What is a ZERK?
What is a ZERK?
Simply put, a zerk is a fitting that lets you inject grease lubricant into wear points on cars or trucks. This allows smooth, steady movement and better overall handling.
Why is it called a ZERK?
The Zerk design, named after Oscar Zerk, used a fitting much smaller than the Alemite pin-type and did not lock the hose coupler or hand gun and fitting together. Instead, the seal between them was maintained by the pressure of a pushing action when the operator applied the coupler to the fitting.
How do you pronounce ZERK?
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA: /zɝk/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /zɜːk/
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)k.
How are grease Zerks made?
A grease fitting is made by forming its outer shell in a series of cold forging steps to make a blank with the necessary thread blank at one end, a hexagonal center portion, and with a grease-fitting-mating nipple outline at the other end.
How does a ZERK work?
Grease zerk fittings work by acting as a one‑way check valve that allows grease to pass through one way, but not the other. As grease is pushed into the fitting, pressure is created against the ball check that compresses the spring allowing grease to pass completely through the fitting.
What are the different types of grease fittings?
There are three major thread types for grease fittings: metric, taper or parallel, and unified. M5, M6, M7, M8, and M10 are common metric threads. British standard pipe (BSP), pipe thread fine (PTF), and national pipe thread fine (NPTF) fittings use tapered or parallel threads.
Who invented the ZERK?
A patent for the zerk fitting was awarded to Oscar U. Zerk in 1929 and assigned to the Alemite Manufacturing Corporation. The zerk is the invention that made him the most money. By the time of his passing in 1968, it’s estimated that 20 billion zerk fittings had been manufactured.
Who is Oscar ZERK?
Zerks were invented by an eccentric engineer/inventor named Oscar Zerk. Oscar lived in Kenosha and was associated with Nash Motors. He died several years ago after living a long life. He made lots of money from his invention.
Who invented the Zerk fitting?
Oscar Zerk
Zerks were invented by an eccentric engineer/inventor named Oscar Zerk. Oscar lived in Kenosha and was associated with Nash Motors. He died several years ago after living a long life. He made lots of money from his invention.
What sizes do grease Zerks come in?
The most common standard grease fitting size is 1/4″‑28 SAE‑LT and is often used in automotive applications. They can also be found in agricultural environments as well as other various standard duty applications. For heavy duty applications, larger 1/8″‑27 PTF zerk fittings can be found.
Is it a ZERT or a Zerk?
Both are correct, but two different parts. A zerk is a grease fitting. A zert is a nut zert. it is a threaded insert that is usually installed like a rivet into a frame rail or any place that you can not get a nut on the back side. once compressed it will expand and hold tight to allow you to bolt something down.
What is a Zerk fitting?
A grease fitting, grease nipple, Zerk fitting, or Alemite fitting is a metal fitting used in mechanical systems to feed lubricants, usually lubricating grease, into a bearing under moderate to high pressure using a grease gun.
How do Zerk fittings work?
In a nutshell, the actual Zerk fitting is a small nipple that threads into a hole. That nipple has a ball bearing in the tip that keeps grease in and keeps contaminants out, but its design allows grease guns to push fresh grease into the fitting. When you grease Zerk fittings it allows you to deliver lubrication to…