A grease ball cup lubricator is a manual single-point device with its own small grease reservoir and a built-in ball check valve. Instead of coupling a grease gun to a nipple at every service round, the operator stores grease in the cup and feeds it by screwing down the cap, or lets a spring-loaded cap feed gradually. If your machines are serviced with a grease gun, this page is not your part: flush-type points for grease guns are covered on the concave grease nipples page, and exposed nipples can be shielded with grease nipple protective caps.
Product Overview
The cup combines a reservoir, a cap, and a ball check valve in one threaded body. Grease waits at the point between rounds, so the cup suits bearings that need frequent small doses and machines where a grease gun is awkward to carry. Two cap styles cover most habits: the screw-down cap, turned by hand for each dose, and the spring-cap, for gradual feed between rounds.
Models and Capacities
Three BSPP sizes cover common port threads, and the same body comes in metric threads from M6 – M10. All sizes follow DIN 3411, with Type A in steel and Type B in brass.
| Model | Thread | Body Diameter | Height | Hex | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBC-18 | G 1/8″ BSPP | 19 mm | 31 mm | 12 mm | 4.5 cc |
| GBC-14 | G 1/4″ BSPP | 25 mm | 40 mm | 17 mm | 7.0 cc |
| GBC-38 | G 3/8″ BSPP | 32 mm | 50 mm | 19 mm | 15.0 cc |
Materials and Construction
Type A cups are zinc-plated carbon steel for general machinery. Type B cups use drawn brass CW614N, which resists corrosion in damp positions without extra coating. For corrosive, washdown, or hygienic-area machinery, confirm the SS316 option when ordering.
How the Ball Check Feeds Grease
Remove the cap and fill the body with grease. Screwing the cap down reduces the space inside the body; the trapped grease lifts the ball off its seat and flows toward the bearing. When the pressure eases, the spring pushes the ball back onto the seat, blocking dust, moisture, and splashed fluids from traveling back into the cup.
Typical Refill Cadence
Refill timing depends on how hard the point works. The values below are typical guidance, not a fixed schedule.
| Duty | Operating Hours | Refill Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 500 – 1,000 hours | every 3 – 6 months |
| Medium | 250 – 500 hours | every 1 – 3 months |
| Heavy | 100 – 250 hours | every 2 – 4 weeks |
What Is Supplied
Each unit is delivered as a complete assembly: cup body, cap in screw-down or spring-cap style, spring, and ball check, ready to thread into the port. Confirm the thread form and sealing arrangement when ordering so the cup matches your port.
Honest Limitations
- The cup is a manual single-point device; it does not join a centralized lubrication line or send a monitoring signal.
- It is built for grease; oil runs past the ball check and will not stay in the reservoir.
- It replaces an original nipple only when the port thread matches; confirm the thread form and sealing arrangement when ordering.
If your case sits outside these limits, send us your machine details and we will point you to the right part.
Frequently Asked Questions
My machine is serviced with a grease gun. Is this cup the right part?
No. The cup feeds grease by hand from its own reservoir; a grease-gun routine calls for grease nipples instead. For flush points that accept a grease gun coupler, see the concave grease nipples page.
How is a grease ball cup different from a grease nipple?
A nipple is a small inlet that only admits grease from a gun. The cup stores grease at the point and feeds it by hand, so no gun is needed each round.
How does the screw-down cap feed grease?
Turning the cap clockwise shrinks the space inside the body; trapped grease lifts the ball check and flows into the bearing.
What does the ball check valve protect against?
After each dose the spring reseats the ball, so dust and washdown spray cannot travel back into the reservoir.
How often should I refill the cup?
See the duty table for typical guidance, and check the level during routine rounds.
Can I fill the cup with oil instead of grease?
No. The ball check suits grease consistency; oil runs past the ball and the cup cannot hold it. Oil-lubricated points need an oil fitting.
Can this cup replace a worn nipple on my machine?
Only if the port thread matches the cup thread. Check the port or the old part first, and confirm the thread form and sealing arrangement when ordering.
What should I do if the cup seems clogged?
Remove the cap, clean the ball and seat with solvent, refill with the right grease, and reassemble.
Screw-down cap or spring-cap, which should I choose?
Choose the screw-down cap when the operator controls each dose by hand; choose the spring-cap for gradual feed between rounds. If unsure which fits your duty, tell us about your application.
Who manufactures these grease ball cups?
These cups are produced by IsoHiTech Lubrication Systems, founded in 2023, engineering since 2006. For specifications, options, or ordering questions, write to inquiry@isohitech.com.
