Useful tools for heavy equipment

[marpat]

Hi,
I am going to school to work on heavy equipment and I was recently asked what I would want for christmas. I already have a fairly decent tool set, but what do you find is a must have for working on equipment?

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

3/4 ratchet and breaker bar. Long pry bars, striking are best. a good cheap thing to have, is a grease fitting adapter kit, much like this....http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395404_200395404
very handy...

I do general maintenance on heavy equiptment everyday, and besides a basic tools set, hand tools, multimeter, test light... there isn't too much that I find I NEED. Depending on the kind of work you plan on doing you may need more.

 

[marpat]

Thanks, I am looking for smaller items, adaptor kit looks good

 

[bobcatdan]

Cordless grease gun. I use the **** out the mine. Other wise stick with general tools for now, everybody love a new pair of channellocks. You won't really know what you need beon normal tools until you have a job.

 

[Hawk Thor]

Slogging ring wrenches. They're really useful for stuck bolts of the bigger kind, put on bolt + wail on with a hammer = Profit.


Get a telescoping magnetic pickup tool, cheap, but can really save time and frustration when a bolt or socket decides to jump out of your hand.

 

[RV77]

Reputable 1/2 and 3/4 impacts.....4 way angle wrenches

 

[theknurl]

if you are working on big stuff and are outside....

a Swench Wrench from Curtiss Wright, yes, the aircraft engine people
the 3/4" puts out 800 lb/ft and is 16" long
the 1" puts out 2,000 lb/ft and is 24" long

http://www.powerhawk.com/products_swench.html

i have a 1/2" and 3/4" don't work on much big stuff but when its stuck

 

[Acosi151]

I'll second the long pry bars... some really big pinch bars are good too. We make our own 48" versions and they get used in the install bays all day, everyday.

You're going to want a hydraulic pressure gauge and then every conceivable ORB, JIC, British Pipe, etc male/female adapter combination you can think of too. But don't go buy anything other than the gauge. The adapters you can have made and collect from whoever you'll be getting your hose from. Every time you run into a new fitting, get a pair of adapters made.

A real nice big pair or wire but connector crimpers is nice too... it's -40 and the beacon on top a machine's cab craps out because a chunk of ice tore off the wire? There's no time to bring it into the shop 'cause it's still snowing? This is no time to screw around with solder!

 

[crewchief888]

Get a telescoping magnetic pickup tool, cheap, but can really save time and frustration when a bolt or socket decides to jump out of your hand.

couple (or 10 ) small pocket size LED flashlights.

i gave up buying expensive lights, i loose them, drop them in oil, ect, ect.

oring picks
terminal tools
compact 12v cordless drill

 

[64Trvlr]

24V test light, 4-5 long HEAVY pry bars, a good 3/4 drive set, large tubing wrenches, good pick set for hyd cyl work, learn how to weld and fab some and to use a torch.

Good luck, I did it for a lot of years and had a ball. Remember you want to be a field guy instead of a shop *****.

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

nice back support brace

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

couple more things... short or midget wrenches, good pipe wrenches both big and small, some crowsfoot wrenches.... and a good welding helmet is a must. You don't want to get stuck with the **** "shop" helmet that everyone and there mother has used for the last 17 years, the headgear doesn't work so you have to hold it with one hand or pinch it with your chin and chest....

good sets of punches, chisels, files, drill bits, right angle drill. easy outs, taps and dies.... seriously, it's not cheap to do this... then you gotta have axle nut sockets, both 6 and 8 point, sometimes supplied by the shop but in a pinch... good filter wrenches are the cats *** too, the cheap ones bend. Blue point has a good 4 peice set.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Remember you want to be a field guy instead of a shop *****.

That made me laugh





One the filter wrench idea -- the big fabric strap kind is a good one , as well.

Also long test leads - like 25 footers.

 

[Alchymist]

Two must have tools:

 

[NHBandit]

A complete set of angle wrenches. The type that are open end on both ends, same size on each end but angled differently. You will need these for Hydraulic hoses much more often than you might think. Good ones ain't cheap.

 

[mayhemman]

i think all are covered well. i want to add to the strap wrench made by lisle, get the lisle one because its 1/2" drive. some are only 3/8" and don't hold up like they should.

used these for years on big truck filters and such. to me a must have. also probally the filter wrench for those newer fuel seperators if you will end up working on a engine with them. just a thought is all.

not sure what you run into on equipment for wheel suff but budd nut sockets are a must with heavy trucks, i assume they are in equiment but ive havn't had run in yet.

3/4" air gun and big air fitting, later on if the shop dont have one get a 1" gun(the one that takes 2 hands) with the long anvil those things make taking wheels off much nicer.

have you used a torch?, you will if lugs are tight enough, had to do this several times as a kid for dads trucks. never sieze is your friend with wheels.

i know some of this is out of your scope maybe price wise but these are things that will come up eventually im sure.

as far as axle nut sockets im sure you will pick up what you need when the time comes or use the shops(ive seen alot of shops have a rack with these ready for use) not that is a sure thing.

i strongly advise to buy the best you can afford as time goes on with heavy duty stuff comes higher torques and things get bent and messed up beyond most peoples imagination.

im trying to think of anything that isn't covered in others posts, several mentioned 3/4" kits, yes they are handy.

e always had access to my dads stock of stuff so ive just used as we needed im sure you will pick up what you need as you go, just keep in mind what others have and are using or if you borrow.

 

[Alchymist]

Here's your first job:

 

[64Trvlr]

Here's your first job:

Been there done that, loads of fun. It's even better at night, in the rain, in 12" of water.

 

[sdguy55]

The four way wrenches are great for airlines to

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

 

[greasegorilla]

I found the snap on adjustable wrenches to be quite handy for hydraulic fittings. Part numbers PWZ2 and PWZ3. They also make smaller ones in PWZ1 and PWZ0, but those are a little too small to be very useful. Similiar to a pipe wrench, but much, much better. Just about everyone in my shop had a pair.

Im not usually one to say the higher prices of snap on gives an extremely higher return in product utility, but this is the one thing they make that I would without a doubt say is undervalued for what I got from it.

 

[plinker]

The Wilde prybars at Epsteins (particularly the 12 & 36") are great, 3/4 to 1/2 adapters, heavy duty punches ( I made one out of a dodge 2500 tie rod and it's ideal for many things), Chisels too.

Channel locks BigAZZ adj wrench (8" opens to 1-1/2) is handy for use as a "stubby wrench". Lisle filter strap wrench & Channellock 16" filter pliers are must haves.

A good shop light(s), corded or otherwise, are must have as well. A good varity of hammers is great too.

 

[bobcatdan]

I found the snap on adjustable wrenches to be quite handy for hydraulic fittings. Part numbers PWZ2 and PWZ3. They also make smaller ones in PWZ1 and PWZ0, but those are a little too small to be very useful. Similiar to a pipe wrench, but much, much better. Just about everyone in my shop had a pair.

Im not usually one to say the higher prices of snap on gives an extremely higher return in product utility, but this is the one thing they make that I would without a doubt say is undervalued for what I got from it.

Those pliers are funking awesome

 

[Hammell]

Top of the list is big hammer (sledge), long snipe and of course a torch. Good long pry bars you can hammer on, had a mac set that were good, snap on, mayhew. 3/4 set of sockets. 18 and 24 in cresent wrenches (I use Jet, there good). 3/4 Torque wrench Napa one I got is good. ( Mini screw driver (flat head) I use quite a bit as well as a good pic for orings and such. Long telescoping magnet will retrive the odd wrench or socket you knock down into a belly pan. Spare plugs and caps are great for keeping contaminents out of the hyd system when you replace hoses or need to leave them off for a matter of time. Chunk of telephone wire with thousands of individual coloured wires, great for marking wires, fittings, hoses, again when you take many off at once. muliti colored zap straps do the same. 6 in scraper for cleaning, scraping dirt, garbage out of belly pans that fill up. Lots of stuff to choose from. A decent couple sets of eye protection cant be overlooked.

 

[64Trvlr]

Chunk of telephone wire with thousands of individual coloured wires, great for marking wires, fittings, hoses, again when you take many off at once. muliti colored zap straps do the same.

I sure wish I had thought about that when I was working on equipment. It would have been a real time saver!

A 4 to 6 pound sledge with an 18" handle is a might sweet tool to have.

 

[Provincial]

For your big hammer get at least a 16 lb. sledge. A 24 lb. is better. Remember, with a big hammer you want the hammer to do the work. When you swing it you are not trying to apply the force of your blow to the part, you are controlling the inertia of the hammer head to make sure it hits the part exactly where it needs to, and you are merely setting it in motion and guiding it there! You don't waste your energy on forcing the hammer head to hit harder, because that is why you are using the heavier hammer head.

 

[BullfrogJohnson]

Mac PB series pry bars. My PB22 is one of the most used tools I own. They are hex stock and have zero flex. Angled pry tip on one side and line up stud on the other. Great for installing pita sheet metal.

http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/322604/variantid/313363/Default.aspx

I also use one of these alot. Its a Ken Tool wheel lock ring tool, but it is very handy to pry stuff when you can get enough leverage because of tight spaces with a normal pry bar. The angled head offers a ton of leverage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P6WRIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Alot of misc. hand tools which are nice to have are quality impact swivel sockets, various obstruction wrenches (half moon and S-wrenches) are very helpful when removing hydraulic line flange bolts.

I also use something similar to this a ton. There is nothing worse than spending a day on laying on a set of tall grouser track pads.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008I4XFWU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[pilotman81]

An LED headlamp with adjustable strap is the most used item in my toolbox. If you are working on big things, that usually means big tools that need 2 hands to operate. LED lights with magnetic bases are exceptionally handy as well.

 

[Ironhorse]

Carharts, long underwear...and a large torch set....

 

[Hal]

The VanNatta Brothers logging website has a very good article on equipping a service truck for logging equipment. You won't need it all to start with, but it gives a good overall view of what to expect.

http://www.vannattabros.com/saw51.html

 

[mattmankow]

SO ph3050. Its great at getting stuck hydraulic lines off, you "tap" the hex on the edge of the flat until it loosens. This will usually get the hose loose without cracking the fitting or having to apply heat.

 

[crewchief888]

SO ph3050. Its great at getting stuck hydraulic lines off, you "tap" the hex on the edge of the flat until it loosens. This will usually get the hose loose without cracking the fitting or having to apply heat.

also works very well on hoses/tubelines and fittings where you dont have the access to get full leverage.


long prybar and hammer will achieve the same results in place the air hammer wont fit

 

[Hawk Thor]

I found the snap on adjustable wrenches to be quite handy for hydraulic fittings. Part numbers PWZ2 and PWZ3. They also make smaller ones in PWZ1 and PWZ0, but those are a little too small to be very useful. Similiar to a pipe wrench, but much, much better. Just about everyone in my shop had a pair.

Im not usually one to say the higher prices of snap on gives an extremely higher return in product utility, but this is the one thing they make that I would without a doubt say is undervalued for what I got from it.

We typically call those union pliers, they're so good for pipe unions and fittings. They're very good pipe wrenches as well.

The original Bahco wrench is exactly the same (Minus SO marking and red/green handles) and probably costs less. You can get them with the orange comfort handles, just like the red/green SO handles. I prefer them with them orange painted handles because they are easier to clean, take less room in a toolbox/toolbag and a wrench lock can be used with those.

 

[Rezeppa]

I will second a good air hammer. The best one I have had is my snapon. It has taken many falls from high places and just keeps ticking. Like stated earlier look at what is provided by employer I have worked at places that have 3/4 and higher and I have worked at places that don't provide that. Also look at what caterpillar recommends they aren't far off there catalog gives you basic start up tool sets that cover the basics. http://workshop.catdealer.com/syste...AyXzYyNF9QRUNKMDAwM18wMy5wZGY/PECJ0003-03.pdf

 

[richm]

Diddo on the angle wrenches, picks for o rings and the power grease gun. I use a big chain wrench on big stuck filters and other odd shapes. I would also add slide hammer, gear pullers, liner bars and seal drivers.

 

[littletoes]

The VanNatta Brothers logging website has a very good article on equipping a service truck for logging equipment. You won't need it all to start with, but it gives a good overall view of what to expect.

http://www.vannattabros.com/saw51.html

Wow....that is a great website. Spent some time this morning checking it out. Nice to see someone take so much time, and put so much love into such a sight.

It was so sad to see this;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As some of you may know, I have been fighting Melanoma for some seventeen years. It has finally caught up with me and I have been given just a few months remaining. My intentions are to make this the last update. The Page will remain on the internet for several months and then will be removed. Perhaps some of you may wish to print some of the sections as a matter of historical interest.


I certainly hope the Family keeps the web-page open, and continue it as an on-going work. It was fascinating.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Wow....that is a great website. Spent some time this morning checking it out. Nice to see someone take so much time, and put so much love into such a sight.

It was so sad to see this;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As some of you may know, I have been fighting Melanoma for some seventeen years. It has finally caught up with me and I have been given just a few months remaining. My intentions are to make this the last update. The Page will remain on the internet for several months and then will be removed. Perhaps some of you may wish to print some of the sections as a matter of historical interest.


I certainly hope the Family keeps the web-page open, and continue it as an on-going work. It was fascinating.

I just spent a lot of time on the site too. I did miss the very sad note though.

 

[Lead-Core]

question regarding angle wrenches for most heavy equipment or OTR semis is SAE or MM more common? im assuming SAE for fittings and such. Also crows feet any body got input on sae or mm and what range in sizes is common? (like 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2" drive sets) sorry for all the probably generic questions regarding heavy diesel work...i wanna pursue it as a career but im trying to get a list of tools that i dont have configured so i know what is commonly needed and can have for references. thanks

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Best deal on USA 3/4" Sockets available right now (Missing 1 5/16", 1 1/2" and 1 9/16"):
http://www.cripedistributing.com/kobalt-3-4-drive-14pc-set-sockets-sae-15-16-to-2-12pt-usa-ro.html
Allen USA 1 9/16" 3/4" drive Socket to help complete the set:
http://www.cripedistributing.com/allen-3-4-drive-1-9-16-12pt-socket-usa-13213.html
And a flex bar to go with them:
http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-flex-handle-3-4-x-19-breaker-bar-81404.html

 

[Hammell]

The VanNatta Brothers logging website has a very good article on equipping a service truck for logging equipment. You won't need it all to start with, but it gives a good overall view of what to expect.

http://www.vannattabros.com/saw51.html

Hey , thanks eh. Been reading that stuff for years, couldnt find it for the longest time, love the dozer info. Thanks again.

 

[justanengineer]

Heavy equipment? Start off with the basics - 5, 10, and 20 lb sledges, 6 ft tanker bar, 24 and 36" adjustables, hot wrench, then move onto the "mechanic's" tools.

I think my favorite tool for heavy equipment is either the torque multiplier or porta-power....not sure which tho.