that if your engine is really full of crud now, the Rotella will probably loosen things up pretty quickly. I'd get her good and hot and change the oil and filter a little sooner than normal for awhile.
I don't put much stock in Pennzoil anymore since they sold out to Shell. Ever since they moved out of Oil City, I gave up on them.
Blake
I will keep a close watch on it if I change to Rotella. The oil was very clean when I got it but I'm not sure what was in it--the guy i got it from really didn't know a lot about it.
I have the same feelings about Pennzoil, the primary reason I checked there sight was because they have a big distributor neat me.
My book calls for 140 in the rollers in this weather, but I have been unable to find straight 140. As you can see from the picture the multi-viscosity tends to "drupe" a bit:o;)
Been using grease in my HG's rollers and front idlers...purge till you see fresh grease from the seal area,lube daily if worked hard...had no problem yet...some people say oil only,but most who do sell repair parts....
just a word on grease verces oil, if grease is used do not use a "EP" grease as it will eat the yellow metals (brass, copper ect.)
Quote.some people say oil only,but most who do sell repair parts....
The factory says use oil and my grandfather who was Experimental Engineer said use oil. If you do choose to use grease, use something like "00" grease - a grease that is almost as thin as oil. Grease does not flow enough to get to where it's needed to lubricate properly.
EP gear oil does the same thing it eats at bronze and other yellow metals. i wouldnt use pennzoil on my bicycle chain no wax needed in my motors.
If you are using your crawler for any type of work, DO NOT USE GREASE! <p<Only put FLOWABLE lubrication in the track roller and font idlers. This is VERY important because grease will be scraped away from the shaft after the first few feet you drive your crawler.
If you are using your crawler for any type of work, DO NOT USE GREASE! <p>Only put FLOWABLE lubrication in the track roller and font idlers. This is VERY important because grease will be scraped away from the shaft after the first few feet you drive your crawler.
We have used grade "00" gear grease, it stays in poor seals but is self collapsing. we've also used it in rotavator gear cases where the seals were really bad, with no problems
Dave
I'm not saying grease instead of oil...been around modern equipment for 25 years,all CAT rollers use oil now...will use oil on my OC-3 when restoration is complete,the yard dog HG will run grease in its rollers until they completely fail...
check at the Harley Davidson or custom cycle shops.Many carry heavy single viscocity oils.
???....What kind of pump do I need to git the oil into these funny type fittings that are on these tractors, and where can I buy one ?
You should be able to buy a lube gun from Napa already set-up for button head fittings.
Emblem makes 50 wt oil.
Have you bought any lately Bob? Who has it? I know West Penn Oil in Warren, Pa had it, but I guess they have gone out of business. I believe Emblem is made by United Refining in Warren. Does American Refining in Bradford make any 50 wt?
Quote from: Bob on August 28, 2012, 10:41:31 PM
Emblem makes 50 wt oil.
Not that I know of Blake. I believe Saterlee is where I bought it from.
Is Saterlee the oil supplier you buy from? I don't know them. I need to check with Bayless Fuels in Titusville as they sell Brad Penn oils. I need to get a couple 5 gallon pails of 50 wt so we can pull my OC-12 steering apart.
We buy some oil from Saterlee