I used to schedule two or three pumps of grease in each fitting when the engine oil was changed. I'd spin the machine each way two or three revolutions and then one or two more pumps. It really doesn't take much.
I do the same, grease it at 4 points, one thing I am not to sure on is, on my my machine JD200C, I dont like to remove the access plate to the swing bearing often for greasing due to fear of contamination, I try to do it only every 500 hrs. I would like to hear any thoughts on this...
Paul
The swing bearing and the swing gear are different things. You should put in around 5 shots in the grease zerks in front of the machine on the swing bearing at 90 degrees apart every 250 hours. (5 x 4 = 20 shots of grease total every 250 hours)
The swing gear (accessed by opening the cover) can be greased every 500 hours. That's fine, as long as it's getting greased. Put about 2 cartridge fulls of grease, split into four equal portions in, 90 degrees apart. I like to spin 360 degrees after each quarter is greased to spread it out a bit better.
Contamination usually happens by itself (provided you're not greasing in the rain or anything like that) rather than by you letting stuff in. It's not that sensitive that a little dust getting in can hurt it. Just don't let gobs of crap in, and drain out any accumulated water whenever you spot any in there.
*To drain swing gear grease area of water, there should be a second similar access cover under the machine that you can open to drain. Be creative to overcome grease dams and let all the water flow out :tong. You may need to add a little extra grease if you need to do this.
