Aust Carrier Lubricator Change

[Mike Cecil]

Some trivia for all the owners of Australian Army operated Carriers:

The various (Aust) carrier instruction books list an 'Injector, Lubricant (grease gun)' or an 'Injector, Lubricant, junior hand compressor, No.1'. This was the cylindrical type grease gun with a push-type nozzle that, when placed onto the grease nipple, was pushed from behind by the operator and injected a small amount of grease by the 'trombone' movement of the nozzle tube. As anyone who has ever tried to use one knows, they are a pain to use, taking lots of effort and multiple pushes to get enough grease into the nipple.

In early January 1943, a GRO was issued to replace this type of grease gun with an 'Injector, Lubricant, 16-oz, Lever Type' manufactured by Tecalemit, on all Carriers (I presume both Aust and British origin). This was the type of grease gun with an external, side action lever that delivered a shot of grease at each pump, and were the 16 oz version of the standard one issued with many US vehicle maintenance kits. They were supposed to replace the earlier grease guns on all carriers in Aust service, with Units ordered to return the old guns to Ordnance and draw the new-type gun. Just how many vehicle kits had the grease gun changed over, well, who knows? But that was the official policy.

So anyone trying to assemble the Aust Carrier packing list for their vehicle, take note of the change.

Mike C