Success!
It came off with no trouble at all - I used a wide mouth vise grip and had no trouble with the loader being in the way either.
Thanks for all the assistance!
Lunk
Koowel,
Your experiences with oil filters and drain plugs.... kinda set me thinking that you might need the decks TOTALLY cleared for this (-:
There is WIDE variation between my 4 sons and their mechanical abilities.
One in particular just seems to be able to get into the most unlikely places with a totally unsuitable tool (in my opinion) and do the job without damaging anything, does it quickly too.
A different son, the tools just about run and hide when he approaches (-: