S-706A Lever Action Grease Gun

Frequently Asked Questions: V-Series Lever Action Grease Gun with Auto Bleeder

What is the V-Series auto bleeder valve and why does it matter?

The V-Series auto bleeder is a spring-loaded valve built into the head of the S-706A that vents trapped air out the top during reloading without operator intervention. Air gets trapped between the grease and the plunger every time a lever grease gun is reloaded. On standard guns, the operator must loosen the head 1/4 turn to bleed this air, a step that is commonly skipped or done incorrectly, causing air lock and "pumps without dispensing" failure. The S-706A auto bleeder opens automatically as pressure builds, vents the air, and seals once grease reaches the valve seat. It matters most in high-reload environments (service bays, production lines) and in cold weather where stiffened grease makes manual bleeding slow and unreliable.

Is 6,000 PSI enough for automotive and agricultural applications?

Yes. 6,000 PSI (413 bar) clears approximately 85% of automotive chassis fittings and agricultural tractor zerks without assistance. The remaining 15% (badly crusted fittings on vehicles over 10 years old or neglected equipment) may stall a 6,000 PSI gun, in which case the answer is cleaning or replacing the zerk nipple rather than forcing higher pressure. The S-706A's 6,000 PSI matches the zerk fitting design rating (SAE J534 standard couplers are rated 10,000 PSI max, but most zerks seal properly at 4,000-6,000 PSI). For consistent heavy-duty work with older equipment, the 8,000 PSI S-706 or 12,000 PSI S-707 is a better match.

How many strokes does the S-706A need to fill a chassis zerk?

The S-706A delivers 1 gram per stroke (1 oz. per 28 strokes). A typical chassis fitting needs 3-5 strokes (3-5 grams). A ball joint needs 3 strokes. A U-joint needs 5-8 strokes. A sealed wheel bearing via zerk needs 10-15 strokes. Stop when fresh grease appears at the fitting seal. Over-pumping blows rubber boots and contaminates brake components. The auto bleeder does not change the output per stroke, only the reload/priming speed. Count strokes using the equipment service manual spec as your reference point. A full 14 oz. cartridge loads approximately 400 strokes total, serving 25-30 typical chassis fittings.

How do I load a 14 oz. cartridge (14 oz. refill) into the S-706A?

To load a 14 oz. Refill cartridge. Unscrew the head fully. Next, pull the plunger rod back to expose the empty barrel. Then, pull the tab off both ends of the cartridge nozzle end. After that, insert the cartridge bottom-first into the barrel with the nozzle pull-tab end facing up toward the head. From there, screw the head back on fully. Finally, release the plunger rod so the spring pushes against the cartridge base. Pump the lever 3-5 times to prime. The auto bleeder valve will vent any trapped air during the first strokes: you will see a small amount of air escape the valve, then it seals. If grease still will not flow after 10 strokes, manually press the bleeder valve release to quick-vent.

How do I use the bleed valve safely on a lever grease gun?

On the S-706A, the automatic bleeder valve requires no manual operation during normal use. It opens during reloading and seals automatically. The manual override (quick-vent press) is for troubleshooting cold weather or stubborn air lock situations. To use the manual override: point the gun away from your face and body (trapped air can eject grease at high velocity), press the bleeder button firmly with your thumb, hold for 2-3 seconds until the hiss stops, then release. Never look directly at the bleeder valve while pressing. Never attempt to override a bleeder valve that is grease-clogged. Clean it with solvent first. If the automatic valve itself needs replacement after extended service, the S-ARV/A Automatic Air Release Valve is the direct replacement part, available with 1/8" BSPT, 1/8" NPT, or M10 x 1 threading. On older standard guns without auto bleeders, the equivalent operation is loosening the head 1/4 turn, which carries the same eject risk.

Does grease get too viscous to prime in cold weather?

Yes, nLGI 2 multi-purpose lithium grease flows approximately 3x slower at -10°C than at 20°C, and below -20°C standard lever grease guns often fail to prime entirely. The cold weather priming advantage of the S-706A V-Series comes from the auto bleeder valve: stiffened grease cannot push trapped air out through the head of a standard gun, because the air has no positive vent path. The S-706A auto bleeder creates that vent path independent of grease flow rate. For operations regularly below -10°C, combine the S-706A with NLGI 1 or NLGI 0 grease (formulated for low-temperature flow), store the gun indoors overnight, and allow 2-3 minutes of warm-up before first use in extreme cold.

What is oil bleeding in a grease gun and how do I fix it?

Oil bleeding (also called grease separation) happens when the base oil separates from the soap thickener in stored grease, leaving a puddle of thin oil at the top of the cartridge or barrel. It is normal for small amounts of oil to separate in long-stored grease: this is not a defect. Fix by. Kneading the cartridge between your hands for 30 seconds to re-emulsify the oil and soap. Next, loading the cartridge. Then, pumping 5-10 strokes to waste to clear any separated oil. After that, then greasing fittings normally. If bleeding is severe (>10% oil separation visible), the grease has exceeded its shelf life and should be replaced. The S-706A auto bleeder does not prevent oil bleeding at the cartridge level. It only vents trapped air during loading.

Why does grease ooze past the bleeder screw but not pump through the coupler?

This symptom indicates the pumping mechanism has failed while the auto bleeder is seating correctly: the non-return valve in the head is stuck, the plunger seal is worn, or there is debris blocking the pump outlet. Diagnostic order. Disconnect the coupler and try pumping directly from the head outlet: if grease flows, the coupler or hose is blocked. Next, if grease still will not flow from the outlet, disassemble the head and inspect the non-return valve for debris or wear. Then, replace the valve assembly from the STAR spare parts kit if worn. Do not force the lever if it pumps air or oozes grease only from the bleeder, which damages internal seals. Stop and diagnose.

How do I know if the S-706A is fully primed?

The S-706A is fully primed when pumping the lever delivers a steady stream of grease with no sputtering, no air bubbles visible at the hose or coupler outlet, and the lever has consistent resistance across the full stroke. Signs of incomplete priming: intermittent grease flow, lever pumps without dispensing, audible "hiss" from the coupler suggesting air escape, or lever that feels soft and inconsistent. The auto bleeder on the S-706A should eliminate these symptoms on first or second pump stroke. If priming issues persist, the auto bleeder may be grease-clogged from stored residue. Clean with solvent. In cold weather, allow the gun to warm to room temperature before priming.

How do I prevent cross-contamination when changing grease types?

Different grease thickeners (lithium, calcium, polyurea, aluminum complex) can form hard deposits when mixed. Prevent cross-contamination by fully flushing the S-706A barrel before switching types. Procedure. Pump out all remaining old grease from the barrel and hose until the lever becomes hard to pump. Next, disassemble the head and wipe internal surfaces with a clean rag. Then, pump 2-3 strokes of the new grease to waste to clear any residue. After that, then load a fresh cartridge or bulk grease. Switching between NLGI grades of the same thickener (NLGI 1 to NLGI 2 lithium) is safe without flushing. Switching thickener chemistry (lithium to polyurea) requires a full flush. Compatibility charts are available from grease manufacturers.

How do I flush the S-706A when switching grease brands?

Full flush procedure for the S-706A. Pump all remaining grease from the current cartridge or bulk load until the barrel is empty. Next, remove the head, wipe internal barrel walls with a solvent-dampened rag. Then, check the auto bleeder valve for old grease residue and clean with solvent if needed. After that, reload with the new grease. From there, pump 5-10 strokes to waste to clear any remaining old grease at the pump outlet. The auto bleeder valve is the critical check point: stored grease residue can clog the valve over time, defeating the V-Series advantage. Include the valve in every flush cycle. For major thickener chemistry changes, consider using a purge grease (intentionally compatible across types) as an intermediate flush.

How should I store the S-706A between jobs and for long-term storage?

For daily storage: leave the gun loaded, hang vertically with the head up and coupler down, auto bleeder valve facing upward (so any separated oil does not pool on the valve). For long-term storage (over 30 days). Clean the external coupler and hose to prevent dirt accumulation. Next, back off the lever so no residual pressure remains in the pumping chamber. Then, confirm the auto bleeder valve is clean and properly seated. After that, store in a dry location at 10-30°C. Avoid temperature extremes that separate grease oils from the soap base and can clog the auto bleeder valve. When returning to use after extended storage, pump 3-5 strokes to waste before greasing actual fittings. The first strokes may contain oxidized grease or separated oil.

What injuries can a 6,000 PSI grease gun cause if misused?

At 6,000 PSI, grease injection injuries from a burst hose or coupler misfire are serious surgical emergencies, not minor cuts. Injected grease does not come out naturally and requires surgical removal, often with permanent tissue damage or amputation if treatment is delayed. Three main injury vectors on the S-706A V-Series. Burst hose if the 12 inch flexible hose has internal cracks or bulges. Inspect before every use. Next, pressurized auto bleeder valve releasing grease backward if the valve is clogged and forces past the seal. Always point the gun away from face. Then, coupler failure on worn zerk fittings. Replace zerks that show jaw wear before they slip under pressure. Always wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves. If grease injection occurs, go to emergency immediately and state it is a high-pressure grease injection injury.

Can I use a locking coupler on the S-706A?

Yes, the S-706A V-Series accepts any standard 1/8" BSPT / 1/8" NPT / M10 x 1 threaded coupler, including hydraulic couplers, 4-jaw couplers with ball check, locking couplers, and needle adapters. Locking couplers clamp onto the zerk fitting hands-free, useful on overhead fittings or in tight spaces where holding the coupler in place is impractical. Note that the auto bleeder valve operates independently of the coupler choice. Switching to a locking coupler does not affect V-Series auto-bleeding behavior. Match the coupler thread to your S-706A's specified thread option. See Couplers & Connectors for the full range and rebuild kit availability (rebuild kits exist for specific premium models only).