1st torque wrench! Deciding on bolt torque?

[Mossy dell]

This embarrasses me, but I'm fixin' to buy my first torque wrench. And this isn't my first tractor!? I guess owning a torque wrench and torquing bolts to spec seemed so far beyond me at first . . . and then it was something I didn't do.

I have two questions:

1. Since there will be error involved—wrench and mine—what is the safest or optimum tightness to pick? For example, my B2601 rear wheels specify for a range of 107 – 110.6 foot lbs. So 108 or what?​

​

2. Does one set the wrench first, and then when using it the first click as it's tightening marks the set torque?​

Thanks for any instruction!

 

[Tughill Tom]

108 lb ft will work. Always set the wrench to the amount required and tighten until it clicks and your done.
Always set the wrench back to zero when you put it away.

 

[Oliver]

That's what I do set to around the middle of the range, and after it clicks release pressure then click a second time. One thing to be careful of is if there is any grease or oil on threads the applied torque will be considerably too tight and may well strip, *unless* it's specified to oil the threads. Oil drain plugs are a good example the torque is usually spec'd dry but that only happens during assembly, obviously after draining oil the oil pan threads and bolt are lubricated. After stripping two drain plugs (one on a motorcycle and one on a car) years ago a mechanic explained this to me.

 

[TheOldHokie]

This embarrasses me, but I'm fixin' to buy my first torque wrench. And this isn't my first tractor!? I guess owning a torque wrench and torquing bolts to spec seemed so far beyond me at first . . . and then it was something I didn't do.

I have two questions:

1. Since there will be error involved—wrench and mine—what is the safest or optimum tightness to pick? For example, my B2601 rear wheels specify for a range of 107 – 110.6 foot lbs. So 108 or what?​

​

2. Does one set the wrench first, and then when using it the first click as it's tightening marks the set torque?​

Thanks for any instruction!

The geeky answer:

1. A decent torque wrench will have an error margin of roughly 10%.
2. The frictional error in the actual joint is probably that much as well.
3. Design torque is generally 80% of proof load.

If you set the wrench to mid range you will be in the ballpark. As mentioned torque specifications assume a specific condition for the threads - e.g. lubricated vs. dry vs. plated. Make sure you know what condition matches your torque. specification and make sure the threads are in that condition.

Sliding friction is less than static friction so to get a reliable reading always turn the fastener in a continuous motion until it clicks. You are done.

Dan

 

[Mossy dell]

Thanks, Guys. Really helpful info and tips!

 

[Elliott in GA]

When you are done with the wrench, set it to the manufacturers recommended setting - it usually is not zero. Most wrenches should be stored with some pressure on the spring - again check your manufacturer's recommendation.

Also, you can use a torque wrench to loosen, if the force is not more than what the wrench is rated as maximum torque.

See all of the tips in the link. Norbar is a leader in torque tools.

The ten things you should know about your torque wrench

Torque wrenches are common place across a variety of industrial processes, commercial garages and even homes wherever there is a precision assembly process utilising threaded fasteners. Considering their widespread use however, there remains a number

www.norbar.com

 

[JimmyJazz]

I have never owned a torque wrench. Can someone recommend one that is no too pricey for use on my B2601? Thanks.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have never owned a torque wrench. Can someone recommend one that is no too pricey for use on my B2601? Thanks.

Tekton - they are available direct and through big box stores like Home Depot. All of their products are made in the USA or Taiwan. I bought a Tekton torque wrench and Tekton large metric/standard sockets for my Kubota.

About Us | TEKTON Hand Tools

We are a family-owned hand tool company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We work hard, think precisely, and question convention to provide you the hand tools we would want to use ourselves.

www.tekton.com

I bought the 25-250 lbs. 1/2 inch drive torque wrench for about $70.

 

[lugbolt]

having done dealer work in the past, and watched some other techs, you'd be absolutely astonished how many of them use a torque wrench. Or more specifically how many don't use them. But--in their defense, when they're working on flat rate, there ain't no time.

 

[lynnmor]

I have never owned a torque wrench. Can someone recommend one that is no too pricey for use on my B2601? Thanks.

While some may laugh at buying Harbor Freight tools, their torque wrenches are good enough. I have seen videos of the cheapest and the Icon brand and they are fine. Here is one video.

 

[Elliott in GA]

While some may laugh at buying Harbor Freight tools, their torque wrenches are good enough. I have seen videos of the cheapest and the Icon brand and they are fine. Here is one video.

FWIW, Tekton are significantly less expensive, and they are made in democratic Taiwan versus China (for those that care where something is made).

 

[GeoHorn]

I really like Hokies’ post…but sir, I”ve never seen any torque wrench whose mfr’r claims 10% accuracy. Each one I’ve owned or seen in-use were in the 2-3% accuracy range. (The industry with which I’m most familiar is aircraft, where regular calibration-checks are mandatory, but got my start with auto dealershps.)

Just for fun, I took a cheap set of HF wrenches to the airport to use the calibration service and found them to be within their claimed 2%. Those HF wrenches are 15 yrs old and stored set at zero. My 40 yr old Snap-On required adjustment.

Also, I have two of the old style “pointer” wrenches and I prefer them when setting things such as bearing preload in differentials, transmissions, etc. (typically in the inch-lb ranges.)
.

 

[mikester]

Are you using dry torque or wet torque specs?

 

[GeoHorn]

I’m pleased to see Mossy used a “Southern” colloquialism when he wrote “I’m fixin’ to….”. perform some act. Our friends from Kenya (where English is the national language) were quite amused to hear this sort of thing and we had to explain that it means “I am preparing to…”.

 

[Fordtech86]

(Me putting on my nomex suit….)

have an assortment of click type wrenches buried in the toolbox somewhere.

My go to’s

Snap-on System Upgrade

3/8" DRIVE FLEX HEAD ELECTRONIC TORQUE WRENCH 10-100 FT. LBS. WITH ANGLE ETWB100FKB | Matco Tools

www.matcotools.com

1/4" DRIVE FLEX HEAD ELECTRONIC TORQUE WRENCH 1-20 FT. LBS. WITH ANGLE ETWA20FKB | Matco Tools

www.matcotools.com

5:1 torque multiplier

Got the bota pretty well covered

(still don’t have that electric can opener though )

 

[greg86z28]

I'm a DIY mechanic. I like maintain our cars and tractor stuff (compact utility tractor and lawn and garden).

In my 15 years of tinkering, I've found that my 2 torque wrenches have suited me pretty well for all the basic stuff I've done (suspension work, engine work - heads, cam, etc). I have a 3/8" drive which goes up to about 80 ft-lbs and a 1/2" drive which goes up to 130 ft-lbs I believe. Both of mine are older (early 2000s) Craftsman units.

For things that are below the lower threshold on the 3/8" drive I usually just do it by feel. I'm not doing any super critical work.

 

[TheOldHokie]

This embarrasses me, but I'm fixin' to buy my first torque wrench. And this isn't my first tractor!? I guess owning a torque wrench and torquing bolts to spec seemed so far beyond me at first . . . and then it was something I didn't do.

I have two questions:

1. Since there will be error involved—wrench and mine—what is the safest or optimum tightness to pick? For example, my B2601 rear wheels specify for a range of 107 – 110.6 foot lbs. So 108 or what?​

​

2. Does one set the wrench first, and then when using it the first click as it's tightening marks the set torque?​

Thanks for any instruction!

I own three torque wrenches and they get scant use. One is a 3/8" beam Pep Boys wrench, the second an old 1/2" micrometer Craftsman clicker that is a piece of junk, and this one. It is a "premium" split beam wrench made by CDI (aka SnapOn). It only works for tightening and has a torque range of 40-250 lb-ft and an accuracy of +/- 4% over the range 50-250. I seldom use it - engine building and alloy wheel lugnuts being the main use. It has no spring and maintains calibration well. You can store it set anywhere in the range. It is worth every penny I paid for it.

Dan

 

[fried1765]

FWIW, Tekton are significantly less expensive, and they are made in democratic Taiwan versus China (for those that care where something is made).

Yes!
Taiwan is a wonderful free little Democratic "country", and their product quality control is very good.
Been there a few times!

 

[Mossy dell]

I got my torque wrench and checked wheel and loader bolts, discovering that there's a missing bolt on the right side of my loader frame. My dealer said the forward stud, which in the photo looks just below the fuel filter, is also out of place and should be further aft.

This is the third setup issue with my tractor and by far the most serious. These are loader frame bolts that attach to the tractor's frame! Thankfully my local dealer immediately came and got my tractor—their headquarters store a couple hours north sold and did setup.

The other thing I found is that all of the rear wheel bolts and most of the front wheel bolts would not budge. So they are tight but apparently over-tightened. I don't know what, if anything, to do about this.

 

[Mossy dell]

Are you using dry torque or wet torque specs?

Not sure if you asked this of me. But I assume dry specs are given in the Kubota and loader manuals.