Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

Another button head question

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Jon Hayward

05-09-2004 13:11:43




Report to Moderator

Have a 1941 Speedex model B with standard button head fittings at the steering pivot cylinders and one at the belt drive pulley. I assumed they were grease fittings and now you are telling me that they are heavy oil fittings. I can't imagine the bearings on the drive pulley would use oil. Also it appears to me that oil would be thrown all over the pulley and belts. With an exhaustive search found a fitting that adapts a standard grease gun to button head. Does anyone know if these fittings were ever used for grease? Am I clear off base? Thanks for any help.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
jdemaris

05-09-2004 18:28:17




Report to Moderator
 Re: Another button head question in reply to Jon Hayward, 05-09-2004 13:11:43  
Button-head fittings have been, and still are used in many applictions where grease, and not oil, is the lubricant. I'd like to see some documention or source-citations that indicate otherwise. They are used in many kinds of industrial/factory and dirt-moving equipment. The reasons they exist and why some companies use them include at least the following - but there may be other reasons: #1 they allow more flow than a conventional zerk fitting of the same size, #2 they provide a means of locking on the grease-gun head so it does not have to be held - unlike zerk fittings that will pop the grease =-gun head off at higher pressures, #3 they allow higher greasing pressures due to what is explained in the previous statement, #4 they are less prone to physical damage from abraision whereas zerks are pointed, and once hit by an debris are often rendered unusable.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Lavoy

05-09-2004 20:28:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Another button head question in reply to jdemaris, 05-09-2004 18:28:17  
I will second that. A button head GREASE fitting is absolutely used for grease. To say that by virtue of its design is is just for oil is ludicrous. Use of a button head fitting is often dictated by the environment it will operate in, not the type of lubricant used, crawlers being a good example. Put a regular grease zerk in place of a button head fitting on a roller and see how long it lasts. Now I will admit that in the old days, rollers used gear lube. In the old days you used an outhouse, does that mean there is not a better alternative today, of course not. I have a case of grease cartridges on the shelf sold by John Deere that is labeled "Track and Roller Grease". It does not say track and roller oil. It is what Deere recommended for use in track rollers, as did most other manufacturers in later years.
Grease your fittings, and don't worry about it.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jdemaris

05-10-2004 05:55:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Another button head question in reply to Lavoy, 05-09-2004 20:28:23  
Yeah, but Deere stopped selling the Track and Roller grease - I think because of lack of demand since their roller replacements are "sealed" and non-greaseable. From the specs. I've read, the Deere "Corn Head" grease is the desired replacement for the "Track and Roller" grease. It's supposed to offer the best of both "lubricant worlds", i.e. it lubricates like oil when parts are moving, but when at rest acts likes grease and resists flow/leakage.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Lavoy

05-10-2004 07:56:41




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Re: Another button head question in reply to jdemaris, 05-10-2004 05:55:32  
Yes, Corn Head grease is the replacement now. You can still get track and roller grease from some oil suppliers, but it is usually in 120# drums, or other large container.
Lavoy



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Brokenwrench

05-09-2004 13:39:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Another button head question in reply to Jon Hayward, 05-09-2004 13:11:43  
On crawlers the button head fittings were used for heavy oil for the rollers and idlers so it would flow into the bushings and bearings. In your application,grease can be used. Instead of locating a button head adapter,change the fittings out to regular grease zerks,and use a good quality grease.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Ol Chief

05-09-2004 20:31:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Another button head question in reply to Brokenwrench, 05-09-2004 13:39:14  
I agree with jdmaris.I am not doubting the info that button heads are used on crawlers for oil,but never heard of them being used for anything but grease until I read this thread.I have seen them used on all kinds of heavy equipment,cranes, winches and etc. Often in hard to reach locations so three hands are not needed as might be with zerk fittings.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
george md

05-09-2004 13:37:38




Report to Moderator
 Re: Another button head question in reply to Jon Hayward, 05-09-2004 13:11:43  
Jon,

The equipment manufacturer spent quite a bit more money to install button head fittings, if they wanted you to use grease they would have installed the cheaper grease fitting .

george



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy