58 Follow us on Twitter @BetterFarmingON Better Farming | November 2023 carried two or three wheel studs in the glove compartment. If I did not break one, the person changing wheels for me would always oblige. ose spares o en saved both time and money. Manual torque wrenches became a much better choice for torquing wheel studs or head bolts. But a follow-up check of a wheel nut torque was and still is advisable. Manual torque wrenches must be turned back (zeroed) when not in use. is practice gives them a more accurate and longer life. The need for torque in wheel studs e correct amount of torque in studs or bolts stretches the shank just enough to prevent it or the nut from coming loose. e wheel torque values are usually given in the operator manuals for all vehicles including tractors. My present Ford Fusion wheel nut torque requirement is 100 lb- using a three-quarter-inch socket. e old wagon wheels did not require a preset torque setting as the rotational direction of the wheel kept the large wheel nuts from coming loose and letting the wheel fall o . Summary We are all driving cars and other vehicles at higher speeds for longer distances. We should recheck the wheel nut torque a er a short test run a er a wheel change. e most ideal time for a torque recheck is a er the seasonal tire change from winter to summer tires or the opposite seasonal change. e life you save just might be your own! BF RALPH WINFIELD Ralph is a retired professional engineer, farmer and technical writer. He has a BSA, BASc, and an MSA in engineering from the University of Toronto. How it Works BOURBONNAIS EQUIPMENT Sars eld • 613-835-2623 G.J.’S HARVEST CENTRE INC. Burgessville • 519-424-9374 Milverton • 519-603-8374 HAWLEY’S GARAGE Belleville • 613-969-5525 J&H SALES & SERVICE Chesley • 519-363-3510 J&J EQUIPMENT REPAIR INC Powassan • 705-724-6565 M&P FARM EQUIPMENT Almonte • 613-253-4957 MARK MCCABE TRACTOR SALES Lindsay • 705-799-2868 PROFOTA’S FARM EQUIPMENT Chatham • 519-354-5100 YURKE SALES & SERVICE Comber • 519-687-2209 Doris Win eld photo This large three-quarter-inch manual torque wrench was used by Win eld Bros Diesel Service in the 1950-1960s for torquing the head bolts on D-8 Caterpillar engines and other two-person torquing tasks. The wrench handle extends for more leverage.
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