Manual Grease Pump for Standard 5 Gallon Buckets
This manual grease pump clamps onto a standard 5 gallon bucket holding 25-50 lb of grease and turns the pail into a fixed lubrication station for the shop. There is no motor and no air line: the pump runs on handle strokes, so it works anywhere a bucket can sit. The 6 ft high-pressure hose and 4-jaw coupler serve fittings behind guards or deep in a chassis. Rated output is 1.2 oz per 28 full strokes, so each grease dose stays consistent. The pump is rated for grease up to NLGI Grade 2; thicker fills or specialty soap stocks should be confirmed with us before you order. The bucket itself is not included.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Compatible container | Standard 5 gallon bucket with 25-50 lb of grease |
| Maximum pressure | 3,500 PSI |
| Grease output | 1.2 oz per 28 full strokes |
| Coupler | 4-jaw quick coupler with 1/8 in pipe thread |
| Hose | 6 ft high-pressure hose |
| Grease compatibility | Up to NLGI Grade 2 |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs |
| Supplied | Pump, follower plate, high-pressure hose, coupler |
| Not supplied | Bucket |
Priming and Daily Use
Most priming problems come from trapped air. Press the follower plate firmly onto the grease surface before sliding the pump tube into the pail, so no air pocket forms underneath. Then work the handle with smooth, full strokes until grease flows from the coupler. Keep the coupler square to the fitting before building pressure, and route the hose without sharp bends. After each job, wipe the coupler and cover the bucket. When changing grease types, clean the follower plate and tube to avoid cross-contamination.
Where a Hand Pump Fits, and Where It Does Not
A hand pump makes sense when lubrication happens a few times a day and there is no power or compressed air at the point of use. The trade-offs are physical: strokes take effort, cold grease in an unheated shop takes more, and output per minute stays below powered units. If several machines follow a fixed daily greasing schedule, the operator will tire, and a foot-operated 12L pump or an electric model is the better tool. Browse our bucket pump category, or read the grease pump guide if you are unsure which pump type fits. For multi-unit pricing, request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this grease pump fit a standard 5 gallon bucket?
Yes. It fits standard 5 gallon buckets holding 25-50 lb of grease, and the follower plate sits on the grease surface despite small differences in pail diameter. You supply the bucket, since it is not included. Tapered or nonstandard pails need a fit check first.
How does a manual bucket pump differ from an electric one?
Both mount on the same pail size, but an electric pump drives grease with a motor while this unit depends on handle strokes. Choose the electric 5 gallon bucket pump when several machines are greased on a schedule; choose this hand pump for occasional lubrication or sites without power.
What grease consistency can this pump handle?
It is rated for grease up to NLGI Grade 2, which covers common multipurpose greases. Fills near the top of that grade flow more slowly and take more strokes, so confirm compatibility first. Do not thin the grease to make it pump.
How do I prime the pump on a fresh bucket?
Press the follower plate onto the grease surface first, then insert the pump tube so no air is trapped underneath. Work the handle through full strokes until grease flows from the coupler. If it strokes without delivering, lift the plate slightly to release trapped air.
How much grease does one stroke deliver?
The rating is 1.2 oz per 28 full strokes, or about 0.04 oz per stroke. Full, even strokes matter: five short strokes deliver less grease than five complete ones; partial strokes mean less than the rated dose.
How long will a 5 gallon bucket of grease last?
A 35 lb pail holds 560 oz; at 1.2 oz per 28 full strokes that is roughly 465 full-stroke doses. Your real count depends on how many fittings you grease and how much each takes, so treat it as a planning number, not a promise.
Is this pump hard to use in cold weather?
Cold thickens grease. In an unheated shop, expect firmer strokes and slower flow until the grease warms; keep strokes full and steady. If the grease barely moves even after warming, it may be above what this pump can handle.
Can I replace the coupler or hose?
Yes. The supplied 4-jaw coupler with 1/8 in pipe thread is a wearing part; replacements are on the 4-jaw high-pressure coupler page. Inspect jaws and hose regularly and replace them before they fail under pressure.
What if I need to grease machines all day?
Continuous hand pumping tires the operator and slows the job. For daily, multi-point lubrication, a foot-operated pump keeps both hands free, and an electric unit suits a fixed schedule with power available. This hand pump stays the better choice for occasional use and remote sites.
Who makes this pump, and how do I order?
For background: IsoHiTech Lubrication Systems was founded in 2023, engineering since 2006, and builds manual bucket pumps alongside other grease pumps and lubrication hardware. For pricing, availability, or bucket-fit questions, email inquiry@isohitech.com or contact the sales team.
