Grease Guns

An unsung hero in manufacturing and maintenance, the grease gun lubricates mechanical parts to ensure the optimum performance of machinery. Designed for control and precise application, a grease gun can be upgraded with various connectors and adapters to create the perfect lubricant delivery system for each machine.

Available in a variety of operational types, users can choose from hand-powered, battery, or pneumatic grease guns. Hand-powered and battery grease guns allow for cable-free working, while pneumatic guns feature hose attachments, but are more powerful.

Another variation is the grip type, with manually operated guns engineered with either a lever grip, which requires a two-handed pump method, or a pistol grip, which can be operated with one hand. Both battery and pneumatic grease guns feature pistol grip technology, and it's considered by some to allow for a more precise application of lubricating grease.

At Cromwell.co.uk you can discover a wide selection of grease guns to suit your needs from well-known brands like Yamoto®, PCL® and Lumatic®.

What is a grease gun?

Fundamentally, a grease gun is a hand-held pumping device that delivers lubricating grease into rotary bearings and other mechanical parts that are located deep inside machinery. They do an essential job in ensuring the smooth operation of moving parts and maintaining the optimum health of a machine.

Why grease guns?

Grease guns can be adapted to each machine with different connectors, couplers and hoses to reach into tight spaces located centrally and out of reach. An important part of machine maintenance is the careful and precise application of lubricating grease. Over or under greasing mechanical components can cause a wide range of issues that include overheating, premature wear, and costly damage.

When are grease guns used?

Used for machine maintenance, grease guns are used regularly in automotive industries, in industrial production and for agricultural machinery to maintain smooth operations and avoid costly replacements.

Grease gun types

Grease guns are typified by their operation, with each offering its own benefits. The best choice depends solely on the type of application required and the preference of the user.

• Manual lever - Most common requires a two-handed operation

• Manual pistol - Convenient single-handed operation

• Battery pistol - Cordless, low voltage variation to the pneumatic grease gun

• Manual lever - Most common requires a two-handed operation

• Manual pistol - Convenient single-handed operation

• Battery pistol - Cordless, low voltage variation to the pneumatic grease gun

• Pneumatic pistol - Attached to a hose which delivers compressed air operation

• Pneumatic pistol - Attached to a hose which delivers compressed air operation

Considerations when choosing a grease gun

• Operation - grease guns are either manually, battery or pneumatically operated. Manual and battery operations offer the convenience of a cordless gun, which allows for user flexibility, while pneumatic grease guns are high powered and ideal for heavy-duty working environments.

• Output - The amount of grease delivered with each pump varies in different guns. Understanding the amount needed for each machine can help to ensure that you don't over or under grease machinery and cause damage to seals and motors.

• Delivery mechanism - These come in a range of choices, from a fixed tube or flexible hose to couplers and adapters. All have benefits depending on the machine location, operation type and user preference.

• Loading - Grease guns are loaded with a cartridge, bulk or suction fill. Cartridge loading is quick and clean, whereas bulk or suction fill is more economical but messier.

Grease gun jargon buster

To help you understand the grease gun range and applications a little better, we've broken down a key standard associated with the product.

What does the safety standard DIN 1284 mean?

DIN 1284 specifies the technical standards required for grease guns and grease cartridges for lever operating handguns. Even though this is a German national standard, the markets regularly overlap, and so consumers will frequently see DIN standards labelled on their favourite products.

Let's break it down...

• DIN - This is the awarding body of the standard, in this case, the Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardisation)

• 1284 - This is the assigned legislation number

FAQs

Does the colour of grease mean anything?

There's no industry fixed meaning for the different colours of lubricating grease, and it can vary from brand to brand. Some manufacturers use colour to identify the type, but this is more of a marketing tool.

Are there different grease gun fittings?

There's a wide range of fittings available on the market which adjust the shape and reach of the applicator. These include 90-degree adapters and swivel joint couplers to name just a few. End adapters that control the grease thickness are also widely available in various forms. For example, a needle-end adapter delivers a thin layer of grease, while grease nipple kits supply pieces to suit a range of applications.