Lincoln grease pumps are air-operated and manual pumps that draw grease from a pail or drum and deliver it under high pressure to bearings, pins, and bushings through a hose and control valve. They are used in automotive service bays, agricultural maintenance, construction fleets, and industrial plants. This page lists the Lincoln pump models below and explains how to choose between them.
What It Does
An air-operated Lincoln pump mounts on a grease container — a 25–50 lb pail, a 120 lb drum, or a 400 lb / 55-gal drum — and uses an air motor to drive a lower pump end that pushes grease to the outlet. The portable models move between service points; the stationary model is built for fixed, high-frequency installations. The lever-action model needs no compressed air at all, which suits remote field service and jobs that need fine manual control of grease volume.
Model Comparison
| Model | Drive | Max output pressure | Air motor | Inlet air | Output flow | Container |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6917 | Air-operated, portable | 7,500 PSI (517 bar) | 50:1 ratio (7,500 PSI max) | 150 PSI for rated output | 80 in³/min (45 oz/min) | 120 lb drum |
| 917 | Air-operated, portable | 7,500 PSI (517 bar) | Series 20 | 150 PSI for rated output | 80 in³/min (45 oz/min) | 120 lb drum |
| 989 | Air-operated, portable | 7,500 PSI (517 bar) | Series 20 | 150 PSI for rated output | 80 in³/min (45 oz/min) | 25–50 lb pail |
| 1275 | Lever-action, manual | 5,000 PSI (345 bar) | — | — | Manual, variable | 40 lb container |
| 1426 | Air-operated, stationary | Not published — confirm per model | Series 40 | Not published | Higher volume per stroke | 400 lb / 55-gal drum |
Air Motors: Series 20 and Series 40
The portable models run on the Series 20 air motor: a 2½ in (63.5 mm) stroke with a 50:1 pressure ratio — 1 PSI of inlet air produces 50 PSI at the grease outlet, so a 150 PSI air supply yields 7,500 PSI. The stationary 1426 uses the Series 40 motor with a 4½ in (114.3 mm) stroke and greater per-stroke displacement than the Series 20, built for high-frequency stationary lubrication installations.
Grease Compatibility
These pumps are compatible with typical NLGI 0–2 mineral and synthetic greases. For seal compatibility, temperature limits and specialty thickeners, confirm against the model-specific SKF/Lincoln datasheet before use.
Package Contents and Drum Matching
Typical kits include a follower plate, drum cover, high-pressure grease hose, control valve, and swivel fittings. Contents vary by model, so confirm what is included when ordering. Match the follower plate diameter to the drum inner diameter — a mismatched plate causes incomplete grease draw and air ingestion.
Automated System Options
For machines that need scheduled, unattended greasing, Lincoln also makes system extensions such as CLP compact progressive pumps. See the Lincoln pump category for the full range.
Why Source Lincoln-Compatible Pumps from ISOHITECH
- ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing & QC
- Exporting lubrication components to 50+ countries
- Engineering experience since 2006
- Aftermarket-compatible with Lincoln/SKF models — request a quotation with your model numbers
Lincoln Pump Family: Where to Go Next
Model-specific questions, comparisons, and cross-references live on dedicated pages:
- Lincoln P203 grease pump guide
- Lincoln VSKV2 dual-line valve
- Graco vs Lincoln air grease pump comparison
- Lincoln, SKF & Vogel cross-reference
- Lincoln P205 progressive pump
Frequently Asked Questions
What compressed air supply does a Lincoln grease pump require?
Air-operated models require 150 PSI inlet air to reach the rated 7,500 PSI output of the 50:1 Series 20 motor. Air volume matters as much as pressure — the compressor must sustain adequate airflow at operating pressure, or the pump will stall mid-cycle.
What does a 50:1 pressure ratio mean in practice?
Every 1 PSI of compressed air produces 50 PSI at the grease outlet: 100 PSI of air gives 5,000 PSI, and 150 PSI gives 7,500 PSI. That is enough to overcome bearing seal back-pressure and push grease through partially blocked fittings on heavy equipment.
Are Lincoln pumps compatible with synthetic grease?
Yes for most NLGI 0–2 synthetic greases. For clay-thickened, highly tackified or temperature-extreme applications, confirm against the model-specific SKF/Lincoln datasheet before use.
What is the difference between Model 6917 and Model 917?
Both models share the 50:1 ratio and 7,500 PSI maximum output rating. The 6917 ships as a portable pump package — four-wheel dolly, drum follower, high-pressure hose and heavy-duty control valve — while the 917 is configured as a 120 lb drum pump. Check the current SKF/Lincoln catalog for availability of each model, or send us your model number for an aftermarket-compatible quote.
Can these pumps be serviced in the field?
Yes. The lower pump ends use field-replaceable components, and seal kits, check ball assemblies, and follower plates are available as spare parts — contact us with the model number. The air motor is modular and can be replaced without discarding the pump assembly.
How do I prime a Lincoln pump after a drum change?
Fit the follower plate, secure the drum cover, connect the air supply, and cycle the pump slowly with the dispensing valve open until grease flows consistently. Do not run the pump dry — dry running accelerates lower-end seal wear. If the pump rapid-cycles without building pressure, check the drum level and air ingestion first, then the lower-end check ball, then the air-side piston seal.
How do you tell if a centralized lubrication line is blocked?
By loss of expected motion or flow, not pressure alone. In progressive systems, one blocked point stops the entire circuit served by that pump outlet — the divider pistons halt and the cycle-indicator pin stops moving; overpressure indicators (SKF setpoint examples from 16 to 100 bar) expose a pin to localize the faulted outlet (SKF). In Graco single-line systems, an incomplete cycle or “A15 Pressure timeout” alarm points to kinked or plugged hoses, the pressure switch, the vent valve, or a non-cycling injector; Graco’s field test is to hand-pump at the lube point — free flow means the injector, no flow means the point itself (Graco manual). In that same manual, grease discharging at the relief-valve inspection port (4,000 psi on that system) is the clue that grease is not flowing anywhere. See our grease distributor block working principle guide for divider-level diagnosis.
How do you catch a failed seal or over-pressurization in an automatic lubrication system?
Through the monitoring hardware the system already carries: SKF progressive feeders use cycle-indicator pins (a stationary pin means a stalled feeder) and outlet overpressure indicators (SKF); Graco controllers flag pressure timeouts and failed cycles, with manual checks on the pressure switch and vent valve (Graco). No manufacturer publishes a numeric pressure that “blows” a seal, so treat the combination of grease escaping persistently from bearing seals plus high line pressure or a stalled divider as the signal to stop the pump and isolate that branch before it ruptures a hose.
Are Lincoln and Graco lubrication parts interchangeable?
Only in specific, documented cases. The clearest official statement we found: Graco’s GL-11 injector is “bolt-on compatible with Lincoln Centro-Matic SL-11 injectors” (Graco literature) — and that covers one mounting interface, not whole systems. Beyond it, no general Lincoln (SKF)–Graco compatibility or incompatibility document exists, and Graco’s warranty excludes damage from substituting non-Graco parts. Mixing brands safely is a model-by-model check: thread standard (NPSF, SAE, or BSPP options), mounting pattern, metering output, and pressure rating. Our Lincoln grease system guide and lubrication injector catalog cover the replacements we supply.
Lincoln® is a registered trademark of SKF Group. This page is provided by IsoHiTech Lubrication Systems. Specifications subject to change; refer to the current Lincoln/SKF product documentation for model-specific data.
Related Pages
- Lincoln replacement parts — seal kits, follower plates, and pump elements by model.
- Lincoln pump category — the full Lincoln lubrication pump range.
- Lincoln SSV divider valves — metering blocks that pair with Lincoln pumps.
- Grease pump hub — types, selection guides, and troubleshooting.
- Complete guide to grease pumps — how grease pumps work and how to choose.
- Lincoln grease pump troubleshooting guide — symptom-based diagnostics for air-operated Lincoln pumps.
To check model availability, spare parts, or pricing, contact us for a quote.
