Looking for recommendations on a good puller. A couple of my projects lately have required me to pull Bearing or gears from shafts. So I have borrowed my dads puller set a couple time. So I figured it’s time for me to buy my own puller set. I started researching and didn’t realize how extensive this category is. Is there any brand that sticks out as the absolute best? Is the advantages to a 2 jaw over a 3 jaw. What size will handle most jobs?
Good Puller recommendation
- Thread starter shawhite
- Start date
SO is the best but also the most pricey. I would go with Proto or OTC. Matco and MAC pullers are just rebranded OTC for double the price. Three jaws is easy to use and stronger and can be use as a 2 jaws as well if accessibility become an issue. In term of size, it depend on the situation. If you download OTC catalog, it will tell you what puller size to use base on bearing inner diameter (if I recall correctly).
If cost is a major factor, go with Craftsman (rebranded OTC?), OEM, Duralast.
If cost is a major factor, go with Craftsman (rebranded OTC?), OEM, Duralast.
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fatfillup
Well-known member
There is no one size fits all puller size or style.
Snap on is likely the best but they are pricey. Proto makes some nice pullers and i have seen some Cman 2 and 3 jaw pullers that are decent. OTC's are ok also. Posilock's are great.
I would suggest starting off with a 2/3 jaw combo puller and a H bar puller and add as needed.
Snap on is likely the best but they are pricey. Proto makes some nice pullers and i have seen some Cman 2 and 3 jaw pullers that are decent. OTC's are ok also. Posilock's are great.
I would suggest starting off with a 2/3 jaw combo puller and a H bar puller and add as needed.
Good advice.
I have a 3 jaw posilock, a couple different size OTC H blocks with different length arms and yokes and some bearing splitters. The posilock was stupid expensive but really nice when it fits.
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DFB
Well-known member
Ya I have big Craftsman branded 2 jaw puller (8 inch 
) and an OTC flange set of with two different flange sizes and multiple threads configurations, Both have served me well.
) and an OTC flange set of with two different flange sizes and multiple threads configurations, Both have served me well.Free to borrow at many autoparts stores.
I would not invest a lot of money in such a thing unless my whoopdie regularly blew bearings.
I haven't blown out a bearing of any sort since 1981, and I didn't need a puller.
It's a nice tool to borrow. it's a space eater and a loaner.
I have many of them. Yard Sale and auction add ins or at the bottom of a 2 buck box.
I would not invest a lot of money in such a thing unless my whoopdie regularly blew bearings.
I haven't blown out a bearing of any sort since 1981, and I didn't need a puller.
It's a nice tool to borrow. it's a space eater and a loaner.
I have many of them. Yard Sale and auction add ins or at the bottom of a 2 buck box.
Dingleburry
Well-known member
Second posilock.
Make sure to always grease all thresds
Make sure to always grease all thresds
Finky198
Well-known member
This
^^Start with the basics and build off of that. my box of pullers is now bigger then my tool box. I have a mix of Snappy, OTC, ATD, HF and a bunch older no name usa stuff. Pullers can include a lot, everything from bolt grip style for engine and motors, to bearing splitters, Hub pullers, hydraulic pullers and press, slide hammers, Come-alongs, porta powers. It's all Force multiplication which reduces physical efforts. Hey I will take all the help I can get... And once it's apart you usually need some sort of press and adapters to rebuild said item. Getting it apart is only half the battle usually the worse half tho...
For Instance
Yesterday I had to use the 4 ton porta power, actl torch, and a sledge hammer to disassembly an adjustable width trailer hitch that was frozen in place... each job needs a different tool depending on how you approach the problem...
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What about these skf pullers.
http://www.skf.com/us/products/main...ernal-pullers/standard-jaw-pullers/index.html
The guys that recommend snapon do you have any part number also what sets them apart from the rest
http://www.skf.com/us/products/main...ernal-pullers/standard-jaw-pullers/index.html
The guys that recommend snapon do you have any part number also what sets them apart from the rest
catalytic
Well-known member
I have pulled a LOT of bearings. Most came off of industrial machines and motors.
A professional machine rebuilder who has earned the respect of that community told me to get a Proto 2-arm 10-ton puller when I started out. This is because it's easy to put a clamp across the two arms so they don't pop off. Also, they spread pressure out pretty well (if you're pulling a cast iron or aluminum part, it's easy to just break the part where puller jaws touch it rather than pulling it off). I much prefer this type to the OTC type, which I also have, as the OTC type tends to require 3 hands to set up (though they work well too).
You'll also want either a set of the narrow arms or a different puller with narrow arms.
Finally, get a couple of bearing splitters. I have snap on CJ-949, CJ-950, and CJ-951. Proto and OTC are good, too.
A professional machine rebuilder who has earned the respect of that community told me to get a Proto 2-arm 10-ton puller when I started out. This is because it's easy to put a clamp across the two arms so they don't pop off. Also, they spread pressure out pretty well (if you're pulling a cast iron or aluminum part, it's easy to just break the part where puller jaws touch it rather than pulling it off). I much prefer this type to the OTC type, which I also have, as the OTC type tends to require 3 hands to set up (though they work well too).
You'll also want either a set of the narrow arms or a different puller with narrow arms.
Finally, get a couple of bearing splitters. I have snap on CJ-949, CJ-950, and CJ-951. Proto and OTC are good, too.
Carquest
Well-known member
Kukko, expensive but very nice. And lots of options on sizes and kits
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
I believe in having every puller I ever stumble across that didn't come from asia. Avoid those unless you have a death wish or deal with nothing larger than a tricycle.
The proto six ton set and ten ton wide set are a great start.
The proto six ton set and ten ton wide set are a great start.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
That's exactly what I was going to say; word for word.
3 Jaw always when you can. Helps spread out the load and stop the forcing screw tip from walking.
Posilock are excellent. Just heavy/bulkier due to the cage but it also 'locks' the arms against what your pulling so you don't have to have 3-4 hands to set it up and similarly you don't need to worry about the jaw tips pulling away as the pressure screw is tightened. It works so well that they advertise them for removing bearing races since the arms can dig in when compressed by the cage. Again very nice pullers-but they cost some good money too.
The only downside is they're exclusively external pullers because of the design and they make exactly 1 internal puller only for use with a slide hammer.
Some of the Snap-On use a pressure spring/plate to keep the jaws aligned against your pulling surface to make setup easier which is nice. They also sell some very nice (and super expensive) kits to make many different pullers. Many are also convertible for internal or external pulling. They're a good high end choice but dollar for dollar posilock are nicer.
Posilock are excellent. Just heavy/bulkier due to the cage but it also 'locks' the arms against what your pulling so you don't have to have 3-4 hands to set it up and similarly you don't need to worry about the jaw tips pulling away as the pressure screw is tightened. It works so well that they advertise them for removing bearing races since the arms can dig in when compressed by the cage. Again very nice pullers-but they cost some good money too.
The only downside is they're exclusively external pullers because of the design and they make exactly 1 internal puller only for use with a slide hammer.
Some of the Snap-On use a pressure spring/plate to keep the jaws aligned against your pulling surface to make setup easier which is nice. They also sell some very nice (and super expensive) kits to make many different pullers. Many are also convertible for internal or external pulling. They're a good high end choice but dollar for dollar posilock are nicer.
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I have had a mix of pullers through the years.
But have settled on SO, partially because there line is more extensive than the other stuff.
Much of it is interchangeable with the A257 bushing installer or use with the collets CG500 stuff.
Just added the CG2400b to the mix small slide hammer with pullers.
On my want list is the blind hole set.
I do gearboxes and other mechanical assemblies so sort of never know what will come in.
But with the range and versatility of the SO stuff there is very little I can not come up with a solution for. If not than the lathe and mill get used.
But have settled on SO, partially because there line is more extensive than the other stuff.
Much of it is interchangeable with the A257 bushing installer or use with the collets CG500 stuff.
Just added the CG2400b to the mix small slide hammer with pullers.
On my want list is the blind hole set.
I do gearboxes and other mechanical assemblies so sort of never know what will come in.
But with the range and versatility of the SO stuff there is very little I can not come up with a solution for. If not than the lathe and mill get used.
Consider getting hydraulic press. 10-15ton press removes things with ease, that even the mightiest screw pullers struggle with.
I believe SKF originally came up with this set decades ago. It was very expensive. Today they are made somewhere in Asia and can be had for cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PROFESSIONA...219592?hash=item27d40b1108:g:z4wAAOSwdjNZCQK-
I have one similar/same I bought cheap off Ebay 15 years ago. It's a great set and you need large screw puller to match it in terms of force. Unfortunately the seals in mine didn't last long. Thankfully you can buy the "ram" part separately on ebay, or do some tinkering and install good hydraulic seals into it like I did. Rest of the kit is made out of surprisingly strong materials. Bargain for the price IMHO.
Many companies make good pullers, I will throw Facom, Gedore, Bahco into the mix here.
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fatfillup
Well-known member
I can see being frugal but I hate having to run out to get anything so I'll keep my pullers vs. borrowing from the parts stores.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Snap-On puller set is extremely nice and versatile but pricey. I was fortunate and purchased mine used (like new) from a local pawn shop about 20 years ago.
That being said, I have found there really is no one size fits all for pullers, but the Snap-On set with the various bars and legs makes a great attempt. I also have a full set of the Posi Lock pullers and absolutely love this puller style but definitely NOT a one size fits all or even many for that matter. They have a fairly narrow range of sizes per puller.
http://www.posilock.com/
My number one go do is a bearing separator and arbor plates on my hydraulic press IF the part is off and able to put in the press, otherwise I reach for either my Posi-Lock or Snap-On pullers.
Mike
That being said, I have found there really is no one size fits all for pullers, but the Snap-On set with the various bars and legs makes a great attempt. I also have a full set of the Posi Lock pullers and absolutely love this puller style but definitely NOT a one size fits all or even many for that matter. They have a fairly narrow range of sizes per puller.
http://www.posilock.com/
My number one go do is a bearing separator and arbor plates on my hydraulic press IF the part is off and able to put in the press, otherwise I reach for either my Posi-Lock or Snap-On pullers.
Mike
Brick Axelrod
Member
I have a small medium and large posilock along with Snap On CJ2004 set. They are all great but I lean towards the Snap On set and that part number can be had time to time on EBay for 3 to 4 hundred bucks if your patient. OTC had a couple of decent sets also.