special tool required?

[varmint]

A year ago, I got a block heater for my Kubota B8200. Last weekend, I tried to install it, but I only got as far as trying to remove the fitting on the side of the block where it will install. They recommend a special socket, which no one seems to have heard of! Basically, the old fitting is a 34mm diameter turning with two flats, 24mm apart. I hoped a 24mm wrench would work, but you can't really get the wrench properly onto the fitting- rounding off the flats isn't what I need to do, so I gave up while the tractor still was usable.
Anyone out there own the socket for this job, and want to rent it? I could probably order one for $56 from Kubota, but for a one time use, that hurts.
(the heater uses a hex socket to install- too bad the fitting doesn't)

 

[scott_vt]

A year ago, I got a block heater for my Kubota B8200. Last weekend, I tried to install it, but I only got as far as trying to remove the fitting on the side of the block where it will install. They recommend a special socket, which no one seems to have heard of! Basically, the old fitting is a 34mm diameter turning with two flats, 24mm apart. I hoped a 24mm wrench would work, but you can't really get the wrench properly onto the fitting- rounding off the flats isn't what I need to do, so I gave up while the tractor still was usable.
Anyone out there own the socket for this job, and want to rent it? I could probably order one for $56 from Kubota, but for a one time use, that hurts.
(the heater uses a hex socket to install- too bad the fitting doesn't)

Mornin Varmint,
I would try my local NAPA dealer before I spent that much money !

 

[tlbuser]

Doesn't it just install in the freeze plug location? I can't imagine why Kubota would've used threaded plugs for that.

 

[Soundguy]

Any chance that an adjustable parallel jaw wrench might fit it?

Also.. you might 'make' a tool to fit. Get some 1/2" steel plate, and torch or plasma cut out the correct profile.. then use a flat file to bring it into 'fit'.. then weld a junk socket to it fro a drive.. or weld a big hex nut, or square stub to it for a real wrench to bite on. it's a bit o' work.. but over the years i've had to make a few odd tools to get a job done.

Perhaps a piece of beefy flat with oposed ears welded on , and then the large nut on the back for a socket or wrench..

Also.. when you say that you can't get the wrench on the fitting.. why? Wrench 'body' in the way? Buy a cheapy at harbor freigh, and torch it and bend... Or.. what about a 24mm socket? perhaps cut up a similar sized nut, and add 'pieces' to the fitting, so that it takes upt he extra space int he socket, so that it will have less likelyhood of slipping.

We are obviously all guess at this strange fitting... post a pic.. it may help.

Soundguy

 

[charlz]

Crows foot maybe? They are great for things you can't use sockets for e.g. fittings on lines in tight spaces.

Here is an example set, does not go to 24mm though, check your local Sears or other tool store:

10-Pc. Crows Feet Wrench Set — Metric | Wrenches | Northern Tool + Equipment

Charles

 

[RobJ]

Got a picture of the plug?

 

[slowrev]

Any chance that an adjustable parallel jaw wrench might fit it?

Also.. you might 'make' a tool to fit. Get some 1/2" steel plate, and torch or plasma cut out the correct profile.. then use a flat file to bring it into 'fit'.. then weld a junk socket to it fro a drive.. or weld a big hex nut, or square stub to it for a real wrench to bite on. it's a bit o' work.. but over the years i've had to make a few odd tools to get a job done.

Perhaps a piece of beefy flat with oposed ears welded on , and then the large nut on the back for a socket or wrench..

Also.. when you say that you can't get the wrench on the fitting.. why? Wrench 'body' in the way? Buy a cheapy at harbor freigh, and torch it and bend... Or.. what about a 24mm socket? perhaps cut up a similar sized nut, and add 'pieces' to the fitting, so that it takes upt he extra space int he socket, so that it will have less likelyhood of slipping.

We are obviously all guess at this strange fitting... post a pic.. it may help.

Soundguy

yep I made one for a Subaru wheel bearing spanner type of nut. special tool only avail thru subaru and was $125. Made one in less time than it would have taken me to drive to Subaru (but they were backorder for 2 months) out of scrap. A big hex nut some scraps of steel , a bit of welding, a bit of grinding , etc, less than 2 hours total. And I am not a good weldor.
worked great, used a 4 ft cheater on it and did not even break it

 

[AndyMA]

Ever think of asking your dealer's service department. They may loan you a wrench.

Andy

 

[midlf]

Pipe Wrench?

 

[Soundguy]

yep I made one for a Subaru wheel bearing spanner type of nut. special tool only avail thru subaru and was $125. Made one in less time than it would have taken me to drive to Subaru (but they were backorder for 2 months) out of scrap. A big hex nut some scraps of steel , a bit of welding, a bit of grinding , etc, less than 2 hours total. And I am not a good weldor.
worked great, used a 4 ft cheater on it and did not even break it

You know.. those wheel bearing nuts.. I think i have seen more ho-made tools for those than the 'real' ones.

Out in our shop where I work is hanging a collection of welded up wheel bearing nut wrenches of various sizes.. all "weldcraft" by our mechanic...

neat looking junk.

Soundguy

 

[varmint]

Guys: the problem with a regular wrench is access- this fitting is really only open to a socket- a crow's foot wrench might work, but you know how tight these pipe thread fittings can be that aren't intended to be removed. Anyway, I have "made" a tool to get at it, I think: took a 3/4" drive 1 5/16" socket (to get around the 34mm part) and made two steel "plates" that fit across socket flats (backed up with some steel shims, so they won't distort under load) that give me the 24mm apart parallels I need to turn out this fitting. Used hot melt glue to keep everything in place, since once I get it on, they aren't going anywhere. I can take some fotos when I get back to it. Oughta work.
We don't have a close-by Kubota dealer- to gentrified around here, I guess, for farm stuff, and anyway, my experience has been they are loath to loan tools, unless you have a good relationship, which I don't.
The newer tractors use a 1 3/8" hex socket to get the old fitting off, according to the instruction sheet that came with the heater plug.

 

[Soundguy]

I think you are off an running.. that socket bushing'd up with the metal ought to do fine.. I've done the very same before.

Soundguy

 

[RobJ]

I just remembered these things... Not sure how big they are made. Pictured is only up to a 15mm...

 

[firemanpat2910]

RobJ, my mother gave me some of those once, I politely thanked her and put them in my truck. Thinking the whole time that I would throw it away the next time I cleaned out the tool box. She and Dad are always buying me cheap stuff from auctions and junk sales that they go to. Danged if I didnt have a broken fitting on a $80,000.00 printing press a couple of days later and that tool worked perfectly to remove and replace it. Saved 4+ hours of dismantling, and readjusting the press. I should have never told my parents though,, now they buy even more junk for me.

 

[MrJimi]

What about a flea market socket ground to your specifications?
Jim