Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[XJSuperman]

Man thats a bummer on the combine. Its not really harvest time until you can't catch a break from breakdowns I guess.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Man thats a bummer on the combine. Its not really harvest time until you can't catch a break from breakdowns I guess.

I guess I can’t feel too bad. When I called the service department they said someone had just called with the same exact code on the same injector also on a 9770. Sounds like someone else is in the same boat. At least it’s happens when we’re at a bit of a stand still. I’d rather it be now that when we’re in the middle of the field and it’s 65 and a sunny.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Been a pretty uneventful last few days. We had enough rain over the night that we couldn’t do much Friday. We moved the calves from my uncles over to dads. So I fed all the calves. Then took care of some things in the shop.

I gave the Silverado a oil change and good look over once.

The mechanic from Deere stopped by. He checked out the codes and checked some things on the computer. Then I felt like a huge idiot. Why? Because he found this...

Diesel fuel all over up by the engine. A line to the injector was leaking. Had I just gone up and looked it would’ve been obvious what the problem was. I had gone up there twice after the code showed up. But it didn’t look anything like that while I was up there. I’m wondering if my uncle hadn’t seen that and thought maybe it was left over from the hydraulic hose a few weeks ago. Either way if I gone back up by then engine I could’ve saved us the service call. But one of the store had the line I needed so I picked it up Friday evening.

So Saturday was back to feeding again.


After checking cattle I put the new fuel line on the 9770.

I rain it for a few minutes just to make sure there weren’t any other problems but I’ll likely have to wait til we can really run it.

Since the 9770 was out in the big shed I just grabbed a few tools from the shop to take out to replace the hose. I wasn’t sure what I may need to remove the line. So I prepared myself.

I think I had just about anything I could’ve possibly needed for removal. Turns out it was pretty easy to get to.

That was pretty much it for the farm stuff. The rest of the day I spent doing some stuff for the house. Since I’ve been tired of borrowing things from the shop I picked up a few new things for the house.



I have enough stuff in the truck as it is. So I hate hauling things back and forth for house work. Plus I’ve been enforcing the rule if I’ve needed it more than twice I might as well just buy it.

 

[captain14]

We all have those days we miss something obvious and someone else sees the problem immeadiately.

When you grab a handful Of Tools for a specific job away from the shop/service truck, do you throw them in a tool bag/ bucket or just handful?

When you moved the calves from your uncles to your dads, is that close enough to have a “calf” drive or move them in a trailer?

 

[Farmall450]

Good looking cat for a stray. Makes up for the hours I'll put in on another farm thread!

 

[Farmall450]

I got that same DeWalt saw with an eBay coupon over summer. It's been excellent so far!

 

[cliftonbros89]

We all have those days we miss something obvious and someone else sees the problem immeadiately.

When you grab a handful Of Tools for a specific job away from the shop/service truck, do you throw them in a tool bag/ bucket or just handful?

When you moved the calves from your uncles to your dads, is that close enough to have a “calf” drive or move them in a trailer?

Those days always annoy me though.

I have a Stanley tote I usually use when I’m carrying a hand full of things out of the shop to work on something.

It was cheap at Sears. It works well to grab a few rails of sockets, some wrenches and a few other items. Throw them in and out I go. However, since I’ve been temporarily been using the Silverado for the service truck the Stanley tote is holding all my wrenches from the service truck. But Saturday when I replaced the line on the on 9770 I actually used that smaller Craftsman case in the above picture. I actually fit all of those 3/4” wrenches/crowfoot wrenches, 3/8” extensions, 3/8” ratchet, 1/4” ratchet and socket, and two 8mm wrenches all in that small one.

Moving the calves from my uncles do my dad’s requires just using the truck and trailer. There isn’t really much of a good route to drive them. Plus it’d be about a mile to drive them as well.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I got that same DeWalt saw with an eBay coupon over summer. It's been excellent so far!

I was thinking it’d be pretty good. This brushless stuff seems to all run really well. Plus I figured I’d like this one better than the smaller option. Although I may have been spoiled a bit with dad’s flexvolt saw. That thing with one of the big flexvolt batteries on it is awesome. Not to mention it will run all day long too.

 

[cliftonbros89]

So I’ve been considering it for a few years now. But I’m still a bit unsure about it. I think right now I’m at a stage that I’m most ready to make a move and really try something.

For the last few years I’ve been trying to think of something I could do to make a bit of money on the side. Maybe selling something or the like. So I was thinking of what’s something I feel I’d know a bit about and would enjoy selling and could possibly be good at selling? My first thought? Tools.

So I was thinking about tools. There’s already a Snap On guy in the area again (that’d be too much for me anyway). There’s a Matco guy, which if you follow along you know I get things from him frequently. So I thought what if I could sell tools that would appeal to more of the market directed to other farmers? More of the market that doesn’t have access to a regular tool truck. But could use something else besides what’s offered at the local farm and home supply stores.

So I looked up a few options. I thought about SK. Now I like SK, a lot. However, I feel (as I think many other GJ people do) that SK lacks in offering a variety of things, or updating to say the least. SK started running tool trucks. I talked to a rep, he sort of gave me some details. But SK was running the whole operation through a separate distribution company. But the rep told me by the end of the year (last year) they were going to start a new program without the separate distribution company and do it on their own. He told me to contact him if after that because he thought it would be more of what I would like to do. Rather than a full time tool truck route.

Now I know I’d need to find if there would even be a local market for me to sell to. I’ve talked to a hand full of people who act like they would for sure be interested in purchasing some SK stuff. Everyone’s dad or grandpa had the old SK stuff in the green box and it still works. Everyone’s other options for a long time was just Craftsman and everyone is fed up with Craftsman.

So now that things with my dad have settled down, things for my girlfriend had settled down, we’re getting settled into the house. I think, especially with winter coming, now would be a good time to really start to seriously look into possibly starting something.


What do you guys think? I haven’t been in contact with SK for awhile but I think I may contact them this week to get more of an idea of how their new system works and what my options would be. I also considered maybe selling a GJ favorite, Trusty Cook hammers, and also possibly St. Louis Pneumatic tools as well. They’re close, good quaility, affordable, U.S. made, and they mentioned to be one of the few requirements is you just have to move 10 items a year. I think I could move at least 10 pneumatic tools in a year.

Just an idea.

 

[cvairwerks]

Don't beat yourself up too much about the fuel leak. Stuff like that happens to every body. They come in two varieties:
1: Despite being obvious, you can't see them and if they were snakes, you'd be bitten.

2. So obvious, that they stand out like a diamond in a goat's a** at 30 feet...

My best one was walking into the hangar one night and looking at what the previous two shifts had done. Within about 10 seconds I told them they would have to pull everything back out and undo about 100 manhours of work...They had forgotten to install a duct that had to go in first thing. Management argued with me for nearly an hour and tried to prove me wrong...Several phone calls and a trip into the main plant finally convinced them I was correct. I spend the next couple of hours taking it all back apart. Days was livid about finding all their work undone until we pointed out they hadn't install this particular duct first. Some very red faced mechanics and management when they looked at it...


As to the tool idea, search back a year or so about one member's foray into the tool business and the problems and grief he encountered during the time he was doing it.

 

[Farmall450]

I was thinking it’d be pretty good. This brushless stuff seems to all run really well. Plus I figured I’d like this one better than the smaller option. Although I may have been spoiled a bit with dad’s flexvolt saw. That thing with one of the big flexvolt batteries on it is awesome. Not to mention it will run all day long too.

Yeah, I wouldn't get the small one. Probably can't even cut a 2x on a 45 lol.
My uncle is a carpenter and he has the small Makita and made a point to tell me to stay away from the little guys.

 

[cliftonbros89]

As to the tool idea, search back a year or so about one member's foray into the tool business and the problems and grief he encountered during the time he was doing it.

I recall reading a few threads about similar situations on here. I know it can definitely be a pain in the *** situation.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well things dried a bit over the weekend. But things were still too wet in the bottom. Also, the second crop beans left in the hills still aren’t ready.

So after feeding the calves we took a different route for today. I got the drill from the retirement farm, where it’s been since the last rain, and brought it to the shop.

I cleaned the last of the rye out because we were getting ready to start on drilling some wheat.

With some help from the DeWalt vac I got everything out.

This afternoon I spread some fertilizer

I also mowed around some of the fields we’ll be drilling in wheat.

After clearing some trees out from the edges of the fields dad got started drilling. He just picked up the wheat seed this morning. Freshly clean and treated

This evening I had to take off one of the hydraulic hoses for the auger wagon that had the wheat seed on it. It was leaking oil pretty bad. So that was about it for the day.

We’re planning on finishing up with that part of the wheat tomorrow, drilling and fertilizing. We still won’t be able to do beans tomorrow and more chances of rain come Wednesday and Thursday. So they’ll be on hold again.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Wednesday we got started on things pretty quick. I did the feeding and got the tractors ready to roll. Then dad and I filled the drill up with wheat before the sun was even up.

While he started on drilling wheat I started on finishing spreading the fertilizer.

I finished with the fertilizer and loaded the auger wagon with more wheat for dad.

Then I set things up to start hauling off some of our November contracted corn.

I managed to get two loads hauled off and one of the trucks loaded for Thursday.

I also dropped the service truck off to be worked on.

Thursday morning I started raining. Then rained some more. So it wasn’t a very active day. We had one of the seed guys to stop and talk about some deals on seed. The rain managed to stop long enough for us to get the other truck loaded so we managed to haul off 2 loads.


We took care of some paper work. It just kept raining so dad and I went to town to do some work to my basement at the house.

As far as today goes so far there’s actually a bit of sun. But it is wet out.

Almost 3 inches so far and more of a chance come Sunday til Tuesday. Looks like the beans and ground work in the bottom is going to be delayed for awhile.

I guess I’ll at least be able to get some jobs at the house done and some jobs in the shop started. In the mean time we’re going to try and haul some more corn off.

 

[jeepxj]

Don't beat yourself up too much about the fuel leak. Stuff like that happens to every body. They come in two varieties:
1: Despite being obvious, you can't see them and if they were snakes, you'd be bitten.

2. So obvious, that they stand out like a diamond in a goat's a** at 30 feet...

My best one was walking into the hangar one night and looking at what the previous two shifts had done. Within about 10 seconds I told them they would have to pull everything back out and undo about 100 manhours of work...They had forgotten to install a duct that had to go in first thing. Management argued with me for nearly an hour and tried to prove me wrong...Several phone calls and a trip into the main plant finally convinced them I was correct. I spend the next couple of hours taking it all back apart. Days was livid about finding all their work undone until we pointed out they hadn't install this particular duct first. Some very red faced mechanics and management when they looked at it...


As to the tool idea, search back a year or so about one member's foray into the tool business and the problems and grief he encountered during the time he was doing it.

got a link?

 

[Toothaker]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217037

It's a four year saga, from 2013 to 2107, where a member here (softailgarage) started and stopped driving a tool truck. It is definitely worth reading if you're considering buying a tool truck franchise.

Post #355 is the end summary.

 

[aslack99]

Read this whole thread from start to finish, so I may have missed it, but why do you call it the "retirement farm"? I was kind of hoping it was where you planned on retiring in the future...

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well not a lot of action on Friday. We loaded up the trucks and hauled off enough corn to fill our contract.

We emptied out one of the bins at the house.

After that it was wet so I took off to do some things at the house.

I redid my bathroom in the basement a bit. New floor, new trim, new paint, and and stained everything that wasn’t painted.

Saturday I did some more work at the house. Also had several people over for a party.

I took the day off today as well. More rain, wind and cool air. More rain on the radar for tomorrow evening. But there’s plenty to catch up on at the shop.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Read this whole thread from start to finish, so I may have missed it, but why do you call it the "retirement farm"? I was kind of hoping it was where you planned on retiring in the future...

The retirement farm is a farm that we rent. I just refer to it as that since it’s usually where we keep several of the older cows at. It’s kind of where they go to retire. But that kind of changed when we put a few young heifers out there at the beginning of the year.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well after a bit of the weekend off Monday ended up wet. But before it the rain arrived I got a few things done. Unfortunately, it started with a flat on the 4020.

I first grabbed my highlight jack. It wouldn’t raise the front high enough though. So I grabbed some blocks and a bottle jack. But it maxed out so I had to grab more blocks and another bottle jack.

At least I had my DeWalt impact to make things a little easier.

After finally getting the spare on I ground a batch of feed for the calves.

Since the pastures are starting to thin I put out some hay to all of the cattle. Just to offer the cattle a little something extra right now.

But by the time I finished putting out hay the rain set in.


Since it was raining I took the flat from the 4020, a slow leaking tire from the Kubota and a bad wagon spare to get fixed.

That pretty much wrapped up the day. It rained til late in the evening.

I went to town to get some nuts and bolts were running low on at the shop. I also picked up the pair of Channellock cutters to keep at the house for things.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

Today was one of the first days we’ve had some sunshine in quite awhile. Luckily, it was fairly warm too.

Started the day with cleaning up one of the auger wagons and the water wagon and took them to one of the barns for the winter.

I was going to move the 8400 out of the shed this morning. However, I found dad left the drill monitor on when he moved the 8400 and it drained the batteries.

So I took the batteries out and put them on chargers in the shop.

Even though it’s going to be awhile before we can get back to cutting beans we got both combines all ready to go.



We blew the dirt off both of them, washed them, greased them, and cleaned the cabs and air filters. The 9770 really needed a wash job from the previously blown hydraulic hose and fuel line.

By the end of the week temperatures are supposed to take a sudden dip down below freezing, til at least the middle of next week. So we thought it’d be a good time to clean and winterize the sprayer since we won’t be needing it til spring.


We used several cases of RV antifreeze to winterize it. Now I’d just like to figure out a way to catch all the antifreeze when we drain it out of the sprayer booms in the spring.

Later this afternoon we picked up the tires I dropped off yesterday. Also, we picked up my truck.

Good news is it wasn’t anything with the head! Apparently some fitting on the back of the engine was leaking and where it would leak out at the engine was hot enough to burn it off before it would run down to the ground. So besides that they said there was some sort of fuel issue as well. But they fixed both of those problems. So now I should be good to go. I’m sure am glad to have it back.

So we got back to the shop and put the tire back on the Kubota, the tire back on the 4020, gave the 4020 a quick wash job, and cleaned up several things in the shop.

I also pulled the truck in so I could started to transfer everything back to it out of my Silverado.









The only bad thing is that this had made me want to reorganize things. I’m also trying to think of different ways I can store things to save some space. Plus, thinking of things I should try to add to the truck.

I eliminated some of the tools, a few hammers, ratchet, screwdrivers, some punches, things like that. I have some room and I feel like I’m missing some things that I could probably add. I’m just not sure what though.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I also picked this up for $3.


I got it at the home and farm supply store when I picked up bolts and nuts yesterday. It a container that we get chain in. They were selling some empties that they had. They’re fairly tough and rather large. So I thought for $3 it was worth a shot. Not sure what I’ll use it for. But I thought it may be handy for storage in the bed of the truck.

 

[Sifan]

LOL you keep adding tools to that truck you're going to be overloaded on your plates

 

[cvairwerks]

On the sprayer, there’s no way to use shop air to blow the system down and dry?

 

[cliftonbros89]

On the sprayer, there’s no way to use shop air to blow the system down and dry?

I’m not sure. Maybe if you had a whole lot of time and patience. Eighty foot worth of boom to blow out, multiple tanks, hoses going to and from all tanks to the booms, pumps, inlets, outlets, then there’s the system where you pour in and add your chemicals. If I knew it could be done correctly and in a timely manor I would absolutely do it. But it’s a hell of a lot of ground to cover. There’s a whole of of plumping under that tank and cab.

LOL you keep adding tools to that truck you're going to be overloaded on your plates

That’s what dad said about the truck I had before this one.

 

[captain14]

[QUOTE-That’s what dad said about the truck I had before this one.[/QUOTE]

But if it saves you time to return to the shop for the tool or repair...

 

[cliftonbros89]

[QUOTE-That’s what dad said about the truck I had before this one.

But if it saves you time to return to the shop for the tool or repair...[/QUOTE]


That’s my idea behind it. I just need to figure what all would be best to have.

 

[XJSuperman]

Super jealous of the truck. I want a service body in a bad kinda way.

I think the antifreeze collection problem would be solved by a piece of aluminum gutter. There are companies that show up in a van and can make any length seamless gutter on site. 80ft should be easy. The hard part would be getting it close enough to the nozzles to get the fluid in the gutter. You would need some sort of stands for it. Just drain the gutter into a barrel or buckets or whatever and dispose of it.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Super jealous of the truck. I want a service body in a bad kinda way.

I think the antifreeze collection problem would be solved by a piece of aluminum gutter. There are companies that show up in a van and can make any length seamless gutter on site. 80ft should be easy. The hard part would be getting it close enough to the nozzles to get the fluid in the gutter. You would need some sort of stands for it. Just drain the gutter into a barrel or buckets or whatever and dispose of it.

I just wish it was bigger. I also wish I had a larger air compressor.

I considered a gutter as well. But as you said it presents a few challenges. Being wide and close enough to catch everything without overflowing, being supported enough to catch it, plus having something large enough to catch everything draining out. It would likely take 3 pieces rather than just one. One for each side plus one for the center. I’m just not sure what the cost of it would be.

 

[jabin]

I know RV antifreeze is non-toxic but is it bad for the soil? Understand that you're not pumping into the fields but the driveway.

BTW, love your daily Farm life thread, thank you for the time and work it takes you to keep this live.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I know RV antifreeze is non-toxic but is it bad for the soil? Understand that you're not pumping into the fields but the driveway.



BTW, love your daily Farm life thread, thank you for the time and work it takes you to keep this live.

I’m sure it’s not good for the soil. But that’s why I’m hoping to catch it.

 

[Riley]

I believe RV anti freeze is actually poly ethylene glycol, rather than normal auto anti freeze which is ethylene glycol. Poly is non-toxic to pets and people, regular will send you or your pet into kidney failure toot sweet. So, while I can't say its good for soil, it is considered non-toxic. FYI. Love the thread and keeping up with happenings on the farm.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Bit of an unexpected start to the day yesterday. I was at the shop trying to reorganize the service truck. Dad decided to go bow hunting. He ended up shooting a doe with his bow.

First day he went hunting and first kill for the season.

Dad and my uncle have a tractor pull coming up next weekend. So I had to help start getting tractors ready and get the trailer ready for the trip.



I had to move things around to get a few tractors out. So I had to rearrange equipment in the shed as well.



Today I fed a bit more hay. The cattle over at my uncles are going after the hay a bit more than the rest so far.

I also had some time to pick up the shop a bit. I’ll hopefully be getting a start on some winter maintenance in the shop soon so I wanted to make sure things were ready to go.


The four wheeler is going so it’ll be nice to get it out. Now if I could just get dad on getting the golf cart out of there.

I had a power steering hose in the service truck leaking so I took care of that this evening.

Bottom of the hose down by the pump was a bit of a pain to get to. But it was nothing that a crowfoot wrenches could take care of. 18mm on top. 16mm on bottom. It was nice to work on something and only need about 5 tools instead of half the box for once.

Dad also made a trip to Illinois to pick on a barrel of some VP Racing fuel for the pulling tractors. Pretty pricey stuff.

Temperatures are starting to drop and supposed to drop even more. Not much of a chance of more precipitation soon. But we’ll see if that stays true. The radar showed little showers off and on all day today. Even snow. But nothing ever actually made it to the ground. If things stay like this, maybe, just maybe we’ll be able to get some more beans out by the end of next week. Although some more sunshine would be nice.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I believe RV anti freeze is actually poly ethylene glycol, rather than normal auto anti freeze which is ethylene glycol. Poly is non-toxic to pets and people, regular will send you or your pet into kidney failure toot sweet. So, while I can't say its good for soil, it is considered non-toxic. FYI. Love the thread and keeping up with happenings on the farm.

Thanks. I thought the RV was different. But either way when it comes time to flush it out in spring I don’t want to just run it all out on the ground.

 

[Riley]

Roger. Just wanted to point out, I have not found any info it would hurt anything. I've used it as a wood preservative base with good results.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well I know I’ve done a bit of an overview of the service truck before. But I thought I may go over it since reloading it.

Behind the seat. Jumper cables, tow rope, first aid kit, leather gloves, chemical gloves, face mask, safety glasses, extra light, towels, paper towels, hand cleaner, and hand towels.


Driver side first compartment is oil. Mainly engine and hydraulic. Along with a few quarts of both gear oils that we run. This is working for now. But I’m still trying to think on an alternative. These jugs wear quick and seep oil. It makes things messy. But they’re the perfect size to fit in there.


Driver side middle is supplies. Nuts, bolts, o-ring kit, hydraulic plug and cap kit, screw, electrical, tapes, a few miscellaneous fittings, roll pins, cotter keys, zip ties, gasket material, rtv gasket material, thread lock, retaining rings, hose clamps, fuel hose, key stock, grease fittings, and string, be it to measure something, tie something, or pull something.


Driver side top. Ratchet straps, although I probably wouldn’t have to have as many, baling wire, rope, hitch pins and hitches and balls for the truck.


Driver side back. Currently empty basically. Just been keeping a pair of rubber boots in there and an extension cord, which for now is just going to be good for plugging the truck in when it soon dips down to the 20’s overnight.


Passenger side back. Has room for more and could probably have some things relocated. One chain, for now. Bottle jacks. Blocks for whatever, safety triangles, and wheel chock.

Passenger side middle I forgot to take a picture of. But it has the cleaners, degreasers, gasket cleaner, lubricants, anti seize, funnels, antifreeze, and there was a few jugs with water to mix with coolant but have been removed for now so they don’t freeze.


Passenger side top. Large SAE and metric wrenches. Cheater pipe, SK xxl 3/4” breaker bar, sledge hammer, 4lb hammer, and hacksaw, it still has room left too.



Passenger side front, lower. Cordless drill, impact, 3/8” impact and 1/2” impact. 3/4” sockets, retaining ring plier set, electrical tools and supplies, and (not pictured) shovel.



Passenger side front upper. A bit rearranged since pictured. Screwdrivers, picks, prybars, pliers, files, filter wrenches, tire gauges, ratchets, extensions, punches and chisels.
Second drawer is hammers, pipe wrenches, SAE and metric combination wrenches, combinations ratchet wrenches, 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” sockets. Torx sockets, hex sockets, SAE swivel sockets, crowfoot wrenches and hex L-keys.

I also forgot the bed. I’m hoping to put a piece of e-track on each side and the front. I’d like to mount the high left jack and short shovel to the front, 4’ step ladder to the right side, I currently have the smaller DeWalt compressor back there. Which I’d like to find a different option for. The box with the grease guns and grease tubes and cordless cutoff tool. Also, currently the box of combine/header parts, trash box, and a few larger blocks.

Am I forgetting anything. I’ve been trying to think of ideas to add some lights, I still plan to add the inverter in there some where. Thinking of different options for the oil. I need to mount the truck spare tire somehow. It has not mount underneath. I’d like to carry an implement spare with me too. Fire extinguisher. Maybe a small torch? I’ve also been trying to think of tools as well. 24” pipe wrench, larger adjustable wrench for emergencies? Tap and die set? Retreading set? I know I for sure would like SAE and metric angle wrenches, metric crowfoot wrenches, more SAE and metric swivel sockets. Air chisel/hammer would be handy.
Just some thoughts

 

[cliftonbros89]

I also forgot to add today I got the tandem truck from the shed in the bottom.

One reason being it has some beans on it that need to go in the bin. Second reason being that one of our landlords is looking for a truck for his business so his brother came by today to check it out. Being that dad is a little disappoint with its performance he’s considering selling it and looking for something different. 2018 is just not the year for the tandem for us.

 

[cvairwerks]

Question on a particular tool... Screwdriver drawer, left side with the ratchets, is a tool with a 1/2 drive opening broached in it, but the business end is shaped sorta like the letter Omega. What’s it used for? I’m used to seeing and using lots of specialty tools, but have never run across anything even close to that one.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Question on a particular tool... Screwdriver drawer, left side with the ratchets, is a tool with a 1/2 drive opening broached in it, but the business end is shaped sorta like the letter Omega. What’s it used for? I’m used to seeing and using lots of specialty tools, but have never run across anything even close to that one.

Are you referring to the Lisle 43500? It’s a bit of a slim extension. It’s come in handy for fan belt tensioners that have a 1/2” square drive. I helped someone on a combine once and it was the only thing I had that would fit. The opposite end is made to work with a tool that Lisle includes in their fan clutch wrench set. It’s supposed to let you use it with an air hammer.

A similar tool I have in my shop box is the Snap On SDR6

I like it better as it has a triple share open end that gives you more options of attaching a ratchet or breaker bar. I’ve used it before with a socket in some awkward spots. It was also awesome for the alternator belt on our 8400. That tensioner has a 3/4” square on it. It’s impossible to fit a 3/4” ratchet or breaker bar in it. So the SRD6, an adaptor and 1/2” breaker bar on the other end works great!

 

[cvairwerks]

Cool, didn't see the male part, so didn't recognize it. I've used "Z" extensions for years at work. There are times you need lateral offsets and the ability to torque backwards on some of our installations due to clearance needs.