oiling roller chains advice

zooeyhall · Oct 20, 2014

I have an IHC 303 combine I harvest about 150 acres with. I currently oil the roller chains on the combine and corn head with an oil can while they are running, and use 85W-140 oil. Some have told me this is too thick an oil to use, but I like it because it seems to stay on the chains. Others have told me to use spray chain lube, but that gets rather expensive.

So what is the best oil and best way to lubricate roller chain?

JMS/.MN · Oct 20, 2014

Used eng/hyd oil. That"s how we get rid of the old stuff. Wouldn"t waste expensive new oil on chains.

Bob Bancroft · Oct 20, 2014

At a Gleaner seminar years ago they gave out a recipe for chain lube. I can't recall it, but it included some "motor honey" and some graphite. Dad mixed it up and used it religiously.

They also said at the end of the day, when the chains are warm, is the best time to lube them, running at an idle. Lube will soak in, excess drips off. Cold chains lubed just before going to the field throw most of it off. Likewise- lubing anything like that at the end of the season, before storage, may be more beneficial than pre-season lube.

Dick2 · Oct 20, 2014

I agree!

Dave Sherburne NY · Oct 20, 2014

Fella I combined for always used bar and chainsaw oil on roller chains every 4 hours everything else got used motor oil

Kell · Oct 20, 2014

Good motorcycle chain lube. Actually sticks to the chain, lasts at least 10x longer, and repels dust. Gear or engine oil dumps into the ground and sticks to everything BUT the chain.

Kell · Oct 20, 2014

How about recycling it instead of "getting rid of it"? It's not hard to do and it's a lot better for the environment.

Case Nutty 1660 · Oct 20, 2014

I have used the spray lube, some is ok some seems like a total waste to me, I have found the key to lubing chains is to lube them when you shut down for the day, Before you shut of the drives while the chains are warm, this seems to allow the chains to absorb the lube better I also have found the best lube for me is 15-40 dsl oil, I too use used oil on my round baler chains but combines I do not want the black oil slung all over, my two cents
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Kell · Oct 20, 2014

Try <a href=http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-super-clean-chain-lube>this stuff</a>, if you can find it.

BradyW · Oct 21, 2014

I use used motor oil, poured through a screen/old peace of t-shirt to filter it. than apply with a cleaned out ketchup bottle, sometime rub a little gun grease on also. Using a Ketchup plastic bottle allows you to stay safely away from moving parts, aim one handed and get a nice volume of oil on a moving chain. much better than trying to pump a small oil can...

BradyW · Oct 21, 2014

No, use the rest to start the garbage on fire in the burn barrel...

John_PA · Oct 21, 2014

Napa "Chain and Cable Lube"

I don't know what is in it, but it foams up when it hits the chain and sticks like no other. It isn't cheap but, it works extremely well.

Certified crane inspectors, and certified crane operators live on this stuff for crane cables. I can't argue.

EDIT: I gleaned that picture off the internet. I just wanted a visual. My hands are a lot softer and younger looking than the crusty old mechanic's hand in the photo.

Bob · Oct 23, 2014

You're doing FINE. What the others have posted may be a little better or a little worse, but there's nothing wrong with what you are doing.

When you make a post on the 'net, though, you will get 10 posts criticizing what you are doing for everyone that agrees!

Jon Hagen · Oct 26, 2014

Best chain lube I have found is chain saw "bar & chain oil". About $6 per gallon and has a sticky additive that makes it cling to chains .

I oil chains at the start in morning, and it is a joy to still see the chains shiny wet with oil at quitting time at night.
Apply it with a long spout quart oil pumper can from TSC.

oiling roller chains advice

zooeyhall

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JMS/.MN

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Bob Bancroft

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Dick2

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Dave Sherburne NY

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Kell

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Kell

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Case Nutty 1660

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Kell

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BradyW

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BradyW

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John_PA

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Bob

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Jon Hagen

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