Wrench?

What size wrench do I need to replace the fan belt on my '48 Super A?

Vern

how old are you?

Are you serious? I am not being a smart a$$ here but a wrench set can be bought a Wal-Mart, Harbor Freight, ect for $10. If you do not have a wrench to fit the nessecary parts to change the fan belt on a SA, maybe you need to sell the SA to some one who can change the belt.

Charles

Vern: You actually need 3-5 wrenches. Could be a mix of 1/2" and 9/16" to loosen the generator, you'll actually need two wrenches. Then fan hub is 7/8" and 15/16", and someone may have changed that 15/16" to 7/8" thus requiring two 7/8" wrenches. Regardless of change one of the 7/8" must be open end wrench. Good idea to put some penetrating oil on those bolts 2-3 days in advance.

If you need more help don't hesitate to e mail me. These often don't come easy if it's been a few years since they have been apart.

Probably 7/8 like Hugh says. But the wrench has to be thin enough to fit between the pulley and the bracket. many of the Chinese wrenches are too thick.

I gotta believe that with 600-some posts on here Vern, that you aren't asking what size wrench because you don't have wrenches.

You're asking what size because you've tried all the wrenches you have and none fit. Right?

You should have mentioned that in your post. Crucial details like that avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Now you're mad because a few people berated you for not knowing how to use a simple wrench. They got mad because you portrayed yourself as someone who did not know how to use a simple wrench. Everybody's mad, for no reason, and your question has not been answered.

Well, the wrenches don't fit because someone rounded the corners off whatever nut you're trying to turn. This is either because the nut is rusted on to the bolt, or because someone used the wrong wrench.

You've got options here.
1. A metric wrench may fit and grip the nut.
2. A pair of 10" vise grips will clamp the nut, and you may be able to remove it.

If the nut is rusted, spray it with PB Blaster every day for a week, then try the vise grips.

It may require a torch to heat the nut in order to remove it.

Regardless, replace the nut when you do get it off.

MKirsch: Your a good one to be questioning other folks advice? I've removed a couple dozen of these lifetime and vice grips are a nono on that shaft nut. It is part of the shaft, and you can't buy it anymore. Metric wrench maybe. Cowman made a good point regarding a slim enough wrench to fit the 7/8" shaft nut on front side of adjustment slide.

I might add, I've never had to use heat on these, and one shouldn't, not good for fan hub. Good penetrating oil on the back nut, then try turning that back nut, doing nothing more than hold with front wrench. I know that back nut if 15/16" fits snug in groove that is supposed to hold it from turning, but most of them have corners off by now, and you can turn it. I always replace that 15/16" nut with a 7/8" wrench size nut.

I might add, I know that 4 of the tractors I've worked on have the original fan shaft and all are over 50 years old. Two are my own tractors, and the other two are tractors of friends that I gave instruction. If he starts using your principles, he'll be due for one of those new $168. fans PDQ. I might add it's never taken me more than 1/2 hour to remove one of those, provided penetrating was used two days in advance. I also invited him to e mail me, should he have problems.

Vern,Just replaced a belt on a super A tractor yesterday.The rear nut held in the groove and a 13/16 open end fit and turned the front one.

Good Mornin Hugh,
Your right ! My 60 year old Super A still has the original hub and is working fine. I occassionally add a bit of oil in the hub !

scotty

Hugh is sort of on it when he says a fistful.

The spindle takes a 13/16". Couldn't tell you why, they shouldn't be any different, but my SuperC it takes a tappet wrench to get into it -- the gap is too narrow for my regular Craftsmans or an adjustable. On my BN, a regular 13/16" works just fine. On that basis, Id say start with the thinnest profile 13/16" you have. Tappet wrenches in general aren't that hard to find but 13/16 seem to be a rarity. IIRC, Craftsman's professional series have a thinner profile than their standard combination wrenches and something like them may do the trick if you can't get one of your regular wrenches in there.

The nut on the back could be either 15/16" or 7/8", hex or square, and is apt to be rounded off, but it should hold in the notch until you get the spindle turning, and there shouldn't be much need to get a wrench on it until the spindle is loose enough for it to back the nut off to where you can get a wrench on.

(quoted from post at 08:15:15 01/18/09) MKirsch: Your a good one to be questioning other folks advice?

Click to expand...

Where am I questioning anyone's advice, let alone yours?

If somebody rounded the bolt off in the past, and a regular wrench won't fit anymore, what else can you do? You get it out with whatever will get it out, then replace it....

That is EXACTLY what I said, and ALL I said. I questioned NOTHING.

trial and eror, if one don't fit grab another one.one or two of the bolts could have been replaced at one time and could be a different size than the other ones or different from other peoples tractors. good luck.

-Randy-

Scotty: My spindles actually take 7/8" wrench, I remember that as I have an oddball 7/8" wrench thin enough to get in there.

Well that's one more for the fistful I guess! ;8^)