Cat hydraulic wrench

[strik9]

My job today was to make a wrench to disassemble Cat hydraulics.  Mainly  the big ones on the backhoe tail. 

  I started with a high tech autocad program and all my education in advanced engineering.

   I made cardboard templates.

[strik9]

From there brainstormed with the boss on his needs and uses.  Found the gas axe and a grinder plus some heavy steel plate.  3/4" mild for the handle and high temper wear plate for the hook.

   Burned all the hair off one hand and deafened myself completely for three hours and then spraybombed this black.

[strik9]

The bossman is jazzed he now has a 500 dollar tool for three hours of peon wages .  He came out way ahead.

   It is 32" long and will take a 6.5" Cat cylinder cap firmly.  Weight is atrocious and the two regular workers who will have to use it will hate me forever.

[gtermini]

Looks like it works like a champ!

Greyson

[strik9]

Its a solution to an old problem.  He cannot find this wrench in a factory made version.  If it were made it would cost two firstborn children. 

   Monkeys like me are far cheaper and he designs it for the most part.  I won't be here when it sees first use but I made it look good and solid as I could to make sure the do not curse me forever.  They are my friends after all.

[DeadNutz]

Nice work on that Brian. I'm sure the heavy weight on that will be a plus.

[J.A.F.E.]

Looks good from here.

[strik9]

He painted the working end Cat yellow and declared it reserved for newer undamaged units.  I think he likes it a lot.

[J.A.F.E.]

Black and yellow it'll look like a big bee.

[hickory n Steel]

Black and yellow it'll look like a big bee.

Or a fierce wasp.

Great gob on that tool, the extra beef and weight would no doubt be beneficial if the body is mild steel.

[skfarmer]

Hey didint get a chance to read, only look at pics. I assume that is for opening those stubburn red cola bottle caps . Right? 

[bonneyman]

The bossman is jazzed he now has a 500 dollar tool for three hours of peon wages .  He came out way ahead.

Ain't that how it always is?

Looks good, though. 

[strik9]

Hey didint get a chance to read, only look at pics. I assume that is for opening those stubburn red cola bottle caps . Right? 

The Red Cola bottles are closed up pretty tight.  This will make it easier.

   Worst part, no damn hang tag!  How are we supposed to know the COO?   DAMMIT....

[strik9]

Last week it got the first use.  I was not there.  A happy un injured ex boss reported two burly men and a 10' cheater pipe only managed to loosen the gland nut.    No damages to men or machine.

   We shall call that success.  The temper of the steel in the old wear plate was right for making a good hook.  Very critical part.

[muddy]

If it's heavy it's good!

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

[fatfillup]

I must have missed this the first time through.  I assume you made this during the week you worked for Caesar?

Using the wear plate was smart.  When I first saw the design, I was wondering what you were going to use to make the hook.

Well done

[strik9]

From experience with the crew there I know abuse, huge cheater pipes and misuse are going to be regular.

   And they are friends.  No half assed shit is acceptable.  Then I have to work with what is in the shop (thankfully he has tons of crap everywhere) to make a tool that HAS to support three men on a 10' cheater pipe of 4" heavy iron...

     I went straight for the biggest stuff there.  Cardboard CAD can make the form but materials are very critical.  I had only experience to go on.  Make it too big.  Lol!

  Overkill saves life and limb in dangerous sports like heavy equiptment repair.

[J.A.F.E.]

How often will it see use do you think?

[strik9]

I honestly cannot guess but it will be several times a month.  Cat backhoes are quite popular now.

   Imagine hucking that around in a mobile kit. 

[J.A.F.E.]

...   Imagine hucking that around in a mobile kit. 

I imagine it's not the most portable piece.