Grease gears on 20" planer?

[themoon]

I was reading my manual and it says to grease the drive chain "frequently". No set hours or any other information. Just says frequently. Sooooo... Anyone else have an opinion on how often I really need to do this? It's not like I'm using it THAT much.

If I need to do it:
What grease would you use?
Do you remove the old? Or just slap more on there?

Also there are 4 small hex screws up top with the verbiage, lubricate every 30 hours. I've been doing that but... does anyone know what these are for? I can't find anywhere in the manual their purpose and searching hasn't given me any good results. Just curious where these "drops" of oil are going.

[themoon]

Here's a pic. Drive chain. The message is above that.

[Lumber Yard®]

Here is the Grizzly 20" manual. Look under maintenance... your answer is there.

https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g0454_m.pdf

[fredhargis]

That didn't seem to list an interval (that I found). I'll offer this:  I wouldn't fret about the interval too much. I've had a Delta 15" for 18 years and I think I've lubed the chain maybe twice. Bear in mind, this is hobbyist use...and while I may not be lubing enough my point is for a hobbyist it's not nearly as important as it would be with commercial use. The Griz manual (and mine, for the record) recommend an annual gearbox oil change. Are you kidding me? Again, in hobbyist use the machine may run 20 hours a year (?), probably less. I've changed my gearbox grease  twice since  I've had it. The planer will still outlast me. Just my opinion. But if you're obsessive about it, schedule an annual lube up and go through everything. Would be worth it just for the peace of mind.

[Lumber Yard®]

That didn't seem to list an interval (that I found). I'll offer this:  I wouldn't fret about the interval too much. I've had a Delta 15" for 18 years and I think I've lubed the chain maybe twice. Bear in mind, this is hobbyist use...and while I may not be lubing enough my point is for a hobbyist it's not nearly as important as it would be with commercial use. The Griz manual (and mine, for the record) recommend an annual gearbox oil change. Are you kidding me? Again, in hobbyist use the machine may run 20 hours a year (?), probably less. I've changed my gearbox grease  twice since  I've had it. The planer will still outlast me. Just my opinion. But if you're obsessive about it, schedule an annual lube up and go through everything. Would be worth it just for the peace of mind.

I agree with everything stated above, like you IMO it's not worth stressing about too much in hobby use... BTW the interval is listed in the manual I linked above:

Every 160 Hours of Operation: • Check/tension/replace V-belts (Page 37). • Clean/vacuum dust buildup from inside cabinet and off motor. • Lubricate table height worm gear (Page 31). • Lubricate table height chain and sprockets (Page 32). • Lubricate drive chain and sprockets (Page 32).

Drive Chain & Sprockets The infeed and outfeed rollers receive the transferred power from the cutterhead through the drive chain system on the right side of the machine, as shown in Figure 31. Remove the table height handwheel and the safety covers attached to the inside of the drive chain cover, then remove the cover to access these parts. Use shop rags and mineral spirits to clean away any debris and grime, then brush on a light coat of multi-purpose grease to the chain and sprockets


The rest of the machine maintenance schedule is in there as well.

[fredhargis]

Sorry, missed that. So if the 20 hours I guessed a year is correct (doubtful) it would be every 8 years....sure seems like something not to fret over.

[themoon]

I didn't think I should fret but I also figured I'd ask on here, since you guys are all way smarter than me.

I'll leave it be then. I just happened to see in my manual and wasn't sure if I should be messing with it or not.

Oh, but hey, do either of you know what those little holes up top I'm supposed to drop oil in to are? I took one out and all there was below it, I found a spring and the hex bolt. No idea what's their use.

[Stwood_]

I didn't think I should fret but I also figured I'd ask on here, since you guys are all way smarter than me.

I'll leave it be then. I just happened to see in my manual and wasn't sure if I should be messing with it or not.

Oh, but hey, do either of you know what those little holes up top I'm supposed to drop oil in to are? I took one out and all there was below it, I found a spring and the hex bolt. No idea what's their use.

Those are for the roller shafts. Oil frequently, as in often. There are no bearings or bushings on those. Shafts ride on the casting.
I keep a oil can sitting there.

[themoon]

Ahhhh. You mean the rollers that push my wood through? I will definitely keep them oiled up frequently then. I wonder if that was that slight whine I'd hear once in awhile. Thank you for replying, greatly appreciated it!

[Stwood_]

Ahhhh. You mean the rollers that push my wood through? I will definitely keep them oiled up frequently then. I wonder if that was that slight whine I'd hear once in awhile. Thank you for replying, greatly appreciated it!

Yes