The 20 Best Types Of Grease Fittings Reviewed

A lot have people have a question in their minds about Types of Grease Fittings fitting and how they work. We know that Grease fittings are usually found on industrial machines, such as pumps and compressors.

They’re also useful on some automotive components, such as the camshaft and crankshaft.

In contrast, grease fittings, also known as mechanical seals are often located at a point where there is a large pressure difference between the lines.

This can be a point where the load is transferred to the shaft of the bearing, where the shaft of the bearing is connected to the frame of the vessel, or where the shaft of the bearing connects to a pump.

The grease fitting is the metal or plastic part that is attached to a pipe and contains the grease.

But do you know there are many different types of Grease Fittings? There are different types of grease fittings that are used in different industries. Some of the types are

Grease Fittings Types

• Standard grease fitting
• Drive grease fitting
• Ball type fittings
• Pin-type grease fittings
• Leak‑proof fittings 
• Flush grease fittings
• Flow stop fittings
• Safety vent fittings
• Hydraulic shut-off fittings
• Pressure relief grease fitting
• Breather fittings
• Relief vent fittings
• Oilers
• Oil reservoirs
• Drive oilers
• Oil cups 
• Oil hole covers 
• Vent fittings
• Button head grease fitting
• Thread forming grease fitting

1. Standard Types of Grease Fittings

Grease fittings can sometimes be hard to identify. Surprisingly, It can be difficult to know what type of grease fittings are on an engine, especially if you do not have access to the engine.

However, there are two grease fittings that are very common. The Grease fittings are the 1/4″-28 thread and the 1/8″ NPT thread.

2. Drive Grease Fittings

One of the grease fittings that are quickly becoming more popular is the Drive Type Grease Fitting.

Drive Type Grease Fitting has a serrated shank, which facilitates the substitution of damaged grease fittings in old or oversize holes.

Although drive grease fittings grip securely, they are recommended for low and medium pressure.

Drive fitting tools are said to ease installation and prevent damage. As such, this grease fitting is an absolutely great option for anyone looking for an environmentally-friendly grease fitting.

3. Ball-type Fittings

There are numerous types of ball-type fittings. Ball-type fittings are identified by the smooth, dome-shaped nipple.

It features a ball check valve that reduces backflow when grease is applied.

Ball-type fittings are serviced using push-type grease fitting couplers. They can be identified by their shape and size, as well as by the fact that they are typically made of brass or bronze.

The standard size is 2″ and the standard size is available in Metric sizes.

4. Pin-types of Grease Fittings

Generally, most grease fittings are installed with a cross pin, but pin-type grease fittings are different.

They use a cross pin to create a positive lock with a special coupler. It helps to provide a leak-proof connection during servicing.

Pin-type grease fittings are one of the first styles of grease zerks manufactured.

They are still useful for vehicle restorations and other applications with a high flow rate.

One of the latest trends in the industry is the emergence of pin-type grease fitting.

These fittings are designed to allow for a positive lock in order to prevent any grease leaks.

5. Leak‑proof Fittings

Leak‑proof grease zerks are a great alternative to Traditional grease fittings. They are ideal for settings where grease fittings can leak.

Industrial applications, such as food processing, textile, and paper industries.

Leak‑proof fittings are available in sizes ranging from ¼” to 1/8″ in diameter and in a variety of materials, allowing for versatile design options.

6. Flush Grease Fittings

Flush grease fittings are low-profile, one-piece, high-pressure, high-temperature, and low-pressure fittings. They are made of brass or chrome-plated brass with a polyurethane flange.

The low-profile design makes them a great fit for shafts, pulleys, and other rotating assemblies.

Since flush-type grease zerks don’t protrude from their mat, they offer superior protection from leaks, corrosion, and component damage.

7. Flow Stop Fittings

Flow stop fittings are not your ordinary household faucets, they are special. They help to prevent over-greasing.

They have a built-in mechanism that prevents the faucet from overflowing.

These types of faucets prevent damage to seals. Flow stop fitting has a range of 3-30 psi.

This means that it is able to shut off at a pressure range that is perfect for most applications.

8. Safety Vent Fittings

Safety vent grease fittings are useful to ventilate the interior of grease fitting to prevent air from getting into or out of the fitting.

These fittings are externally similar to standard grease zerks but feature a milled vertical slot in the threads.

This safety slot serves as an air vent while grease is being applied to a mechanical component.

The slot also serves as a vertical access point for the user to insert a grease gun or grease gun rod.

9. Hydraulic Shut-off Fittings

Hydraulic shut-off grease fittings are useful to control the flow of grease that flows out of a fitting.

When the pressure in the system reaches a specific level, the pressure regulator closes and stops the flow of grease.

Once the pressure drops below 2 psi, the pressure regulator reopens and the grease begins flowing again.

Hydraulic shut-off fittings allow for precise control of the flow of grease and are commonly used in food service and industrial applications.

10. Breather Fittings

Breather fittings are useful in transmissions, differentials, gearboxes, speed reducers, and more.

They are also useful to maintain proper atmospheric pressure in transmissions and gearboxes.

The simple design of these zerk fittings provides a moisture barrier while maintaining airflow efficiency and reducing debris entry.

If you’re in the market for a breather valve, make sure to get one that is designed for the job.

11. Pressure Relief Grease Fittings

The pressure relief grease fittings are just what they sound like. They allow you to vent the grease off of your bearing while the pressure valve is open.

The design pressure (1 to 5 psi) is exceeded, and the valve opens to allow the grease to vent off.

When the pressure has been relieved, the valve closes to form a seal on the bearing.

12. Vent Fittings

A vent fitting in a lubricated assembly controls pressure by opening and closing in order to release excess pressure.

It is an important component in a lubricated assembly. The assembly uses a lubricant to reduce friction and wear and tear.

Vent grease fittings are manually actuated valves. They are often found in throttle bodies, carburetors, and other parts.

These grease fittings require a valve in order to release pressure build-up. Because of their importance, vent fittings are sometimes referred to as air vent fittings.

The purpose of a valve is to allow air to enter and exit the assembly while keeping oil and other lubricants in.

13. Oilers

Oil is essential in the operation of many types of machinery and is often expensive to buy.

Oilers are fittings useful on machinery to allow for oil to be poured into the lubrication point.

The oiler has a lid that has a spring hinge that is designed to automatically close when the oil is poured into the hole.

Oilers are important as they keep contaminants from entering the hole when the lid is not installed.

They are made from bar stock and are machined to have hex wrench holds.

14. Oil Reservoirs

Oil reservoirs are an essential component of any lubrication system that is to be installed properly.

This is because they provide the volume of lubrication needed to keep an oil-lubricated system well-lubricated.

Oil reservoirs are available in a range of sizes from 1 oz to 128 oz, ensuring that you have the perfect size for your reservoir.

15. Drive Oilers

A drive oiler is a component that is often useful in machinery. Examples such as pumps and gearboxes, that have a tapered shank that creates a tight fit in drilled or bored oil holes or ports.

Drive oilers feature a self-closing lid that prevents contaminants from entering the oil hole.

A Drive oiler is a specialized nozzle that is useful to pump oil into a hydraulic system.

They are typically useful in conjunction with large motors, such as those found in construction equipment.

Drive oilers are typically useful to provide lubrication and cooling to the moving parts of a machine.

16 Oil Cups

Oil cups have a long history of being useful for machine lubrication. They are simple and reliable components. They can be useful in a variety of applications.

Some simple examples of how to implement oil cups are in a conveyor belt system and a hydraulic system.

In the hydraulic system, oil cups are useful to provide a constant supply of oil that is used to lubricate moving parts

17. Oil Hole Covers

The oil hole covers are of high-quality plastic and are resistant to impact. They work with different sizes of oil fill points and are available in several colors to match your machine.

These covers are easy to clean and do not rust or corrode.

18. Vent Fittings

One of the most important tools in the construction industry is vent fitting. This device is useful to control pressure build-up in a lubricated assembly.

Pressure is built up in an air duct, by opening and closing in a pre‑determined range.

The vent fitting is typically a spring-loaded valve, that is hand-wheel manipulated.

When pressure builds, the vent fitting opens, allowing the pressure to escape.

When pressure is at the desired level, the vent fitting closes and the spring opens the valve.

19. Button Head Types of Grease Fitting

A Button Head Grease Fitting is a type of fitting designed for a high-volume flow of lubricant.

It provides a smooth working surface for easy coupler engagement and removal.

Button Head Grease Fitting is typically useful in automotive and industrial applications.

With its arrowhead shape, this fitting provides a wide lube path and a smooth working surface.

20. Thread-forming Types of Grease Fittings

Thread-forming grease fittings are a type of threaded connection that is used for the assembly of pipes and fittings and for the installation of valves.

They are preferred for their simplicity, economy, and easy installation.

These fittings are typically used in low- and medium-pressure systems but can be used in high-pressure systems as well.

Common Garage Tool used for Lubrication.

Grease Guns

Grease guns are a common tool that many people use in their garages or workshop.

They are used to introduce lubrication into a fitting or nipple.

This is a far less expensive and more effective way to get the job done than using a crescent wrench or channel-lock pliers. 

Grease Guns are very useful in the automotive industry, but they are also very useful household tools.

Grease guns are mainly used to help grease fittings and the like, but they can be used to apply grease to various surfaces, such as a door hinge, drawer, or cable.

They are typically powered by compressed air or electricity. There are four types of grease guns: lever, pistol grip, hand grip, and air-powered.

How do Grease Fittings Work?

The grease fitting is the small nipple that goes into the grease gun. It has a ball bearing in the tip to keep the grease in and contaminants out.

The grease gun attaches to the nipple connector on the grease fitting. There’s a small captive ball inside the nipple suspended by a spring.

Thus the ball is pushed up by the spring and a gasket prevents the grease from coming out of the fitting.

The grease flow is one of the most important parts of the engine and must be kept in good condition.

This prevents the engine from overheating and keeps the parts in good condition.

There are many possible reasons why the grease flow stops, but the most common is a particle preventing the valve from forming a proper seal.

In case you find grease coming out of the nipple connector after greasing, there’s the possibility of a particle preventing the valve from forming a proper seal.

They’re also used on some automotive components, such as the camshaft and crankshaft.

In contrast to grease fittings, mechanical seals are often located at a point where there is a large pressure difference between the lines.

Purpose of Grease Fittings

A grease fitting is a device that is used by mechanics to deliver lubricant through a bearing at moderate pressure.

The grease fitting is typically used in grease guns and other grease transfer systems.

It is a threaded fitting that fits onto a grease gun and is used to connect the grease gun to a bearing.

The fitting can be used with a set of wrenches, a ratchet, or a torque wrench to tighten or loosen the fitting.

Grease fittings are typically used to lubricate a bearing in a gearbox, transmission, or gearbox/transmission assembly. 

This helps to keep the moving parts in the system lubricated and prevent wear and tear on the system.

They are commonly found in automotive engines, power generation, and manufacturing.

How do you Clean the Grease Gun?

The first thing you should do is remove the cartridge. It’s usually located on top of the gun.

You want to make sure that the cartridge is pointing straight up.

Next, you want to run water through the cartridge. This will help to remove any grease that may be stuck in the filter.

If the cartridge still seems clogged, you can try using a toothbrush to clear the filter. But it may be more helpful to purchase a new cartridge and filter.

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Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our blog post on different types of grease fittings. There are so many questions about how these fittings work.

We shared a few points of our knowledge and expertise with you. We hope it will help you to make the best decision for your machine.

Also, we would be happy to hear from you at any time if you have any questions or comments about these fittings.