Grease Cartridges, Box of 12, £3.21 per cartridge, EP2 General Purpose Lithium-based Brown Grease lubricant in 400g/14oz Cartridge for Grease Gun, by Agri-Linc

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Alternatively, angled grease nipples can make tighter or awkward gaps more accessible, which combined with a flexible extension hose means you should be able to attach the coupler of your grease gun firmly. Where it could be dangerous to have an external fitting, some grease nipples are designed to sit flush to the surface. These usually require a cone-shaped grease gun coupler, as they’re installed differently.

Grease gun head : the grease gun head holds the primary mechanisms, and is where the barrel is screwed into.

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There are several common formats for grease fittings, with the most common being a standard-sized convex shape that fits snugly against the typical concave end of a grease gun nozzle. This combination allows the grease gun to be attached easily from various angles and still make an air-tight connection, meaning fewer instances of lubricant oozing out around the outsides of the grease nipple rather than being forced into the voids as intended. The amount of grease you need to use varies depending on the size of the joint you’re looking to lubricate, and how frequently you apply the grease. This is a popular design because they’re smaller than other levers, and you can use them one-handed. However, this can get tiring if used over long periods of time, so this type of grease gun is better for routine maintenance or short bursts of activity. In short, a grease gun is a tool used to apply grease to different types of machinery joints and bearings. Grease guns are primarily used by mechanics and engineers, but they can be a valuable investment for hobbyists looking to maintain their machinery.

You can also fill your grease gun by hand, but this is much messier. This would follow a similar process to pressure loading, but you would instead scoop grease into the barrel by hand. Wipe the excess grease from the tab as you remove it, then put the metal into the plastic cap for easy disposal. The overall construction of a grease gun is largely the same, whichever model you choose. However, the design does change depending on the power type of the grease gun. In this section, we’ve highlighted the four main types of grease gun, and how these can be used. Pneumatic grease guns Alternatively, you may wish to bulk load your grease gun directly from a larger store of grease. In this case, one option is to do the following.Delivery mechanism - These come in a range of choices, from a fixed tube or flexible hose to couplers and adapters. All have benefits depending on the machine location, operation type and user preference. Extension pipe : this extension pipe connects the coupler with the body of the grease gun, and can also be called a fixed tube .This design makes it easier for the grease gun to fit in small gaps and connect with hard-to-reach areas. Storing your grease gun horizontally helps to protect the plunger and spring from persistent stress and premature wear. This also means that if the grease does start to split, it does so evenly through the gun and is easier to fix by shaking the tool before use. Operation - grease guns are either manually, battery or pneumatically operated. Manual and battery operations offer the convenience of a cordless gun, which allows for user flexibility, while pneumatic grease guns are high powered and ideal for heavy-duty working environments. If you’re using a different grease than before, you’ll need to pump a small quantity of the new lubricant out through the nozzle of the grease gun until none of the old grease is left inside

Battery-powered grease guns - The core mechanism of battery-powered grease guns is similar to the above models, except that the on-board batteries provide the power to create the required pressure build-up (rather than the user having to do so manually or via external means) For example, they’re commonly seen on suspension rigs where it’s otherwise impossible to manually apply lubricants to the internal systems. Also known as grease zerks or fittings, grease nipples are a type of fitting attached to bearings or other mechanisms that need internal lubrication. Instead of a lever or pressure grip, pneumatic grease guns use a trigger to work. This means they’re easier to use over an extended period of time, or if you have decreased grip strength.Note: the majority of these parts are universal across different models of grease gun. However, the pump lever may look different depending on how the grease gun is powered. Where would you use a grease gun? Plunger rod handle : the plunger rod, or follower rod , is what puts pressure on the grease within the barrel. This is spring-loaded, and moves when the lever/trigger is pumped.

Hand pump grease guns - This type features a pressurised pump handle or piston as part of the tool, which is primed before use to create a build-up of pressure, and subsequently released via a trigger mechanism to force the lubricant through the fitting However, the air needs to come from somewhere. Pneumatic grease guns have to be attached to a source via cord, which can limit their range of use. In aiming to better understand how a grease gun works, people may wonder why it’s called a grease gun in the first place. The simple answer is that the tool’s shape and basic mechanisms give rise to the name. Grease guns can be adapted to each machine with different connectors, couplers and hoses to reach into tight spaces located centrally and out of reach. An important part of machine maintenance is the careful and precise application of lubricating grease. Over or under greasing mechanical components can cause a wide range of issues that include overheating, premature wear, and costly damage. Nearly all lubricant applications via a grease gun involve a small device called a grease nipple or grease fitting, located on the body of the vehicle or equipment being lubricated. A grease nipple is a small metal fixture that functions as a valve cap, sitting over a grease hole on the exterior of a rotary bearing or similar moving part.

This is because a grease gun is a sealed system, which should keep contaminants and dirt away from the lubricant.