The makers of tractors understand the importance of using proper oils, and recommend certain brands and grades; these recommendations should be followed in order to get the best possible results. All makers specify at least two kinds of lubricants, and most of them three; one specifies six, which range from a light sewing machine oil to a grease so thick that it is nearly solid. Whatever the recommendations may be, they should be followed.
In general, lubricants are classified according to their thickness, and they range from the light oil used for typewriters and sewing machines to grease so thick that it may be cut like butter. The thinnest oil is used for the circuit breaker pivot; this part is usually moved in one direction by a cam and in the other by a light spring. A thick oil would gum the bearing to such an extent that the spring might not be able to move the lever.
Fig. 73.—“Mogul” Oiling Diagram
| KEY | DESCRIPTION | QUANTITY | LUBRICATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONCE EVERY HOUR | |||
| L | Rear axle bearing | Two complete turns | Cup Grease |
| ONCE EVERY TWO HOURS | |||
| A | Differential hub | One complete turn | Cup Grease |
| B | Rear wheel hub | One complete turn | Cup Grease |
| C | Differential pinion | One complete turn | Cup Grease |
| H | Front wheel hub | Two complete turns | Cup Grease |
| T | Governor and cam shaft bearing | Two complete turns | Cup Grease |
| TWICE EVERY DAY | |||
| E | Governor | Oil | Cylinder oil |
| F | Outboard bearing grease cups | Two complete turns when plowing | Cup Grease |
| G | Transmission | One pint | See note below |
| N | Magneto trip | Grease every 5 hours | Cup Grease |
| Magneto roller and slide | Oil every 5 hours | Oil | |
| J | Steering worm | Keep covered | Cup Grease |
| W | Steering hub grease cup | One complete turn | Cup Grease |
| V | Steering worm shaft | Oil every 5 hours | |
| R | Lubricator eccentric | Oil every 5 hours | |
| (keep wool in pocket) | |||
| P | Cam roller slide | Oil every 5 hours | |
| K | Valve levers | Fill with oil every 5 hours | |
| (keep wool in pocket) | |||
| ONCE EVERY DAY TRACTOR IS IN USE | |||
| U | Steering sector shaft | One complete turn | Cup Grease |
| D | MECHANICAL LUBRICATOR | ||
Fill with a good grade of heavy gas engine cylinder oil. Turn the crank on the mechanical oiler 40 to 50 times when starting the engine. | |||
| D | IMPORTANT | ||
In cool or cold weather the oil in lubricator tank must be warmed as it will not flow readily unless of the right temperature. | |||
| G | TRANSMISSION | ||
In warm weather, use heavy oil such as “600” transmission or Polarine transmission oil; in cold weather, use a good light oil. | |||
| S | GOVERNOR | ||
Cylinder oil in governor should cover shoe. | |||
| M | MAGNETO | ||
Oil magneto bearings once a week with sewing machine or cream separator oil. | |||
The oil used in an engine is thicker, and has a high burning point and high viscosity; that is, it should be able to resist burning, and should not get so thin when it is heated that it will be squeezed out of the bearings. The same kind of oil that is used in the engine can be used in many other parts of the tractor.
Grease is usually used for the gears of the transmission and drive. There is very great pressure between the teeth of two meshing gears, and only thick oil and grease have sufficient viscosity to resist being squeezed out.
The thickest grease is used on the tracks of caterpillar-type tractors.
Before operating a tractor, the lubrication chart supplied by the manufacturer should be studied with great care, and all of its requirements should be observed. This chart is usually in the form of a diagram accompanied by a table, as shown in [Figure 73], which is the lubrication chart of one of the International Harvester tractors. This figure illustrates the constant attention that is demanded by this most important part of tractor operation.
