Broke 2 Oil filter wrenches

[MHarryE]

You said hydro filter. My Kubota hydros have had 2 filters, hydraulic filter (they've been suction filters) with a lightweight can and the hydro charge filter with a heavy shell can. As the hydraulic suction filter isn't subjected to the same pressure, its not tightened as tight - 1/2 turn per the book. The hydro charge pressure filter can see up to about 500 psi on cold start cold hydraulic oil. The can is heavier, ring on the base heavier, and the book tightening spec is 1 turn. They say in the book a person needs a wrench to get the right torque on the hydro charge filter. The charge filters are always a bear if installed correctly. Fortunately for me, my dad had a water system installation business and needed special tools for accessing various components in tight places and a couple of them worked for me - after learning the first time that automotive wrenches can't do the job. At my plant (Caterpillar), we ran each machine through a test process after assembly. It was probably 2 hours of operation testing flows, pressures, everything you can think of. Procedure at the end of the test was to replace the 2 charge filters. Calibrated torque wrench in each test booth - and audited to make sure process was followed. It took a lot of torque to remove the originals and the installation torque was high. Nothing of which wrenches I see on racks at auto stores are capable.

 

[PILOON]

While on oil change woes.
Lacking proper crush washers I DIY'd my own using poly sheet stock I had on hand.
I own a set of hole cutters and had some 1/8" poly sheet stock so I simply DIY me a new crush washer.
Many hours and no problems.

PS, I now have a 'kit' stock of sizes bought on line.

 

[California]

I just now went looking for the coil filter wrench shown above. The Images part of google search was the only way to distinguish that tool from other unrelated Google hits. There are some Ebay matches but Unitool seems to be the only source for a new one.

New Britain M-150 was an old stock #, now NLA.

 

[Raul-02]

Success. I bought a honkin chain wrench for my 1/2" breaker bar. that did it. Of course I was so into getting the damn thing off I forgot to have the new one ready to go. Why engineers think filters should be at the bottom of a gravity well is beyond me.

 

[Raul-02]

Unitool

that's an interesting wrench.
UNITOOL INC.
I can see how it might be good.

 

[rScotty]

I just now went looking for the coil filter wrench shown above. The Images part of google search was the only way to distinguish that tool from other unrelated Google hits. There are some Ebay matches but Unitool seems to be the only source for a new one.

New Britain M-150 was an old stock #, now NLA.

I think I'm going to try one of those myself. Now to find a good one.

The Kubota hydraulic suction and charge filters are a particular challenge because there is only access to about the bottom third of the filter cannister to grab onto with something like a band or chain style. Those always end up just crushing or collapsing the filter. But there is room alongside the filter to slide something up.

Interestingly I find the same lack of space in Kubota's wiring plugs. Same designer? And there is one manifold/muffler mounting bolt that I still have not figured out how to get a wrench or socket on.

The search is on.
rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Success. I bought a honkin chain wrench for my 1/2" breaker bar. that did it. Of course I was so into getting the damn thing off I forgot to have the new one ready to go. Why engineers think filters should be at the bottom of a gravity well is beyond me.

A chain wrench will move just about anything, although they sure can make a mess of a filter. Not much help in some of the HST+ Kubotas which have too many parts and pieces projecting underneath to swing the leverage required for a chain wrench to do its job.

On the gravity well, it's probably so that they will drain. Pros will slide a container into place, punch a hole in the filter, and come back later.

 

[Alan46]

Success. I bought a honkin chain wrench for my 1/2" breaker bar. that did it. Of course I was so into getting the damn thing off I forgot to have the new one ready to go. Why engineers think filters should be at the bottom of a gravity well is beyond me.

congrats!

 

[rScotty]

SNIP
Below is a hyperlink to a supplier. I have never used this supplier but I did find the link why searching for a picture of the coil wrench.

BTW: Don't let the neighbors borrow it, you may never see it again...LOL

Unitool | Outils automobiles professionnels

Outils de première qualité, innovants et durables. 50 ans d'expertise. Fièrement canadien. Plus de 1500 produits conçus pour durer.

www.unitool.com

I had a thought...why don't I measure my Kubota oil filters before ordering the UNITOOL Coil Spring Type Filter Wrench?

So I did. Uh-oh....The coil spring says it is for 3" size filters. All of the Kubota filters are over that. Suction, HST, and engine oil all ranging from 3.6 to 3.725 inches.
rScotty

 

[Raul-02]

why don't I measure

good thought. My hydro filter is 4.250" in whatever screwed up metric is closest