Newer CAT259D track loader owner here. What type of grease are most of you using for daily/routine maintenance via grease gun?
This has been discussed a zillion times. General consensus is a 5% moly NLGI #2 grease for pins and bushings. I like Schaffer 238. For bearings a good red grease is fine. No moly in bearings. Use plenty of grease.
This is what we use - https://phillips66lubricants.com/product/megaplex-xd3-construction-earth-moving/ Buy it in tube and 80lb kegs. It's a good grease at a good price from our fuel supplier.
I looked up the CAT 259D manual, they recommend the Cat Prime Application Grease NLGI #2, Moly 3%. The local dealer had it for $3.40/tube
How many hours will this 259D see a month? Depending on usage, $3.40 a tube is reasonable if you're not racking up hours. If you are greasing daily or twice a day like we have to on our 279D's then $3.40 a tube gets expensive really quick.
Maybe 50 hours per month. Can reach 75 hours
We’ve been beating this subject to death lately, but that’s cool. ct Farmer nailed it.!
So unrelated, but kind of the same topic, name a good manual grease gun? I have a manual pistol grip grease gun and it is frequently annoying me. It constantly needs burped and the grease is always leaking past the piston. I wanted to throw it this last weekend. I used to hang it vertically, but learned quickly not to do that. Now I store it flat on the floor and I'm starting think it is just a turd.
Alemite 500-E is the answer you seek. Splurge and get a LockNLube coupler for it.
Do you know if it's made in USA? I know the lock n lube branded grease zerk fittings are. I will definitely look into this unit. Thanks for sharing
Umm none of those IMO. Once you have a cordless grease gun you'll never want a hand operated one again.
Auto greaser. Spendy, but worth it.
Flat Thunder Channel, That’s a great question and a good point. The box the Alemite 500 ships in says made in China. Further investigation shows that you have to step up to the Alemite 1056-S4 if you want a made in the USA one. And who wouldn’t ?? Made in South Carolina. It’s a $150 grease gun. Now, that I know better, I must do better. No more Chinese grease guns. Damn. I’ll have to mis-place my Alemite 500, or allow it to get stolen, so I can replace it with an American one. Hanging out on this forum costs me money.
I contemplated a cordless electric version, but I like to gage the pressure in the handle. I am not ashamed to admit that I have broken things or 'over lubricated things' with my manual guns. Now, i am a shade wiser and give up after a certain amount of pumps and definitely stop when I start to feel back pressure. I am afraid I might have to start over with the learning curve on an electric version. I am pretty sure my current grease gun is an over seas special. It isn't worth a nickle and will find its way to the scrap pile before too long! I will look into the other version. I appreciate the information and encourage everyone to buy american.