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Best Lubricant For Fifth Wheel Handle Pivots

DriveSafely

DriveSafely

Redneck Anthropologist
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I've looked all over the internet as much as I can, and asked tractor mechanics, but I can't get a good answer. So I'm asking here.

Doing a lot of dropping and hooking, it helps to keep the fifth wheel handle latch pivots lubricated. I'm talking about the pivots that are underneath the fifth wheel, not the jaws or the fifth wheel plate itself. Fifth wheel grease is too thick to use on these, and in cold weather, it can actually make the handle nearly impossible to pull out. I've been using PB Blaster, but as soon as there's a good rain, that stuff washes off.

What IS the best kind of lubricant to use on these? It has to be thin enough that it will run down into the places it needs to go, and probably needs to be a sprayable lube, but not so thick that it either just sits on the surface of the pivot (like white lithium grease), or just wash back off almost immediately like PB Blaster.
 
You ever tried lithium grease?

It comes in a spray can
 
Schaeffer Manufacturing Co. 0190-011S Penetro 90, 13 oz.

And


Schaeffer Manufacturing Co.0202-011S Moly 5th Wheel Lube Spray, 16 oz. Aerosol Can

You can order them on Amazon. The first is a step up from PB and is water resistant
 
DriveSafely said:
I've looked all over the internet as much as I can, and asked tractor mechanics, but I can't get a good answer. So I'm asking here.

Doing a lot of dropping and hooking, it helps to keep the fifth wheel handle latch pivots lubricated. I'm talking about the pivots that are underneath the fifth wheel, not the jaws or the fifth wheel plate itself. Fifth wheel grease is too thick to use on these, and in cold weather, it can actually make the handle nearly impossible to pull out. I've been using PB Blaster, but as soon as there's a good rain, that stuff washes off.

What IS the best kind of lubricant to use on these? It has to be thin enough that it will run down into the places it needs to go, and probably needs to be a sprayable lube, but not so thick that it either just sits on the surface of the pivot (like white lithium grease), or just wash back off almost immediately like PB Blaster.
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when i did yard work a few years ago, i had to use a road tractor, not a yard horse. i can remember that i had a can of WD 40 in my bag. that's all i'd use, since most nearly 99% of the time, i'd be in the company yard. the few times i'd have to go off the property didn't matter much to me.

WD 40 can be had for cheap at many places, over PB Blaster, and doesn't smell as bad either, if you get it on your clothing/gloves, or hands...
 
GREETINGS DriveSafely and WELCOME ABOARD!!

Having been Driving Class A Trucks since late '98, I've NEVER heard of such a specific Grease.
I've used White Lithium Grease however slathering 5th wheel Grease on handle action points (with a Putty Knife) worked well and didn't "wash off".
Dry Lube (like for Locks) works well too.

Keeping the Jaws well lubed usually keeps the Release mechanism operating efficiently.

--The BEST 5th Wheel Release mechanism is the Air type with Release Valve mounted on Cab Panel near Parking/Release Brake Valves. Only works with Tractor Parking Brake set.--
CHEERS!!
 
A fellow I work with keeps a spray bottle filled with diesel fuel and sprays his mechanisms down a few times a week, he says he can pull his handle at ease with 2 fingers. I never have tried it personally.
 
Frootloop said:
A fellow I work with keeps a spray bottle filled with diesel fuel and sprays his mechanisms down a few times a week, he says he can pull his handle at ease with 2 fingers. I never have tried it personally.
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Truck drivers don't do these things, thats why we have mechanics service isle people.
Your only requirement is to get the black chassis grease all over your hands, face, and clothes when you get near a 5th wheel or dolly.
I forgot the steering wheel and seat when getting back in tractor.
 
Howes Lube works well. It lasts much longer than WD 40. It also works well on pintle hooks. Spray graphite also works well. If there was no exposure to water & dust just about anything would work.
 
I like motorkote hyper lubricant multi multi use spray. You can buy it at many truck stops and meiers as well. Way better than wd40 and makes the 5th wheel open and close like butter.
 
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