everything on the underside already moved freely, but after i read your answers i flipped it back over and sprayed with Blaster - i think Glenn had recommended it. the same thing happens - when i have the handwheel off i can manually turn the pipe that the handwheel sits on and everything moves freely. when i put the handwheel back on nothing moves.
with the handwheel off i can see the lower gear that the handwheel is supposed to turn. the one that is horizontal across the grease pots and that i think connects to the motor. that's the area that was solid with lubricant that had hardened like wax. actually the entire area behind the handwheel was packed with it.
can i safely spray that gear with the Blaster?
i don't think it's rusty and can't see anything like thread jamming it.