Overview: Electric Grease Pump for 5 Gallon Bucket
This electric grease pump clamps onto a standard 5 gallon (20 L / 35 lb) straight-wall grease pail for portable, high-pressure greasing. A 120-180W induction motor delivers up to 6,000 PSI (414 bar) at the nozzle at 100-200 ml/min, so one technician can grease fittings around a shop without hand pumping.
Power options are 120V AC 60Hz or 230V AC 50/60Hz single-phase, drawing about 1.0-1.5A. A rubber-edged steel follower plate rides the grease down as the pail empties, keeping the pump primed and leaving little grease to scrape out. Compare pump types in the bucket pump range and the complete guide to grease pumps.
Three Ways to Get Grease Out of a 5 Gallon Bucket
Many shops buy a 5 gallon pail of NLGI 2 grease and then discover the hard way that a cartridge grease gun cannot draw from it. There are exactly three practical setups, and the right one depends on how many lubrication points you service per day:
- Hand pump — a lever or rotary pump that clamps onto the pail lid. No power or air needed; output is limited to what your arm can deliver. Fine for a handful of points or occasional use.
- Pneumatic (air-operated) pump — shop air drives a piston that moves grease at volume. Fastest option for high point counts, but requires a compressed-air line at the pail.
- Electric pail pump — like the unit on this page — a motorized follower plate and pump that runs from mains power. Delivers steady high pressure with no air compressor, which is why mobile service trucks and shops without plumbed air choose it.
If you already own a cartridge grease gun and are only fighting the bucket, see the manual bucket pump for the lowest-cost entry; if you are greasing dozens of points per shift, this electric unit or an air-operated model pays for the difference quickly.
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 120V AC 60Hz or 230V AC 50/60Hz, single-phase |
| Motor | 120-180W induction motor |
| Current draw | Approx. 1.0-1.5A |
| Pail compatibility | Standard 5 gallon (20 L / 35 lb) straight-wall pails, 290-330mm diameter |
| Max. nozzle pressure | 6,000 PSI (414 bar) |
| Flow rate | 100-200 ml/min, varies with grease viscosity and temperature |
| Hose | 10 ft (3 m) high-pressure hose, 3/8 in ID |
| Control | Pistol grip with trigger and lock |
| Grease grades | NLGI 0/1/2 standard; NLGI 3 reduced flow, not for continuous use; confirm seals for NLGI 000/00 |
| Follower plate | Rubber-edged steel follower plate |
| Weight | Approx. 15 lbs (6.8 kg), pump body only |
| Supplied | Pump body, hose with grip, pail clamp ring, follower plate, power cord |
Installing the Pump on a 5 Gallon Pail
Setup takes one clamp and no plumbing:
- Seat the follower plate flat on the grease.
- Lower the pump tube through the plate to pail bottom.
- Clamp the pump body to the rim with the clamp ring.
- Thread the hose onto the outlet and hand-tighten.
- Connect the power cord to a matching supply.
- Squeeze the trigger; priming takes about 10-15 seconds before grease reaches the nozzle.
Straight-wall pails only; tapered pails will not seat the clamp ring correctly.
Daily Use and Pail Change Maintenance
Wipe the nozzle and hose end clean; inspect the hose for cuts or swelling. Replace the hose when it shows wear rather than on a calendar schedule. At each pail change, clean the rim and check the follower plate and clamp ring. For application questions, contact the sales team through our quote request page.
Where This Pump Fits
Typical settings:
- Repair shops greasing chassis, loaders, and service trucks.
- Farm machinery lubrication in the yard or field, far from a fixed line.
- Small manufacturing cells with presses, bearings, and conveyors.
- Home workshops maintaining trailers, mowers, and utility equipment.
One boundary matters: it is built for intermittent service, not for continuous greasing of many points from one reservoir.
When There Is Pressure but No Grease Comes Out
A pump that builds pressure but delivers no grease almost always has one of three causes, and none of them require replacing the pump:
- An air pocket under the follower plate. Lower the plate onto the grease at a slight angle so air escapes ahead of it, then run the pump until the flow runs steady. The same logic applies to cartridge guns: crack the head loose about a turn and a half, stroke until grease appears bubble-free, then tighten.
- A blocked zerk fitting. A zerk is a small check valve; old hardened grease or a jammed spring inside it will take full pump pressure while passing nothing. If the gun pressurizes hard against one fitting but feeds others normally, change the fitting, not the pump — see replacement grease nipples.
- A clogged or pinched hose. Cold NLGI 2 grease stiffens in an unheated shop over winter; a hose routed through a tight bend restricts exactly when you need flow most. Warm the line before you condemn the pump.
Technicians who maintain fleets describe the same sequence: confirm flow at the pump outlet first, then at the hose end, then at the fitting. Working from the pump outward isolates the blockage in minutes instead of parts-swapping.
FAQ
What is an electric grease pump for a 5 gallon bucket, and who is it for?
An electric pail pump mounts on a grease pail and feeds grease through a trigger nozzle at high pressure. It fits buyers who grease often enough that hand pumping feels slow, but whose points are too scattered for a piped system. For occasional greasing or no power at the point of use, a manual 5 gallon bucket pump is simpler. For automatic lubrication of several machines from one reservoir, choose a fixed electric grease pump system instead.
Will it fit my pail?
It fits standard 5 gallon (20 L / 35 lb) straight-wall grease pails, 290-330mm in diameter. Tapered or narrow-neck pails are not supported: the clamp ring and follower plate must seat on a straight wall. Measure before ordering.
What grease grades can it pump?
NLGI 0, 1, and 2 are the standard range. NLGI 3 pumps at reduced flow and is not recommended for continuous use. NLGI 000 and 00 semifluids must be confirmed compatible with the pump seals first.
How much pressure and flow can I expect?
Maximum nozzle pressure is 6,000 PSI (414 bar). Flow is 100-200 ml/min, varying with grease grade, temperature, and fitting back pressure. Cold, stiff grease flows at the lower end, so let it warm first.
Can I use it to pump oil or other fluids?
No. This pump is for grease only. For oil, coolant, or other fluids, use a dedicated unit such as the electric bucket pump for fluid transfer.
How do I prime it?
Priming is automatic once the follower plate sits on the grease. Run the motor about 10-15 seconds with the trigger squeezed until grease reaches the nozzle. If nothing appears, reseat the plate and check the clamp ring for air leaks.
Can I add a longer hose?
You can add an extension high-pressure hose of the same rating, but flow drops with hose length and fittings. For far points, a pump mounted closer, or a fixed system, outperforms a long hose run.
How do I maintain it?
Wipe the nozzle and hose end clean after use and inspect the hose for cuts or swelling; replace it when worn rather than on a calendar schedule. At each pail change, clean the rim and check the follower plate and clamp ring. If it still will not prime, ask the supplier; the motor housing has no user-serviceable parts.
Is it suitable for continuous heavy-duty use?
The pump is built for intermittent greasing duty, such as service shops and field use. Continuous hours-long running is outside that design; a fixed system sized for that duty fits better.
Who makes this pump and how do I get application advice?
IsoHiTech Lubrication Systems was founded in 2023, engineering since 2006. For voltage options, grease compatibility, or pail fit questions, email inquiry@isohitech.com or contact the sales team.
Can I pump NLGI 3 grease in cold weather?
Not recommended. At room temperature this pump already moves NLGI 3 at reduced flow, and cold stiffens grease further — the motor strains and flow falls toward the bottom of the 100-200 ml/min range or below. For cold conditions use NLGI 0, 1, or 2, or let the pail warm toward room temperature before starting. As a rule of thumb, if the grease is hard to stir by hand at the follower plate, the pump will be harder on it too.
Can I switch between grease types in the same pump?
Yes, with care at the pail change. Wipe the follower plate and clamp ring, and purge the hose and pump body by pumping the new grease through until it runs clear — the hose holds a residue of the old grade. If the old and new greases use incompatible thickener systems (for example lithium and polyurea), the mixture can soften or harden and block the line, so purge thoroughly and check the grease maker’s compatibility guidance before mixing brands.
What power source does it need — can I run it in the field?
It runs on single-phase mains: 120V AC 60Hz or 230V AC 50/60Hz, drawing about 1.0-1.5A — a standard wall outlet. In the field, a portable generator rated for that load runs it fine; the pump is built for intermittent duty, not continuous hours-long running, so match the duty rather than worrying about the supply. For points with no power at all, a manual bucket pump is the simpler choice.
