Practical Boat Owner - January 2016

PRACTICAL

Tgreaser causes incredible diffiowners. When performed culties for many boat he seemingly simple job of fia grease gun or remote stern gland lling
correctly it is clean and uncomplicated, but unless it is done properly it is easy to get into a terrible
mess trying to stuff handfuls of grease into the end of the gun and then poking it down to remove
the trapped air. There is an easier way...

Don’t laugh: what might be a simple task for some of us be a total mess for the uninitiated, so PBO Expert Tony Davies

demonstrates a clean and effi cient method of fi lling a grease gun

Filling a grease gun

the pump body. Pumping the operating handle allows grease into the nozzle and further pressurises it to overcome the^1 A typical small grease gun, ideal for use on a boat. Inside the gun, the grease is pressurised by a strong spring inside

resistance of the tiny valve inside the grease nipple. method varies between makes of grease gun, so check how it is done before starting.^2 To fi ll the gun, the plunger is fi rst pulled out to the locked position. The locking

released, and any grease within the body pushed out: this can be put back into the tin of grease to use again.^3 With the plunger locked, the nozzle end can now be unscrewed. The plunger is then slowly This is provided to ease gun fi lling.^4 Small tins of grease have a fldisc inside with a hole in the centre. at

body, with the nozzle end removed, is^5 The end of the grease gun

placed onto the disc and pushed down while at the same time pulling up on

the pressurising plunger of the gun. The combined effort of pressing the gun

down and lifting the pressurising plunger up forms a partial vacuum and forces grease into the gun’s body

with little or no trapped air, and ensures the body is almost totally fi lled with grease.

is again locked into the open position. The nozzle is then screwed back on and the^6 With the gun full of grease, the pressurising lever – which is fully out –

pressurising lever released.

no air bleed, pump the handle a few times to remove air and allow grease to start fl^7 If there is an air bleed nipple, this can now be opened to free trapped air. If there is owing,

and the gun is ready for use.

STEPBY

STEP

Remote stern greasers are fi lled by removing the top cap and unscrewing

the body from the base. then simply pushed down on the disc in The body is

the tin until it is totally figrease. When it is full, the body is lled with

refithe pressurising screw in the top cap is unscrewed and tted to the base,

the cap refiready for use. tted