[TowerTalk] Best Grease for Rotor bearings ?

[Mickey Baker]

Interesting question, though and I'd propose that the choice of lubricants
may depend upon your geographic location.

I live on salt water in a tropical climate. I'm not concerned about low
temperature lubrication, but I am concerned about viscosity at sun-baked
temperatures, lubrication that doesn't disappear in wind whipped rainstorms
and overall corrosion resistance. I use Pennzoil multi purpose marine grease
on almost anything outside. I've rebuilt my rotators and used this grease
(sparingly) on the bearings.

Time will tell, but no problems so far.

73,

Mickey N4MB

On Sun, Oct 9, 2011 at 11:39 AM, Tom Anderson <andersonww5l at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> my thrust bearing is circa 1993 and has a grease fitting and the
> instructions then said to grease it.
>
> tom, ww5l
>
> --- On Sun, 10/9/11, K8RI on TT <k8ri-on-towertalk at tm.net> wrote:
>
> > From: K8RI on TT <k8ri-on-towertalk at tm.net>
> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Best Grease for Rotor bearings ?
> > To: towertalk at contesting.com
> > Date: Sunday, October 9, 2011, 12:43 AM
> > On 10/8/2011 11:17 PM, Tom Anderson
> > wrote:
> > > OOOps, I should have qualified my answer.  I was
> > referring to thrust bearings, not the bearings inside a
> > Yaesu rotor.  Yaesu may specify the type and weight of
> > the grease used on a rebuild.
> >
> > I use White Lithium grease.  Some rotator
> > manufacturers are using it
> > now. For thrust bearings...It all depends. ROHN says to run
> > theirs dry.
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Roger (K8RI)
> > > Tom, WW5L
> > >
> > > --- On Sat, 10/8/11, Tom Anderson<andersonww5l at sbcglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >> From: Tom Anderson<andersonww5l at sbcglobal.net>
> > >> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Best Grease for Rotor
> > bearings ?
> > >> To: towertalk at contesting.com,
> > "Chris Merchant KA1LMR"<ka1lmr at yahoo.com>
> > >> Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011, 10:13 PM
> > >> Chris:
> > >>
> > >> I always use "wheel bearing" grease since its made
> > for
> > >> bearings.  Same stuff mechanics supposedly
> > use when
> > >> cleaning and repacking your car wheel bearings.
> > The pros say
> > >> don't mix grease types like lithium with wheel
> > bearing,
> > >> etc.
> > >>
> > >> I use one of those small hand operated grease
> > guns, usually
> > >> $15 or less, available at Wal-Mart or most auto
> > supply (Pep
> > >> Boys, Auto Zone)stores , or tool stores such as
> > Northern
> > >> Tools or Harbor Freight. They also usually have
> > the
> > >> cartridges to fit both the small and large grease
> > >> guns.
> > >>
> > >> Northern Tool had one of their battery powered
> > grease guns
> > >> on sale a couple years ago, but I fotgot to get
> > one.
> > >>
> > >> I pump the grease in until it comes out of the
> > bearing and
> > >> usually have my XYL Cheryl (WY5H) operating the
> > rotor
> > >> control box in both directions, that way the
> > grease doesn't
> > >> goop up.  I always clean the excess up so it
> > doesn't
> > >> attract dirt.
> > >>
> > >> I usually grease the bearing twice or so a year.
> > >>
> > >> Tom, WW5L
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --- On Sat, 10/8/11, Chris Merchant KA1LMR<ka1lmr at yahoo.com>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> From: Chris Merchant KA1LMR<ka1lmr at yahoo.com>
> > >>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Best Grease for Rotor
> > bearings ?
> > >>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> > >>> Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011, 7:46 PM
> > >>> Whats is the best grease that will
> > >>> not gunk up in cold New England winters for
> > bearings
> > >> for
> > >>> repacking a  Yaesu G-800 rotor?
> > >>>
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-- 
Mickey Baker
Fort Lauderdale, FL
“Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me, and
I will learn.” Teton Lakota, American Indian Saying.