S-710 Lever Action Grease Gun

Frequently Asked Questions: Lever Action Grease Gun

What features should I look for in a heavy duty grease gun?

Four features decide whether a lever gun performs in Australian, New Zealand and Pacific-island service: pressure rating, head construction, cartridge-market compatibility and loading flexibility. On the S-710: 12,000 PSI (830 bar) maximum working pressure, drop-resistant forged steel head with Quadra-Cut Precision machining, 57.15 mm wide barrel accepting 450 g cartridges stocked across Australia, NZ and Pacific-island rural supply chains, and 4-way loading (cartridge, bulk, suction, filler pump). Drop-resistant steel is the key feature separating the S-710 from aluminium-head alternatives. Steel survives the knocks routine on Australian farm utes and construction yards.

Why choose a steel head grease gun over aluminum?

Drop-resistant forged steel survives mechanical shock and tool-box knocks that can crack aluminium die cast heads. The S-710's Quadra-Cut Precision steel head is the choice for drop-heavy service environments: construction yards, mining contractor utes, agricultural field service where tools get thrown and dropped onto concrete, rock and steel deck plates. Aluminium die cast heads on the S-710DC variant excel in coastal and marine service where corrosion resistance matters but can crack from severe drops. For Australian Outback mining, NZ Alpine construction and Pacific-island agricultural field work, the S-710's steel head is the drop-tolerance margin that prevents job-site gun failure.

Do I need a 10,000 psi grease gun or is 12,000 psi worth the step up?

6,000 PSI handles standard automotive, agricultural and general-maintenance fittings; 10,000 PSI clears crusted or contaminated zerks on heavy equipment left outdoors; 12,000 PSI (S-710) clears the worst fittings in mining, large construction and extended-outdoor-service applications. For typical Australian farm utility work with 15-25 fittings per vehicle, 6,000 PSI is adequate. For mixed farm + fleet work covering agricultural implements left in paddocks for months, 10,000 PSI becomes the reliability margin. For mining haul trucks, wind turbines, long-conveyor systems and coastal industrial plants where fittings develop heavy contamination, the S-710's 12,000 PSI is the pressure tier that prevents skipped lubrication points on multi-fitting service rounds.

What does 4-way loading mean on a grease gun?

4-way loading means the S-710 accepts grease from all four standard supply formats without adapters or conversion: cartridge, bulk pail, suction fill, and filler pump. (1) 450 g cartridge ; Australian/NZ standard, fastest reload for workshop service. Next, bulk fill from 5 kg, 15 kg or 18 kg pails . Most economical for high-volume farm and fleet operations. Then, suction fill from open containers. For specialty greases available in open packaging only. After that, filler pump fill through an S-GFP connector. Fastest for multi-gun fleet workshops sharing one bulk container. 3-way loading omits the filler pump; 4-way is the full flexibility tier that matches Australian and NZ rural supply's range of packaging formats.

How do you load a grease gun with bulk grease?

Bulk-fill the S-710 from a 5 kg, 15 kg or 18 kg grease pail in six steps. (1) Retract the plunger rod fully and lock it into the side slot on the barrel. Next, Unscrew the wide barrel from the head. Then, Dip the barrel mouth into the grease pail and pack grease firmly into the reservoir using a scoop or spatula to avoid air pockets. After that, Screw the barrel back onto the head. From there, Release the plunger rod from the side-slot lock so the heavy follower spring seats the grease column against the head. Finally, Crack the head a quarter turn, pump 5-8 strokes to purge air, retighten once grease flows without air bubbles at the head seam. Bulk fill is the economy choice for Australian rural contractors and farm supply centres running multiple reloads per shift.

How do you prime a grease gun after loading?

Prime the S-710 in four steps after every reload. Ensure the head is screwed snug against the wide barrel. Next, crack the head a quarter turn to open the bleed path. Then, disconnect the coupler from any fitting. After that, pump the lever five to eight full strokes to purge air until grease flows from the head seam without bubbles, then retighten the head. The 450 g wide-barrel reservoir can trap more air than narrow-barrel guns because the larger diameter creates more surface area for air pockets during bulk packing. Always prime with the coupler disconnected. Air must escape at the head, not into a bearing. If priming takes more than 8-10 strokes, check for incomplete bulk packing or a worn plunger seal.

Can you mix different greases in a grease gun?

No. Never mix different grease chemistries in the same gun . Incompatible thickeners separate and can damage bearing seals downstream. Lithium complex, calcium sulphonate, aluminium complex and polyurea thickeners all use different chemistry and form slurry when combined. To change grease types in the S-710: empty the wide-barrel reservoir completely, unscrew the head, wipe the barrel interior with solvent-dampened lint-free rag, solvent-clean the Quadra-Cut head internals and non-return valve, reassemble with the new grease and prime per the priming procedure. For Australian and NZ fleet operations running multiple grease types, dedicate one S-710 per grease chemistry and label each gun with chemistry and NLGI grade.

Why is my grease gun not pumping grease?

A non-pumping S-710 has four possible root causes ranked by frequency. Air lock in the wide-barrel reservoir. Next, stuck or hardened grease in the non-return valve. Then, plunger stuck in the barrel from dried grease. After that, disengaged plunger rod not pressing the follower against the grease column. Diagnostic sequence: verify the plunger rod is engaged and pressing. Bleed air per the priming procedure. Disconnect the coupler and pump into open air to check flow at the head. If no flow, unscrew the head and inspect the non-return valve for contamination. Clear hardened grease with solvent flush. For fleet operators in dusty Outback conditions, quarterly deep-cleans prevent most non-pump scenarios from developing.

Why is my grease gun leaking?

Grease leaking on the S-710 has three common causes. Head not fully tightened to the wide barrel after bulk fill. Next, worn plunger seal allowing grease past the follower at the back of the barrel. Then, damaged coupler jaws allowing grease to escape at the fitting connection. Fix sequence: confirm the head is threaded fully home with the seal compressed (rolled threads on the S-710 make full tightening easy). Inspect the plunger seal on the follower rod for circumferential wear and replace from the STAR spare kit if worn. Replace the coupler if the jaws show visible wear. In Australian outdoor service, hose fatigue from UV exposure can also cause seam leaks. Inspect the 12" flex hose monthly and replace every 2-3 years in continuous outdoor use.

How do you bleed air from a lever grease gun?

Bleed air from the S-710 in five steps. Retract the plunger rod fully and lock it into the side slot. Next, crack the head a quarter turn to open the bleed path. Then, release the plunger rod so the follower spring compresses the grease column against the head. After that, pump the lever through 5-8 full strokes while holding the gun with the head tilted slightly upward. Finally, retighten the head once grease flows from the head seam without air bubbles. The tilt helps trapped air rise to the head where it can escape through the bleed gap. Never try to bleed air while the coupler is connected to a fitting. Air will escape into the bearing and potentially damage seals.

How many strokes does it take to dispense 1 oz of grease on the S-710?

The S-710 delivers 1 gram per stroke, or 1 ounce per 28 strokes. A full 900 cc (30 oz.) fill delivers approximately 810 grams across 810 full-lever strokes. The 40:1 mechanical advantage of the lever multiplies 1 gram of volume into 12,000 PSI at the coupler. For service planning: a 20-gram fitting shot needs 20 lever strokes, a 30-fitting tractor service needs 600 strokes, a 450 g cartridge delivers 450 strokes and covers 22 typical fittings. Stroke-count planning works precisely on the S-710 because output is constant across the full reservoir. The first stroke after reload and the last stroke before empty both deliver 1 gram at full pressure.

Is a lever grease gun better than a pistol grip for tractors?

Yes for agricultural tractor service. Lever action develops 12,000 PSI versus typical pistol-grip 4,000-6,000 PSI, and delivers more grease per stroke through the longer lever arm. On tractor chassis fittings, PTO shafts, implement linkages, baler bearings and header drive components, the S-710's lever action clears crusted zerks that pistol grips cannot seat. The trade-off is two-handed operation. Pistol grips serve better for overhead or one-handed reach on harvester cabs and tight cab-floor fittings. For Australian and NZ broadacre farm service where tractor service may cover 20-30 fittings per machine and tools sit outdoors for months, the S-710 is the primary tool. Keep a pistol-grip as backup for tight-clearance fittings only.

How should I store my lever grease gun?

Store the S-710 horizontally with the plunger rod disengaged for any period over a week with grease loaded. Oil bleed (base oil separating from grease thickener) happens faster in partially-loaded wide-barrel reservoirs because the larger diameter exposes more grease surface area to gravity-driven separation. Horizontal storage minimizes settling. Releasing the plunger rod from the side-slot lock lets the follower spring keep the grease column compressed against the head. For Outback and tropical Pacific-island storage where temperatures cycle 20°C+ daily, the effect is amplified. Drain and clean the S-710 before periods over 60 days in heat. Never leave the gun in open utility-vehicle beds overnight where temperature cycling accelerates oil separation.

How do I clean and flush a grease gun?

Deep clean the S-710 in seven steps. (1) Depressurize by retracting the plunger rod and pressing the bleeder valve. Next, Empty the wide-barrel reservoir through the coupler into a waste container. Then, Unscrew the head and remove any remaining grease with a plastic scraper. After that, Wipe the barrel interior with solvent-dampened lint-free rag. From there, Solvent-clean the Quadra-Cut head internals and non-return valve. Finally, Inspect the plunger rod seal for circumferential wear. Replace from the STAR spare kit if worn. And last, Reassemble with fresh grease and prime per the priming procedure. Schedule: every 60 days for fleet-service use, every 6 months for workshop use, annually for occasional service.

What safety precautions should I take with a 12,000 PSI grease gun?

Yes. At 12,000 PSI (830 bar), a pinhole in the hose or an unseated coupler can drive grease through intact skin and cause grease injection injury. Untreated grease injection injury can progress to tissue necrosis and amputation. Mandatory PPE at 12,000 PSI: wraparound safety glasses, nitrile chemical-resistant gloves, closed-toe steel-capped boots, long-sleeve protective clothing. Safety rules: never point the coupler or flex hose at any body part, keep the lever-hand behind the coupler head, inspect the flex hose before each use for cracks or bulges, never test grease flow by pressing the coupler against skin or fabric. Any suspected injection injury is a surgical emergency requiring immediate hospital treatment. The initial wound may look minor but the underlying tissue damage is severe.

What equipment needs a 10,000 psi grease gun?

At 12,000 PSI the S-710 exceeds 10,000 PSI and handles all equipment in that category plus heavier applications. Equipment requiring 10,000+ PSI lever guns: mining haul trucks (45-60 fittings, crusted from dust and vibration), construction excavator pins (heavy shock loading fittings), agricultural implements left outdoors between seasons, heavy truck fleet chassis with contaminated zerks, industrial plant conveyor bearings with packed-in debris, wind turbine gearbox points. For typical Australian and NZ rural and fleet service, the S-710's 12,000 PSI provides margin above the 10,000 PSI threshold so no fitting is unreachable. For lighter automotive and light-fleet duty only, the 6,000 PSI S-707DC is adequate and lighter to handle.