Bobcat grease fitting…. HELP!!!!

[huntingdad]

Long story short….

Track popped off the skid steer the other day. I hopped off the machine, backed the pressure grease fitting off enough to release track pressure, blocked the machine under rear end, used front end to lift machine, removed fitting, got enough slack in track, got track back onto alignment, put fitting back in, pumped grease in to tighten track, then removed grease gun.

Result: grease shot out of the end of the grease fitting.

I spent 45 mins messing with it. Assumed “meh, bad fitting so I’ll replace it”. Went and bought 3 new fittings (good to have spares). Out of all 3 new fittings ZERO seem to work. They all do the same thing. I’ve tried barely snug (just past grease coming out of threads when adding grease into piston) to “I’m pushing luck to tighten any more”.

Can anyone tell me what the issue is here bc I have yet to find a solution and I have not been able to call bobcat before 5 o’clock.

For reference here is the culprit.

 

[huntingdad]

Now, my understanding is that this is a pressure fitting with a one way valve that is spring loaded. All 3 new fittings and the old fitting have a spring and valve. There is also a small hole that is in the thread that goes through the fitting and out of the end of the zerk where the grease gun attaches. Upon inspection of the 3 new fittings and the old fitting it appears that the internal valve is past the hole (which I believe is to release pressure when loosening fitting).

My only assumption is that the grease is now bypassing the valve and going through the bleeder and going coming back out of the zerk.

 

[RockAndSage]

That's an interesting one - first thought is to check to make sure there's no dirt or damage in the grease gun's tip, that might be getting pushed into the zerk somehow or damaging the lip of the zerk's tip and holding the ball bearing open. Clean it thoroughly with q-tips, etc.

Second thought is doing the same thing at the threads of the zerk, on the bobcat itself. Just clean everything off and carefully inspect the threads, including looking deeper into the threading with a light.

 

[Silveroddo]

First thing I would check is the tip on the gun, second thing is that there's not some weird bind on the tensioner itself. Maybe move the machine around (back and forth, no turning) to make sure everything is settled in and do what you can to take pressure off of it.

 

[huntingdad]

Yep. I’m confused as all get out on this one. Next time I’m there to mess with it I’m going to take an old toothbrush and clean the threads in the machine. And call bobcat.

 

[cnelk]

There are different thread pitches on some grease zerts

 

[Frozenlead]

Now, my understanding is that this is a pressure fitting with a one way valve that is spring loaded. All 3 new fittings and the old fitting have a spring and valve. There is also a small hole that is in the thread that goes through the fitting and out of the end of the zerk where the grease gun attaches. Upon inspection of the 3 new fittings and the old fitting it appears that the internal valve is past the hole (which I believe is to release pressure when loosening fitting).

My only assumption is that the grease is now bypassing the valve and going through the bleeder and going coming back out of the zerk.

Your understanding is correct. They use a high pressure check valve on the far end of the fitting to contain the grease at higher pressure than the average grease zerk. The fittings do fail, but it’s unlikely 3 new ones have.
The next step will be to remove the fitting and clean out the bore. Try to take a peak and inspect the tapered seating area as well as the threads. Generally there will be a piece of debris in the taper area, so the bleeder will not seat and seal properly. After that, inspect the valve and insure its taper wasn’t damaged previously. Then assemble it and test.
Bring a short piece of fuel line that will just fit over the grease zerk with you next time. Pop it over the fitting if the grease starts coming out. It’ll save on having to clean up the mess inside the housing.

 

[mgray]

I can’t help with the fitting issue, but I can feel your pain. Last summer I had a track come off so I raised the machine with the bucket to work on it. While fixing the track the hydraulics must have settled a bit. No big deal, except now the damn door won’t open. It’s a good thing I have a skinny 8yo boy who can shimmy through a tiny crack. He learned how to operate a skid loader and a few new words I hope his mom doesn’t hear.