Graco Torpedo

john k · June 23, 2012, 05:59:59 AM

I just found this, a grease gun I do believe. I can recall a gas station that had a white enamel lubrication station at the head of its service bay. On the rack were 4 or 6 variations of this grease gun. Gray, or Graco company built the first pressure lube equipment for servicing cars before WWII. Seems they still build a huge variety of pressure feed equipment for all types of industry. Anyone had one of these, or a set? Or the lube station? They were about six foot high, ten feet wide, with a lighted bench central, and doors to storage cabinets on both sides. I know where one is, and it would take a week, to get enough stuff cleared away to get a pic of it. There has to be more of these out there?

Papaw · June 23, 2012, 04:23:02 PM

Those stations are most probably either lost in the ruins of old gas stations or in someone's barn rusting away. Having one would be neat, but you would need a place like Oilyrascal's to put it in use or display!

rusty · June 23, 2012, 08:28:10 PM

Somewhere buried, I have a manual for a graco lube station built for the military, it's an increadable complicated machine, with compressed air pistons, air bleed valves to get the air bubbles out of the grease, pressure regulators, remote control, etc etc...

Designed to handle 4 guys lubing trucks at a depot continuously.....
Spits out grease by the drumfull.....

skipskip · June 23, 2012, 09:16:45 PM

I had one of those lube stations, sold it to a friend who is a garagianna collector.

It has all the correct grease guns!!

He cleaned it up and displays it!

I'll get pics next time I'm there.

OilyRascal · June 23, 2012, 09:29:52 PM

Quote from: skipskip on June 23, 2012, 09:16:45 PM
I'll get pics next time I'm there.

That'd be really nice to see.

john k · June 23, 2012, 10:51:25 PM

When I was in the military, for our vehicles we got a plain old grease gun, but had to fill it with a spatula from a five gallon bucket of grease. I do have a grease pump from a gas station. Will hold about five gallons, ten foot hose, and is pressurized with shop air. The average 50s car had 22 grease fittings on the chassis.

john k · June 24, 2012, 01:12:28 AM

Here is an Alemite lube and service bench like I spoke of. Am sure not many of the younger guys have ever seen one since the gas stations are getting a little on the thin side.

geneg · June 24, 2012, 02:37:44 PM

The ex-Oldsmobile Cadillac dealer in town has the setup in the back room. They have stuff piled up and around it. I seem to remember the cabinets being marked "Lincoln" , but its been a few years since I was in their shop. Really a sad story, The family had GM dealerships since the 20's. Funneled down to Olds & Cadillac in the 60's or 70's. Lost Olds in 2004 & then Caddy when GM reorganized & got rid of one brand dealers. They are currently a high end used car lot with some repair staff. Someday, it will probably be a good auction.

rusty · June 27, 2012, 08:42:15 PM

Here's what Gray Co had in the 50's just in case you wanted to lube a Convoy...

Also, the push gun was still part of the package....just in case I suppose...

john k · June 27, 2012, 09:55:30 PM

That looks a good deal like what the lube trucks have today. Motor Oil, lubricants, hydraulic fluids with recoil hoses, and grease, see one on nearly every site where dirt work is being done. Usually on a 2 ton or larger chassis, with several hundred gallons of each oil. The pipeline machines coming thru our place had one accompanying them.

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Graco Torpedo