Ridgid 18V Cordless Grease Gun Was Worth Waiting For
There have been plenty of calls for a cordless grease gun from Ridgid. Not only does the Ridgid 18V Cordless Grease Gun fill the gap, but it also answers the call with a design that’s much more than basic.
Pros
- 10,000 PSI max pressure and 9-ounce per minute top speed
- 2 speeds to choose from
- Preset grease counter
- Brushless motor
- Excellent kit value at $199
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Ridgid 18V Cordless Grease Gun Performance
Ridgid hits a maximum of 10,000 PSI and is capable of pushing up to 9 ounces per minute of grease. That speed keeps up with the top cordless models available, but they take it a step further with two speeds to work with.
We connected with PTR Reviewer, Luke Smith , to work on some farm equipment maintenance and see how the design compares to the manual grease guns they often use.
Two Speeds
The majority of the equipment only needed topping off and low speed was definitely the way to go with varying needs on each joint. High speed delivers some serious greasing momentum and filled some of those points too quickly.
When you’re filling a grease fitting for the first time or you know it’s critically low, that’s when high speed takes center stage.
Similar to the way a 2-speed drill works, you get the most pressure from low speed and the fastest filling in high speed.
Filling Presets
The measurements on the preset dial aren’t based on ounces or milliliters, though. It’s a piston-stroke count, so you’ll need to experiment some as you get used to the specific greases you use. It also resets with each trigger pull. If you set it for 20 piston strokes and let go of the trigger after 8, it will be ready to deliver another 20 when you pull the trigger again.
On those jobs that require more filling, the lock-on switch is pretty helpful. Even if you’re using the presets, it’s not an excuse to set it and forget it, though, so be sure you’re actively monitoring the filling process.
Runtime
The runtime is solid thanks to Ridgid’s choice of a brushless motor. According to their data, you can expect up to the 23 cartridges on a 4.0Ah battery. That changes some with the thickness/viscosity of the grease you’re using.
Ridgid 18V Cordless Grease Gun Design Notes
Weight
The grease gun weighs about 7.5 pounds on its own and it increases from there with a battery and full grease cartridge. It didn’t feel unmanageable to us at all considering we set it on the ground or equipment as we filled. If you need to hold it while filling or just want to take the weight off of your arms, Ridgid includes a shoulder strap.
Handle Ergonomics
Ridgid brings over the basic handle design of their pistol-grip drills and drivers. It’s a comfortable fit and the angle of it is more comfortable than some of the other designs we’ve used.
Additional Features
- Air bleeder valve
- 39-inch hose
- Capable of loading the tube from bulk grease containers
- LED light
- Right angle coupler included
- Works with all Ridgid 18V batteries
Ridgid 18V Cordless Grease Gun Price
There are a couple of ways to get your hands on Ridgid’s cordless grease gun. As a bare tool, it’s $179. There’s also a kit available with a 2.0Ah battery and charger for $199. As long as that price holds, it’s a no-brainer to grab the kit.
The Bottom Line
It took Ridgid a while to bring their cordless grease gun to The Home Depot, but it was worth the wait. It has the performance to keep up with the best in the game with some genuinely helpful features to make your equipment maintenance more convenient.
Ridgid 18V Brushless Grease Gun Specifications
- Model: Ridgid R860445
- Motor: Brushed
- Max Flow Rate: 10,000 psi or 9 oz./min
- Height: 10.1 in.
- Depth: 4.2 in.
- Width: 4.2 in.
- Weight: 7.5 lb.
- Warranty: Lifetime Service Agreement
- Price: $179 (bare tool)
