MX5400 socket size advice needed

[Bullwinkle123]

I'm "tool challenged". My seldom used 3/8 inch socket set whose largest socket probably only goes to 11/16 inch can't handle pretty much anything on my Kubota.

Looking at other TBN threads which are often 10-15 years old, people say the Kubotas use metric bolts/nuts, I'm not sure if that's still true, and my owner manuals don't describe the nature of the parts w.r.t. metric vs SAE.

If I use my calipers in analog mode (as in, trusting my poor eyes to read it correctly, vs the digital display whose battery is momentarily shot), it looks like most of the lug nuts and loader bolts are 1". There are some larger, seemingly 1 & 1/8" nuts on the Land Pride cutter. The top link nut reads out at a strange 1 & 3/10 inches. Maybe all those apparent 1" and 1 & 1/8" bolts are really metric sizes that just read close to the imperial units, no idea.

What sort of sockets/wrenches should I have for this MX5400 tractor (with mostly Land Pride attachments)?

Also, how deep? Seems like all the tire nuts are going to need a solid inch to reach the base of the nut.

For better or worse I just ordered a 1/2 torque wrench, so I'm not really looking for 3/4 inch sets. (Until and unless I decide on a much bigger torque wrench or other gear to handle the blades on the rotary cutter). I ordered a 25-250 ft-lb wrench, most of the torques in the manual seem to be in the range of about 141-166 ft-lbs (again, rotary cutter blades aside).

re: top link nut, it's stuck, need a wrench for that, what is the real size that I'm reading as 1 & 3/10 inches?

Thanks for any advice. Remember if you reply that you're speaking to the tool impaired.

 

[skipperbrown]

Your tractor is metric. Just buy a set of metric sockets both in 3/8 and 1/2 as there are some big nuts and some small nuts. I use standard depth, but a set of each is nice. I think my set runs up to 22mm which covers most projects although there are some nuts that are bigger. For your top link, I'll suggest a 12" or 14" adjustable with a spud end. I have a 3/4" set but it is only pulled out every few years. The spud is used for helping align your tractor with uncooperative implements. I bought a set of large deep impact sockets at HFreight that were cheap and work for the very occasional job. I have been unable to break them using a cheater bar on a breaking bar to remove nuts on a large disk harrow. Offerings from the big box stores are ok. However, I do have a few MAC and Snap On tools and I grin and marvel at them every time I pick one up.

 

[BRMyers]

My L3560 seems to have mostly metric bolts, but like anything there are a few standard on the tractor.

 

[farmeratheart]

If you want to convert your inch measurements to metric (mm) just multiply by 25.4. That would make your 1.3" a 33mm.

Frank

 

[sea2summit]

My 5800 is all metric...some of my implements are standard. I write in permanent marker next to every nut I remove the size, saves a ton of frustration, walking back and forth carrying a pocket full of sockets, etc

 

[newbury]

My 5800 is all metric...some of my implements are standard. I write in permanent marker next to every nut I remove the size, saves a ton of frustration, walking back and forth carrying a pocket full of sockets, etc

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Also write in whatever manual you have.
For example when I started out I'd just download a Parts Manual page from Messicks and note socket sizes.
But BUY the manuals!!
They make great reading material.

 

[The Fred]

10mm, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24 millimeter pretty much gets you in the ballpark for most everything you will do. Top link nut gets a 12 inch or 18 inch adjustable wrench.

I have to tell you I've had Snap-On tools for over 40 years, yes overkill for the majority of homeowners and hobby shop folks but in the 90's I bought a bunch of Craftsman sockets from Sears for a race trailer and sleds setup I had for weekends. I still have the tools. The sockets are the toughest darn things I've ever used. The thin wall 24mm socket gets used when nothing else will fit and for 20 years I've beat the things silly with a 1/2" impact gun and never broken one. Maybe you can find some older Craftsmen tools.

I can't vouch for their newer tools.

 

[Peter 315]

This company makes some nice tools ,If you search you can find good deals on a nice set.....Impact Socket Sets | Sunex Tools

 

[Peter 315]

I order tools from this place........Automotive Tools and Equipment | Mechanic Shop |Tooltopia.com

 

[Egon]

Tractors metric. Accessories may/may not be metric, depends on where it was made.

 

[AndyMA]

For all my newer tractors, MX5200 included all are metric. I have 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 metric and SAE deep and normal.

If I had to only get one type it would be metric 3/8 & 1/2 deep sockets

Andy

 

[Bullwinkle123]

How deep is a "standard length" socket supposed to be? Seems like a lot of nuts that are 1+ inches in width also require a similar amount of depth when you account for the bolt sticking up through the nut.

 

[sea2summit]

How deep is a "standard length" socket supposed to be? Seems like a lot of nuts that are 1+ inches in width also require a similar amount of depth when you account for the bolt sticking up through the nut.

There isn't a set standard I'm aware of but there are many differences and things to consider when shopping.

If you've never watched AvE his language is probably not SFW.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Interesting video, guy sounds half drunk, but informative and fun to watch. I'm guessing web sales sites aren't going to tell me the depth of the various brands of sockets w.r.t. the video discussion. Ah well, will try to use the information.

 

[KennyG]

10mm, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24 millimeter pretty much gets you in the ballpark for most everything you will do. Top link nut gets a 12 inch or 18 inch adjustable wrench.

No matter what set you get, if it has a gap you will find that one bolt you can't work with. I just ordered an 18mm combination wrench because the two metric wrench sets I own both skip 18mm and both my John Deere and the Pontiac Fiero I'm restoring have 18mm bolts.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

No matter what set you get, if it has a gap you will find that one bolt you can't work with. I just ordered an 18mm combination wrench because the two metric wrench sets I own both skip 18mm and both my John Deere and the Pontiac Fiero I'm restoring have 18mm bolts.

So I have a 3/8 inch driver set (SAE + metric) with all the small sizes I never use. So far my pricing of larger diameter sets for the tractor has been challenging, but there a number that include all metric sizes in a range. This one on amazon looks great, except I'm worried that they may be too shallow and there isn't a "deep" version of this metric set. It has every mmsize from 10-36, and at a good sale price (? - seems like it).

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2645-2...002MW9UW8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I also considered just buying, say, 25, 29 and 3x mmsize sockets individually and using them with a 50 year old ratchet I have hanging around, but they charge so much for singles it doesn't seem worth it.

 

[Agvg]

18 and 16mm is quite common to day so those is nice to have any how and usually not present in cheaper tools kits.

 

[Agvg]

So I have a 3/8 inch driver set (SAE + metric) with all the small sizes I never use. So far my pricing of larger diameter sets for the tractor has been challenging, but there a number that include all metric sizes in a range. This one on amazon looks great, except I'm worried that they may be too shallow and there isn't a "deep" version of this metric set. It has every mmsize from 10-36, and at a good sale price (? - seems like it).

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2645-2...002MW9UW8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I also considered just buying, say, 25, 29 and 3x mmsize sockets individually and using them with a 50 year old ratchet I have hanging around, but they charge so much for singles it doesn't seem worth it.

25, 26,28,29 is very seldom used, I have them and probably used 29mm a few times

 

[Bullwinkle123]

25, 26,28,29 is very seldom used, I have them and probably used 29mm a few times

Pretty much the average bolt head width is ~1" on the tractor, so I expect the 25 or 26 mm will very much be needed. Similarly the bolts on some attachments are ~1&1/8", which would be the 29mm socket I guess.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I found the deep version of the socket set I posted above: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-1...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-303158465-_-303158474-_-N , model 2646 (vs 2645).

So the question is whether to pay 2x to get the deep sockets or not. Again, this is where someone with an MX tractor may have some perspective. It is probably overkill, but I don't want to be caught short with some of those nuts whose bolts are coming through. Advise? MX5400 good with shallow sockets? Cost aside, is it a bad idea to have deeper sockets? Frankly, any time it's ever mattered with my usual projects (which don't involve tractor stuff), I'm as likely to just cut the bolt off it it's stuck as I am spend any elbow grease on it. Not so with my shiny new tractor.

Access/space around the fasteners doesn't seem to be an issue, they're all pretty much out in the open and reasonable distances apart, or so my superficial inspection says.