Regular greasing is one of the cheapest ways to prevent wear in tractors, loaders, excavators, telehandlers and implements. Pins, bushes, steering joints, universal joints and bearings can wear rapidly if lubrication is missed, contaminated or forced through a blocked grease point.

Why Greasing Matters

Grease performs several jobs at once:

• Reduces friction
• Separates metal surfaces
• Pushes dirt and moisture out of joints
• Reduces corrosion
• Protects pins and bushes
• Extends bearing life

1. Find Every Grease Point

Do not assume all grease nipples are obvious. Machines may have points on:

• Front axle pivots
• Steering joints
• Three-point linkage
• Loader pins and bushes
• Backhoe or excavator boom joints
• Bucket and quick-hitch pins
• Propshaft universal joints
• Clutch or brake pedal pivots
• PTO shafts
• Wheel hubs or bearings where applicable

The operator manual usually includes a lubrication chart showing locations and service intervals.

2. Clean the Grease Nipple Before Connecting

Dirt around the nipple can be pushed directly into the joint by the grease gun.

1. Wipe the nipple clean.
2. Inspect it for damage.
3. Attach the grease-gun coupler squarely.
4. Grease the joint.
5. Wipe away excess contaminated grease.

3. Use the Correct Grease

Not all greases are interchangeable.

Common Grease Types

• General-purpose lithium grease
• Lithium complex grease
• Molybdenum disulphide / moly grease
• High-temperature bearing grease
• Water-resistant grease
• OEM-specific special grease

Check the specified grease type before changing products, especially on high-load pins, high-speed bearings or special materials.

4. Moly Grease

Grease containing molybdenum disulphide is often used on heavily loaded sliding pins and bushes.

It can be suitable for:

• Loader pins
• Excavator boom and bucket pins
• Slow-moving heavily loaded pivots

It is not automatically correct for every high-speed rolling bearing. Follow the machine specification.

5. How Much Grease?

The correct amount depends on the component.

Pins and Bushes

Usually grease until fresh grease appears at the joint or contamination is displaced, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.

Sealed Bearings

Overgreasing can cause overheating, seal damage and excessive churning.

6. Grease Until Clean Grease Appears

On exposed pins and bushes, fresh grease emerging around the pin helps push out:

• Water
• Mud
• Dust
• Old contaminated grease

Wipe away the dirty excess so it does not collect abrasive material.

7. Blocked Grease Nipples

If grease will not enter a joint, do not simply keep increasing pressure.

Possible Causes

• Nipple blocked
• Nipple ball seized
• Dried grease inside passage
• Pin load covering grease hole
• Internal passage blocked

Try

1. Clean the nipple.
2. Replace the nipple if doubtful.
3. Move or unload the joint slightly.
4. Try greasing again.
5. Investigate the internal passage if still blocked.

8. High-Pressure Grease Injection Hazard

A grease gun can inject grease through the skin.

Never:

• Hold a leaking high-pressure hose in your hand
• Use fingers to find a grease leak
• Point a grease gun at skin

Any suspected injection injury requires urgent medical attention.

9. Loader Pins and Bushes

Front loaders work under heavy shock loads and should be greased regularly.

Pay Particular Attention To

• Boom pivots
• Bucket pivots
• Parallel-linkage joints
• Quick-attach pins
• Hydraulic-cylinder pins

Dry loader pins can wear both the pin and the structural bore, turning a simple maintenance issue into an expensive repair.

10. Excavator and Backhoe Pins

Boom, dipper and bucket pins often need frequent greasing, particularly in wet, sandy or abrasive conditions.

Signs of Inadequate Greasing

• Squeaking
• Visible rust around pin
• Increasing side play
• Metal dust
• Rapid bush wear

11. Three-Point Linkage

Check lubrication of:

• Lift-arm pivots
• Top-link points
• Stabiliser joints
• Lower-link balls
• Draft-control linkages where specified

Some ball ends are not fitted with grease nipples but still benefit from suitable external lubrication where the manufacturer recommends it.

12. Propshaft and Universal Joints

Universal joints and sliding splines can fail quickly if neglected.

Check

• U-joint grease nipples
• Sliding spline lubrication
• Guard bearings
• PTO shaft telescopic sections

After greasing a telescopic PTO shaft, make sure it can still slide freely through its full working range.

13. Steering and Front Axle

Common lubrication points include:

• Kingpins
• Track-rod ends
• Centre axle pivot
• Steering-cylinder pins
• Four-wheel-drive propshaft joints

A dry centre pivot can produce steering play and axle knock that may be mistaken for more serious damage.

14. Pedals and Control Linkages

Small pivots are often ignored until they become stiff.

• Clutch pedal
• Brake pedals
• Throttle linkage
• Handbrake mechanism
• Control levers

Use oil or grease according to the manufacturer’s lubrication chart.

15. Greasing After Washing

Pressure washing can drive water into joints and remove exposed grease.

After heavy washing:

• Grease exposed pins and bushes
• Check U-joints
• Check loader and bucket pivots
• Wipe away water-contaminated grease

16. Greasing After Working in Water or Mud

Machines working in slurry, water, mud or sand may need grease more frequently than the normal service interval.

Fresh grease can help purge water and abrasive contamination before corrosion begins.

17. Automatic Lubrication Systems

Some larger machines use automatic greasing systems.

Check

• Grease reservoir level
• Pump operation
• Broken delivery pipes
• Blocked metering units
• Grease reaching every lubrication point

An automatic system reduces labour but does not eliminate the need for inspection.

18. Grease Storage

Keep grease cartridges and bulk grease clean.

• Store sealed
• Keep away from dust and moisture
• Label different grease types
• Do not mix products in an unclean grease gun

19. Service Intervals

Greasing frequency depends on:

• Machine type
• Hours worked
• Load
• Dust
• Water exposure
• Manufacturer schedule

A loader working daily in mud may need much more frequent greasing than a lightly used tractor.

20. Signs a Joint Has Been Neglected

• Visible movement between pin and bush
• Knocking
• Squeaking
• Rust staining
• Uneven pin wear
• Grease will no longer pass through the joint

Greasing Service Checklist

Item	Check
Grease type	Correct specification for component.
Grease nipples	Clean, undamaged and accepting grease.
Pins and bushes	Fresh grease reaches joint.
U-joints	Greased at correct interval.
Loader/backhoe joints	No dry points or excessive play.
Steering pivots	Lubricated and no abnormal wear.
Automatic greaser	Reservoir and delivery lines checked.
Final inspection	Excess dirty grease wiped away.

Related Agrimanual Manuals

Lubrication charts, grease specifications and service intervals vary by model.

• Search Agrimanual for lubrication and service information
• Search Agrimanual maintenance manuals
• Request a manual if your machine is not listed

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should loader pins be greased?

Follow the manufacturer’s interval, but loaders working hard in dirt, water or slurry often need much more frequent greasing.

Why will a grease nipple not take grease?

The nipple may be blocked, the joint may be loaded against the grease passage, or old hardened grease may be blocking the internal drilling.

Can I mix different greases?

Not automatically. Some thickeners and additive systems are incompatible. Use the specified grease and avoid unnecessary mixing.

Should grease come out around the pin?

On many open pins and bushes, yes. Fresh grease appearing at the joint shows that lubricant is reaching the working surfaces and can purge contamination.

Can a bearing be overgreased?

Yes. High-speed bearings can overheat or damage seals if packed with excessive grease.