A fifth wheel lubricating
system for greasing the interface between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates while the trailer is couple to the
tractor. The
system supplies
grease form a
cartridge that is coupled to a solenoid activated
grease valve and controlled by means of an electrical controller mounted in the cab or on the catwalk of the fifth wheel
tractor. The
grease gun is operated pneumatically from an onboard
air compressor or can be manually operated by means of a
hand pump lever built into the grease gun. A primary grease hose carries grease from the grease valve to a grease distribution hub, where it is distributed to two or more distribution hoses that connect to the bottom side of the
tractor mounted lower fifth wheel plate. The grease is forced up through holes in the lower fifth wheel plate, into grease slots on the top side of the lower plate. In operation, the driver can push a button on the controller and force a desired amount of grease into the grease slots located at the interface between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates, thereby providing a more convenient, cleaner, and more efficient means of lubricating a fifth wheel.