S-710DC Lever Action Grease Gun

Frequently Asked Questions: Lever Action Grease Gun

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

Four features decide whether a heavy-duty lever gun performs in Australian and New Zealand service routes: pressure rating, head material, loading flexibility and cartridge-market compatibility. On the S-710DC: 10,000 PSI (690 bar) maximum working pressure, CNC-machined aluminium die cast head with natural corrosion resistance, 4-way loading (cartridge, bulk, suction, filler pump), and the 57.15 mm wide barrel that accepts 450 g cartridges sold across Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands. Plus variable-stroke action that delivers full head pressure on partial lever swings. Useful for tight-clearance access on machinery where a full swing is blocked.

Is 10,000 PSI worth the extra cost over 6,000 PSI?

For daily-duty fleet service, agricultural contractor work and construction yards, yes. For occasional automotive use, 6,000 PSI is adequate. The S-710DC's 10,000 PSI (690 bar) is the pressure margin that breaks through crusted or contaminated zerk fittings on machinery left outdoors. At 6,000 PSI the gun may fail to seat grease in a neglected fitting and the operator ends up double-stroking or skipping the fitting entirely. The practical difference across a 40-fitting service round is five to eight fittings per machine that 6,000 PSI cannot clear. For mixed fleets where some equipment sits outdoors for weeks, 10,000 PSI is the reliability margin that prevents skipped lubrication points.

What is the output per stroke on the S-710DC 10,000 PSI lever grease gun?

The S-710DC outputs 1 gram per stroke, or 1 ounce per 28 strokes. A full 650 cc (20 oz.) fill delivers approximately 560 grams over 560 full-lever strokes. The 40:1 mechanical advantage of the lever multiplies 1 gram per stroke into 10,000 PSI at the coupler. Variable-stroke action lets the operator build that full head pressure on partial lever swings in tight-clearance access. Partial strokes still produce full pressure but deliver less volume per stroke. For planning purposes: a 20-gram fitting shot needs 20 full strokes, a 30-fitting tractor round needs 600 strokes, a 650 cc fill covers one full round plus margin.

What is the advantage of 4-way loading on a grease gun?

4-way loading means the S-710DC accepts grease from all four standard supply formats. Cartridge, bulk pail, suction fill or filler pump. Without adapters or conversion. (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 fleet operations). Then, suction fill from open containers (for specialty greases sold in open packaging only). After that, filler pump fill through an S-GFP or S-918 connector (fastest for multi-gun fleet workshops sharing one bulk container). 3-way loading omits the filler pump and forces manual bulk-fill for pail operations. On high-throughput fleet depots, 4-way saves significant reload time per shift.

How do you bleed air from a 4-way loading grease gun?

Bleed the S-710DC in five 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 trapped air from the 650 cc reservoir. Finally, retighten the head once grease flows without air bubbles at the seam. Never bleed against a connected fitting. Air must escape at the head, not into a bearing. The wide-barrel 650 cc reservoir can trap more air than narrow-barrel guns because its larger diameter creates more surface area for air pockets during bulk packing.

Can I use this grease gun for automotive and agricultural service?

Yes. The S-710DC covers both automotive and agricultural duty across Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands. Automotive use: wheel bearings, chassis zerks, driveshaft u-joints, steering linkages; 10,000 PSI is more than enough and the 20 oz. capacity covers multi-vehicle shop days. Agricultural use: tractor chassis (15-25 fittings per tractor), implement linkages, PTO shafts, baler bearings, header drive components. The 450 g cartridge compatibility is the key feature for farm-supply stocking because most Australian and NZ farm co-ops stock 450 g cartridges, not the worldwide 14 oz. (400 g) format. Mixed-duty shops running both automotive and agricultural work can keep one S-710DC loaded with multi-purpose lithium NLGI 2 grease to cover both categories.

Is a lever grease gun better than pistol grip for heavy equipment?

Yes for heavy equipment. Lever action develops 10,000 PSI versus typical pistol-grip output of 4,000-6,000 PSI, and delivers more grease per stroke through the longer lever arm. On excavator pin bushings, skid-steer loader arms, backhoe stabilizers and similar heavy-equipment fittings, the S-710DC's lever action clears crusted zerks that pistol grips cannot. The trade-off is two-handed operation. Pistol grips are preferred for overhead and one-handed access where the lever length gets in the way. For construction-site service where pins carry grease loads measured in kilograms per week per machine, the lever gun is the production tool. Pistol grips are the occasional-access backup. The S-710DC's variable-stroke action adds tight-clearance capability that standard lever guns lack.

Is a 10,000 PSI grease gun suitable for marine use?

Yes, the S-710DC is well-suited to coastal and marine service because the CNC-machined aluminium die cast head resists salt-air corrosion naturally, without protective coatings that wear off over time. Steel-head guns used in coastal Australia and NZ ports, marina workshops, fishing-vessel service and Pacific-island boat yards require more coating maintenance to resist chloride pitting. The aluminium head on the S-710DC is the maintenance-free alternative. Service applications include boat trailer bearings, marine winch assemblies, outboard motor fittings, commercial fishing equipment and dockside crane components. For 450 g cartridge markets where local grease stocking matters, the S-710DC is the marine-service choice. For 14 oz. worldwide cartridge operations, the S-724DC is the equivalent.

Is the die-cast aluminum head durable enough for daily use?

Yes, cNC-machined aluminium die cast heads are purpose-engineered for daily professional duty and outlast stamped-steel alternatives in humid or coastal environments because aluminium resists corrosion natively. The S-710DC's head is precision-machined to tolerances comparable to the Quadra-Cut steel heads on the S-710 and S-710L. Both head types pass 10+ years of daily workshop service when maintained correctly. The trade-off is drop tolerance: aluminium die cast can crack on severe impact onto concrete, while forged steel absorbs the same drop without damage. For controlled workshop environments, aluminium is the low-maintenance choice. For drop-heavy construction and mining yards, steel is the impact-margin choice.

How do I fix a grease gun that won't build pressure?

Loss of pressure build has four root causes in sequence. Air lock in the 650 cc wide-barrel reservoir. Next, stuck or contaminated non-return valve in the head. Then, worn plunger seal on the follower rod. After that, blocked coupler or flex hose. Troubleshoot: prime per the bleed procedure to rule out air lock. Disconnect the coupler and pump into open air to verify grease flow at the head (rules out coupler/hose). If no flow at head, unscrew the head and inspect the non-return valve seat for debris. If valve is clean, check the plunger seal for wear scoring on the follower rod. Replacement: valve springs, follower springs and plunger seals are standard spares in the STAR spare-parts kit for the S-710DC.

Why does grease come out the back of my grease gun?

Grease leaking past the plunger rod seal at the back of the barrel means the nitrile plunger seal is worn or damaged and needs replacement. The S-710DC's follower plate carries a seal that rides against the barrel wall as the follower advances. Over 12-18 months of daily service the seal develops circumferential wear from barrel friction. Once worn, grease under pressure bypasses the seal and appears at the back of the barrel during pumping. Replacement: empty the reservoir, unscrew the head, slide the follower rod out, replace the plunger seal from the STAR spare kit, reassemble with fresh grease lightly applied to the new seal. For S-710DC guns in high-volume fleet service, plan seal replacement annually. In occasional workshop service, every 2-3 years.

Can I use the S-710DC with synthetic grease?

Yes, the S-710DC is compatible with NLGI 1, 2 and 3 greases across all standard chemistries: lithium complex, calcium sulphonate, aluminium complex, polyurea, moly-fortified EP (extreme pressure) and synthetic PAO-based greases. Never mix different chemistries in the same gun. Incompatible thickeners separate when combined and can damage bearing seals. To switch grease types: empty the reservoir completely, wipe the wide barrel interior with solvent-dampened lint-free rag, solvent-clean the head internals and non-return valve, reassemble with the new grease. The aluminium head, hardened non-return valve seat and nitrile plunger seal are rated across -10°C to +80°C operating range for all common grease chemistries used in Australian, NZ and Pacific-island service.

How do you store a lever grease gun properly?

Store the S-710DC 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 storage over 30 days: drain the reservoir completely, wipe the barrel interior with solvent, reassemble with the plunger seal lightly greased, store dry at 10-30°C. Never leave the S-710DC in open utility-vehicle beds overnight in the Outback or Pacific heat where temperature cycling accelerates oil separation.

What PPE should I wear when using a high pressure grease gun?

Mandatory PPE at 10,000 PSI (690 bar): wraparound safety glasses, nitrile chemical-resistant gloves, closed-toe steel-capped boots and 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 12" flex hose before each use for cracks, bulges or stiffness, never test grease flow by pressing the coupler against skin or fabric. At 10,000 PSI, a pinhole in the hose or an unseated coupler can drive grease through skin and requires immediate surgical treatment. Grease injection injuries are a recognized occupational hazard with amputation risk if treatment is delayed. Any suspected injection injury is a surgical emergency, not a minor wound.

Is a 650 cc capacity grease gun better than 500 cc?

For shops with service routes covering multiple machines per shift, yes. For single-bay workshops, 500 cc is adequate. Break-even analysis at 20 grams per typical fitting: 500 cc services 25 fittings, 650 cc services 32-33. For a farm-supply depot running 8-10 implement-service jobs per day at 20-25 fittings each, the 650 cc S-710DC saves one-to-two reloads per shift versus 500 cc alternatives. For a single-bay workshop doing 2-3 service jobs per day, the 500 cc S-707DC is sized appropriately and lighter to handle. Step up further to the 900 cc S-710L for Australian/NZ fleet-service routes covering 40+ fittings per fill.

What is the difference between 450 g and 400 g grease cartridges?

450 g cartridges are the Australian, New Zealand and Pacific-island grease-supply standard; 400 g (14 oz.) cartridges are the worldwide standard used in North America, Europe, Asia and most export markets. The cartridge markets differ by barrel diameter: 450 g cartridges are wider, requiring a 57.15 mm wide-barrel gun like the S-710DC; 400 g cartridges fit the worldwide narrower barrel used on guns like the S-707, S-724 and S-724DC. The S-710DC's wide barrel cannot accept 14 oz. cartridges. Conversely, worldwide guns cannot accept 450 g cartridges. Pick by regional grease-supply stocking. For Australian farm co-ops, marine chandleries and NZ rural supply, 450 g is the stocked format and the S-710DC is the matching gun.