MX5400 socket size advice needed

[Peter 315]

Might as well get this one ............Great deal on Sunex Tools 2669 at ToolTopia.com

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I have an MX and I haven't run into any problems I can't handle yet. But, I've got less than 200 hours on it. My suggestion is to have a common imperial and metric 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch socket set for general wrenching. Then, just buy what you need individually above that. I'm not picky about brands. The chinese stuff has really picked up their game in the last decade.

You are going to need a 1/2 " breaker bar too. I get single sockets at auto zone for about $8 each or so. Lowes is similar when they have what in want.

The basic tractor is metric. The loader and backhoe could be imperial as they are US made, I've not needed to find out.

Hydraulics are a mixed bag. JIC fittings have imperial threads, but that doesn't mean the wrenching flats are.

Basically just be prepared for anything.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Might as well get this one ............Great deal on Sunex Tools 2669 at ToolTopia.com

Thanks, but it's missing the 29mm which I suspect is a key one for me (for some ~1&1/8" nuts).

I'll probably just go for one of the sets I linked with all (larger) sizes to 36mm, unless I cheap out and just order the individual sockets.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I have an MX and I haven't run into any problems I can't handle yet. But, I've got less than 200 hours on it. My suggestion is to have a common imperial and metric 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch socket set for general wrenching. Then, just buy what you need individually above that. I'm not picky about brands. The chinese stuff has really picked up their game in the last decade.

You are going to need a 1/2 " breaker bar too. I get single sockets at auto zone for about $8 each or so. Lowes is similar when they have what in want.

The basic tractor is metric. The loader and backhoe could be imperial as they are US made, I've not needed to find out.

Hydraulics are a mixed bag. JIC fittings have imperial threads, but that doesn't mean the wrenching flats are.

Basically just be prepared for anything.

My measurements show the loader bolts to be the same size as the tire nuts, ~1", so presumably 25mm (or is it 26mm?) is what I need.

I have metric+sae for small stuff on my 3/8 driver set, but pretty much all the "check every 10 hours" and other maintenance bolts on the 5400 and attachments seem to be a minimum of 1" wide.

One more round with the calipers this weekend before I order.

Do you typically use your breaker bar more more for loosening or tightening? Do you also own/use an impact driver?

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

My measurements show the loader bolts to be the same size as the tire nuts, ~1", so presumably 25mm (or is it 26mm?) is what I need.

I have metric+sae for small stuff on my 3/8 driver set, but pretty much all the "check every 10 hours" and other maintenance bolts on the 5400 and attachments seem to be a minimum of 1" wide.

One more round with the calipers this weekend before I order.

Do you typically use your breaker bar more more for loosening or tightening? Do you also own/use an impact driver?

I'll go check a few bolts. Breaker bars are for removal. You shouldn't need it to install, but sometimes you just got to do what's necessary to get the job done. Also, sockets aren't only tools. Wrenches are required. Combination wrenches to start with. I like the new ratcheting wrenches too, but they won't do everything.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I'll go check a few bolts. Breaker bars are for removal. You shouldn't need it to install, but sometimes you just got to do what's necessary to get the job done. Also, sockets aren't only tools. Wrenches are required. Combination wrenches to start with. I like the new ratcheting wrenches too, but they won't do everything.

Yeah, I have ratcheting combo wrenches (if that's a thing) in small sizes. All these tools, great for, say, tightening down a toilet bowl, all useless for this tractor. So I'm trying to make sure I don't go off half-assed buying new ones, I think I've already delayed my retirement enough just buying the tractor, attachments, and no doubt other potential unplanned things like a new tractor friendly barn.

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a Proto set....10mm-36mm. Not a bad price for what you get. I have the 2nd set...made in usa

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-J54212XL-2-Inch-29-Piece/dp/B00BU4RTFE

PROTO 1'/'2"Drive Metric Chrome Socket Wrench Set, Number of Pieces':' 29 - 5NAX4'|'J54212XL - Grainger

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Yeah, I have ratcheting combo wrenches (if that's a thing) in small sizes. All these tools, all useless for this tractor. So I'm trying to make sure I don't go off half-assed buying new ones, I think I've already delayed my retirement enough just buying the tractor, attachments, and no doubt other potential unplanned things like a new tractor friendly barn.

That's funny, I bought my tractor to support the retirement I was just going into.

OK, here we go: I saw no fittings on the tractor for any general maintenance larger than an imperial 15/16. That would be 24 mm, but I don't own a 24 mm socket. The rear lug nuts and the loader frame are 24mm. The front lug nuts are 22mm. Regular sockets fit fine, no need for deep sockets and definitely not a full set if you are low on funds. 6 point 15/16 and 7/8 will get you by on the lugs and loader frame, but I'd get the metric anyway (speaking as a guy who had not done that yet. ) 6 point sockets are stronger, but more importantly, are less likely to round off a nut especially when using imperial on metric and vice-versa. Given your position, I'd get a decent quality 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch metric set of standard depth sockets to start with and supplement with individual sockets as needed. If you will look at your loader frame bolts, you will see they are stamped "8.8" on their heads. That is a metric standard for a high strength bolt. The 8.8 is roughly equivalent to a grade 5 imperial bolt.

I cannot speak to land pride attachments. But, if made off shore, they will likely be metric for the most part. Certain things like lift pins may not as they must meet the imperial standard on the non-threaded end. Of course, they could be imperial pins with metric threads too.

Relative to being completely prepared for any maintenance, I'd not worry too much about it. Get enough stuff to get through your 50 hour for now. I'd get a metric wrench set before going hog wild on sockets.

 

[sea2summit]

Do you typically use your breaker bar more more for loosening or tightening? Do you also own/use an impact driver?

I have no idea how I survived so long without an impact driver!

However, there are many things that will break if you hit them with an impact driver. One that instantly comes to mind because I just replaced them all, are frame mounting bolts on a truck which just bolt into a plate held in place by three-four metal tabs. If you bust one of those plates loose you're gonna have a **** of a time pulling stuff apart to access that plate. My rule is I don't hit it with the impact driver unless I know what is on both sides and can access or repair it from the side I'm wrenching on.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Forgot to add...Top link nut. Just get a large adjustable wrench. It will be real handy. My big one is Harbor Freight. On big nuts accuracy isn't a large concern, so it works fine. I mostly use it on hitch balls.To be fair, excepting my big adjustable, all my other ones have just been found. I have no clue the brands on them.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I have to ask, why the f*ck aren't the parts we're all talking about spec'ed in the owners manual? If I buy this parts manual will it specify all the bolt sizes? Kubota: M47??/M54?? Parts Manual, Part # 97898-21753

Seems crazy that we're all here comparing measurements, it ought to be readily available to us in product documentation. A bit frustrating. Or did I miss it in my owner manuals? I don't think I did.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

No different than Ford or Chevy. No, it won't be there either. And I'm not sure that is correct manual.

 

[Peter 315]

Its like nuts and bolts I have draws full but never the right ones........ Some of the sockets you will never use and some you will wear out....................

 

[Agvg]

I have to ask, why the f*ck aren't the parts we're all talking about spec'ed in the owners manual? If I buy this parts manual will it specify all the bolt sizes? Kubota: M47??/M54?? Parts Manual, Part # 97898-21753

Seems crazy that we're all here comparing measurements, it ought to be readily available to us in product documentation. A bit frustrating. Or did I miss it in my owner manuals? I don't think I did.

Proper made manuals have that, on bolts, washers and everything is specified, even by which DIN/ISO standard the parts are made.

Unfortunately so are the goal today to bring revenue to the dealers, it should be mandatory to make all parts and service information available for free, it has zero cost for the manufacturer.

And for metric bolts it's diameter and length, pitch is only given if it's not a standard bolt, and of course quality, 4.6, 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Well, after due consideration I'm forced to conclude Kubota must own some manufacturer of sockets and wrenches.

I put the battery into my calipers so I could get the digital readouts, of course even a slight shift in my hand while measuring changes the readout, but the sizes of bolts are clearly all over the place.

Most of the stuff I measured on the tractor looks metric, as expected. Except .. the ROPS bolts (where you fold it down) are about 1 inch exactly. 25.4mm.

The many big loader bolts, attaching to various parts of the tractor frame all say "JDF 8.8", 8.8 being a metric standard, and measure about 24mm, +/- about 0.25 in my flaky measurements.

The wheel bolts are ~24.5mm And have a big old "7" on the head with no other identifying indicators. No SAE ticks. And I don't know what "7" matches to on metric charts or if it's a metric bolt at all.

The nut on the toplink measures at 32.59mm.

Looking at some of my land pride implements, the grapple has an 18.93mm bolt on it, that's close to a 3/4 inch size at 19.05mm.

The brush hog has:

• A 28.65mm bolt just under where the top link would attach. 1&1/8?
• A 29.34mm bolt just forward of that near-toplink bolt, so ... 1&3/16?
• A 23.9mm bolt near the lower 3ph link poinrts, so ... 15/16?
• The bolts holding the gearbox lid on look about 15.91mm, fit a 5/8 inch socket reasonably well
• If I look at the laminated wheel bolkts which several sizes, the smallest are 13.52mm, fits a 14mm socket slightly loosely, and a 9/16 socket more loosely, but chances are the whole tire is from some far off (metric) point of origin.

I couldn't test any actual sockets with the bigger bolts, because I don't have any!

Between the fact that I have 3 land pride attachments and the crazy mix of sockets even on the tractor+rops+tires, I guess I'm feeling forced to get SAE and Metric sizes.
And I'm definitely a bit put out that there isn't a easily accessible document that lists all these parts so I don't have to guess at it with my rather lame measurements. I may need to spent more on this forum too, clearly other Kubota owners wrestle with this. All metric ? - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Nobody "wrestles" with this. Its just part of life and easily worked with. I'd quit trying to optimize down to a gnats butt. You are in the mode of analysis paralysis. I know this mode well. As you have observed, bolt heads are slightly undersized so a wrench fits on them. If that brush hog is made in the USA, you likely have imperial fasteners. If off-shore, 100% its metric. A lot of the things you are measuring you won't need to touch for years, if ever. Quit worrying about them. Get tools for them when you need them.

I don't recall if you said you had much in the way of tools, but really, just start out with metric and imperial socket sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. Get a few extra extensions in a foot or so so you can reach bolts from far away. Especially for getting to the rear lug nuts. Can't swing a breaker bar or torque wrench from inside the wheel easily.

Then, buy what you need. Quit fretting about it and move on. It's not good for your well being to make more of this than there is.

Also, at best, a parts breakdown would tell you that something like your loader frame bolts are 16mm. That would be the thread size. You still have to know that it is standard to use a 24mm head on such a bolt. (You can get such a look-up table on-line.) Even then, its not an absolute requirement for bolts to conform to the head standard.

Impact wrench: A nice to have. It is absolutely not necessary. I have an air gun as well as a couple of battery powered ones. They are nice, but not essential. Most of your maintenance is one or two bolts so they aren't much help. You aren't going to be changing tires on that tractor for many years, so no help there.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Nobody "wrestles" with this. Its just part of life and easily worked with. I'd quit trying to optimize down to a gnats butt. You are in the mode of analysis paralysis. I know this mode well. As you have observed, bolt heads are slightly undersized so a wrench fits on them. If that brush hog is made in the USA, you likely have imperial fasteners. If off-shore, 100% its metric. A lot of the things you are measuring you won't need to touch for years, if ever. Quit worrying about them. Get tools for them when you need them.

I don't recall if you said you had much in the way of tools, but really, just start out with metric and imperial socket sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. Get a few extra extensions in a foot or so so you can reach bolts from far away. Especially for getting to the rear lug nuts. Can't swing a breaker bar or torque wrench from inside the wheel easily.

Then, buy what you need. Quit fretting about it and move on. It's not good for your well being to make more of this than there is.

Also, at best, a parts breakdown would tell you that something like your loader frame bolts are 16mm. That would be the thread size. You still have to know that it is standard to use a 24mm head on such a bolt. (You can get such a look-up table on-line.) Even then, its not an absolute requirement for bolts to conform to the head standard.

Impact wrench: A nice to have. It is absolutely not necessary. I have an air gun as well as a couple of battery powered ones. They are nice, but not essential. Most of your maintenance is one or two bolts so they aren't much help. You aren't going to be changing tires on that tractor for many years, so no help there.

True, I analyze all purchases to death, it's in my nature. Meanwhile SAE and metric sockets and all assorted paraphernalia are on order now, including a bigger adjustable wrench, since my old 10" ones will not handle that toplink nut. I ordered the 84 piece Tekton set from Home Depot for $199, which was quite a bit cheaper than amazon. It should cover most foreseeable size needs unless I do blade changes on the rotary cutter, but I'll need a much bigger torque wrench for that anyway, so ... different tools. I'm not worried about the tool quality too much, should meet my minimal needs. What I hate is not having the right size tool for the job, and this should cover that. Has metric to 32mm (without skipping sizes, which a lot of sets do - particularly the 25/26/29 sizes I wanted), SAE to 1 5/16, deep and shallow. Definitely shotgun shopping, but the cost isn't horrible.

Thanks all for the advice. Time to grease up and go grapple something outside in just-got-sunny weather

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Ooooh! Grappling. My favorite thing to do on the tractor.

 

[Egon]

Okay: try a pipe wrench! It will alleviate your size conumbdrum!

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Okay: try a pipe wrench! It will alleviate your size conumbdrum!

Heh, I was definitely at the stuck toplink nut today with a pipe wrench, using a latex coated glove in between to avoid scratching the paint. Got it unstuck, but took about 4 tries to get the glove+wrench fit right and get the nut loose.