Informal name for a mechanic, lube tech or anyone whose job involves greasing machines. Inside the trade it is used fondly or self-mockingly; from outsiders it can land as a put-down. In reliability circles it carries a sting, because it sums up the view of lubrication as unskilled work, the view that programs built around trained, certified lube techs reject.
Back in my grease monkey days we pumped till it came out the seals, no wonder we burned through bearings.
Also heard as
- grease jockey
Related terms
Lube tech
Lubrication technician, the person who owns the lube routes, oil sampling and lube room in a plant.
Lube route
Scheduled walk through the plant to grease, top off and inspect a set list of lubrication points.
Overgreasing
Pumping more grease into a bearing than it needs, causing churning, heat and blown seals.