Here is what I am working with, perhaps someone has a better idea? It is easy enough access through the top cover, just not a lot of space for ratchet action from the plate on the cutter head to the side plate of the machine. The 2 center bolts are easy enough, but the 2 on the sides are the difficult ones. There are only 8 knives, and for the corn only 4 are used with the other 4 left completely off.
Longest 1/2" Ratchet?
- Thread starter seanb02
- Start date
WittHay
Well-known member
Use wrenches either double wrenching or with a wrench extender. They dont bend like a breaker bar or ratchet. Big hammer if need be. Just to break them free and then use a 1/2 ratchet
Hard to judge the angle and clearance by the picture, but maybe a 3/4 drive impact, extension and universal joint
Pictures of my favorite 1 1/4" wrenches and stupid big hydraulic pipes buried under wires and smaller hoses on a IH tractor
Hard to judge the angle and clearance by the picture, but maybe a 3/4 drive impact, extension and universal joint
Pictures of my favorite 1 1/4" wrenches and stupid big hydraulic pipes buried under wires and smaller hoses on a IH tractor
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Ign
Well-known member
I just received the Tekton 24" yesterday from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLNL8Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The chrome is nice, the head isn't huge, and backdrag is minimal. I do think the handle will flex under load though. I paid $31 via AWD
If you can get your hands on a 24" Steelman Cobra 78631 they were overbuilt despite being a locking flex head -- it's likely the most overbuilt flex mechanism you'll ever see. Unfortunately Steelman - and more specifically the Cobra line - suffered from poor brand recognition, poor marketing and questionable ergonomics and tool balance in the hand. The Cobra stuff has apparently been discontinued. These were 90T
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLNL8Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The chrome is nice, the head isn't huge, and backdrag is minimal. I do think the handle will flex under load though. I paid $31 via AWD
If you can get your hands on a 24" Steelman Cobra 78631 they were overbuilt despite being a locking flex head -- it's likely the most overbuilt flex mechanism you'll ever see. Unfortunately Steelman - and more specifically the Cobra line - suffered from poor brand recognition, poor marketing and questionable ergonomics and tool balance in the hand. The Cobra stuff has apparently been discontinued. These were 90T
WittHay
Well-known member
This thing is great for a pull behind... when it isn't broken down. This is its third corn harvest, and it has been more of a shop queen than anything else so far. Last year was slightly better, but it still had a few breakdowns. Between grass and corn it sees about 700 acres of use a year in a good season, so really not a huge amount.
The design seems to be great for the most part, then once you really get to know the machine there some things that just make you scratch your head and think "what"?
Well, I finally bit the bullet. Called up the local Matco guy about getting the 30" ratchet. Turned out after a bit of a run around he only had a 24" one on his truck, and was being quite rude sounding on the phone, as though he didn't care whether I took my business to him or elsewhere. He didn't even know the 30" one existed. I have purchased from him before, but I don't think I will again as he hung up on me during me saying I was going to make a couple more phone calls before I had him order one in for me.
Next call was the local SnapOn guy, I have never called the SnapOn guy before as the previous guy from what I have heard was a jerk to deal with, and the new guy had only been on the job for 4 months or so, hence I wasn't sure what to expect. Great friendly attitude on the phone, and good guy to do business with when I met him. I'll be purchasing more in the future for sure. Ended up with a 24" flex head, and it does the job, but just barely. A 30" would have been perfect, but the 24" will be fine for now.
Next call was the local SnapOn guy, I have never called the SnapOn guy before as the previous guy from what I have heard was a jerk to deal with, and the new guy had only been on the job for 4 months or so, hence I wasn't sure what to expect. Great friendly attitude on the phone, and good guy to do business with when I met him. I'll be purchasing more in the future for sure. Ended up with a 24" flex head, and it does the job, but just barely. A 30" would have been perfect, but the 24" will be fine for now.
Right! And I was going to, but when I finally decided I needed it I needed it right away. Figured it was worth a shot to call around before messing around for an extra couple hours to get the job done once again with the wrong tools.
Glad I did too, list price of $220 purchased for $175 because of promotions off of the truck. Ordered a couple of 3/8" ratchets as well from him. No promos going on with those, and he didn't there would be any time in the near future. Told me to hold off on buying a set of screwdrivers right away since those come up sometimes on promo deals as well. I like that kind of straight talk, not about taking my money right away but wanting to do what is best for the customer. Like I said before earned my future business for sure.
bradw100
Member
Looking at the pictures I'm guessing that the high recommended torque figure for that end bolt is largely to deal with vibration and not for holding the end of that blade down. You could probably torque to a lower value with your new ratchet if you used nylock nuts on those end bolts instead. I'd buy a box of these and put one in place as a trial and see what happens for one blade change interval. If it holds up well use the rest of the box.
I love mine, but Im not gunna lie the head isnt up for the torque.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
MAC has a 26 incher locking flex.
Part# VR2690LFPA
Part# VR2690LFPA
Tekton has 3/4 drive ratchets that are 72 tooth, 22" long, 1000 ft lb rating
https://www.tekton.com/sockets-and-...ars/3-4-inch-drive-x-22-inch-ratchet-srh01322
https://www.tekton.com/sockets-and-...ars/3-4-inch-drive-x-22-inch-ratchet-srh01322
I don't think that is the case. There are only 4 bolts per knife, and the curve of the knives isn't always an absolutely perfect match to the curve of the drum surface they bolt to. It takes close to 300 ft/lbs to make it lay perfectly flat on what they bolt to. These are not run of the mill carriage bolts and nuts either, they are designed for the application.
I have no issues torquing them to 300 ft/lbs, I can get there easy with a 24" ratchet, and used to get them there with an 18" ratchet. it is breaking them loose again a few months later that always proves to be difficult. Also I know I am right on the money with my "feel" torque because on the 16 bolts that I can get a torque wrench into they are right there, so I'm not as worried about the other 16 that are on the ends.
racinfarmer
Well-known member
I think I'd be tempted to trade that off for something like a Claas 850 or something like that.
What about using something like this to allow height and a breaker bar. You might be able to use that short ratchet once it is loosened a full turn with the breaker bar.
https://store.snapon.com/Standard-i...nt-SAE-1-Standard-Torque-Adaptor-P812998.aspx
Possibly just using a striking wrench upside down provided that it fits. https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/armstrong-1-1-16-offset-striking-wrench-33-034.html I believe that Wright makes a bunch of sizes. I just have a string wrench adaptor to use with impact sockets so I'm not sure what Wright's range is.
I've read about SK's ratcheting wrenches handling 5x A.N.S.I., but I don't know what that is. I have them, but I haven't used them to anything near 300ft-lbs. They might be good to review because of the ratcheting mechanism's multiple points of engagement (& swing arc, too).
https://store.snapon.com/Standard-i...nt-SAE-1-Standard-Torque-Adaptor-P812998.aspx
Possibly just using a striking wrench upside down provided that it fits. https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/armstrong-1-1-16-offset-striking-wrench-33-034.html I believe that Wright makes a bunch of sizes. I just have a string wrench adaptor to use with impact sockets so I'm not sure what Wright's range is.
I've read about SK's ratcheting wrenches handling 5x A.N.S.I., but I don't know what that is. I have them, but I haven't used them to anything near 300ft-lbs. They might be good to review because of the ratcheting mechanism's multiple points of engagement (& swing arc, too).
jonti48310
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2013
- Messages
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MAC has a 26 incher locking flex.
Part# VR2690LFPA
Not trying to bash on Mac but stay away from this ratchet. Go with Matco's 88 instead. Maybe just a one time quality control issue but my buddy's failed after the first time he tried to use it. See the "Mac" thread in the General Tool Discussion. But after about $220 you'll never have to buy another ratchet if you get the Matco one. I saw now that they have a 30". I've used my 24" for 4 years now with numerous "cheater" bars of various lenghts and it has never failed me and has always broken whatever I needed off loose. Just my 2 cents.
equitiesguy
Banned
I've used my SLF80A to break loose E18 (inverted torx) bolts on rotors for a Mercedes AMG with red loctite applied. It's a spectacular ratchet.
Carquest
Well-known member
Ditto on the Snap On, my favorite ratchet by far. And honestly, my favorite pull handle also
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Tarpley
Well-known member
Snap-on SHLFD80A is 25 3/4". I have the hard handle version and like it.
bradw100
Member
Ok, if it's need the full torque to lie flat, then my idea is no good. Glad you've found a ratchet that fits in the available space and can handle the torque necessary.
I'd be inclined to see if gatlibs isn't right - a striking wrench is pretty cheap, and since you just need to break the fastener loose...seems made for this..assuming you can get it on the fastener and have room to swing a hammer..
ahm
davethorik
Well-known member
My longest is Cornwell SRF76L @ 27-3/8" (chrome handle) it is a flex head.
Also have a fixed head Snap-on SLL80A that is just under 24".
Use the Snap-on more cuz it's in my work box, but both are awesome. The Cornwell flex head with super long handle is extremely useful.
Also have a fixed head Snap-on SLL80A that is just under 24".
Use the Snap-on more cuz it's in my work box, but both are awesome. The Cornwell flex head with super long handle is extremely useful.
nmantas
Well-known member
I know this has basically been settled with your new ratchet but, I've never used a striking wrench in my life but I'd be very tempted to buy a used 1-1/4 striking wrench on ebay for $20-$30 shipped and give that a go. The only possible issue would be how to hold the wrench on the nut because of gravity holding it down. If you couldn't hold it down I think I'd be epoxying some magnets on it.
wafrederick
Well-known member
Matco has the longest 1/2 drive locking flex head ratchet,30 inches.Released this year
It is not a catalog item. However that is quite cool, might have to talk to my SnapOn guy and see what could be done. I would think it would create a liability issue if the local guy does the conversion rather than buying two separate tools and you do it yourself?