Advice on tools (socket set) needed for servicing L3901

[matR]

I am a neophyte owner of a L3901.
I want to do my own service and repair work (within reason).
I need to buy a large-size socket set.

Questions:
Are all the bolts/nuts on this tractor and LandPride mover going to be metric?
What range of sockets sizes would I need (I already have a large set but the max size is 20 MM and 1 inch).
Should I get a 1/2 inch drive or 3/4 inch drive?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jim L.]

Expect most to be metric. You may use some attachments that could have SAE english.

Over 24mm would be wheels. Check on the size of those guys and you can get other ones later if needed.

You may need a deep socket for glow plugs. Check the Workshop Manual to find out.

 

[Tughill Tom]

I am a neophyte owner of a L3901.
I want to do my own service and repair work (within reason).
I need to buy a large-size socket set.

Questions:
Are all the bolts/nuts on this tractor and LandPride mover going to be metric?
What range of sockets sizes would I need (I already have a large set but the max size is 20 MM and 1 inch).
Should I get a 1/2 inch drive or 3/4 inch drive?

Thanks in advance

Go with 1/2" with a good size breaker bar, if you need to go up to 3/4" socket you can use a reducer to get the big ones loose.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

There really isn't that many large nuts and bolts on there that requires buying a whole set.
Most service items will require only normal tools to take care of it.

 

[mikester]

I am a neophyte owner of a L3901.
I want to do my own service and repair work (within reason).
I need to buy a large-size socket set.

Questions:
Are all the bolts/nuts on this tractor and LandPride mover going to be metric?
What range of sockets sizes would I need (I already have a large set but the max size is 20 MM and 1 inch).
Should I get a 1/2 inch drive or 3/4 inch drive?

Thanks in advance

If you have to ask these questions then you are not likely going to ever use these tools. Buy a set of 1/2” sockets and take your tractor to the dealer for repairs

 

[D2Cat]

If you have to ask these questions then you are not likely going to ever use these tools. Buy a set of 1/2” sockets and take your tractor to the dealer for repairs

If your advise is to take the tractor to the dealer for repairs why would you suggest buying a 1/2" socket set?

The OP was asking for advise, admitting he was new. People have to start somewhere. Your comment is condescending.

My suggestion to the OP would be to not buy any tools until you need one. A socket may be the last thing you'd use. You many need a test light or a wire battery brush first! An inexpensive metric combination wrench set going up to 19mm will go a long ways in any simple "tune ups". And you can get one at Harbor Freight for about $10.

 

[MilkyWay]

Welcome to the forum matR! You have stumbled (?) onto the best possible Kubota equipment site imo. A lot of friendly, helpful talent is here for your use. If you look at peoples info, to the left underneath their name and you see they have like a brazillion posts, then you can trust what they tell you. I will take very mild exception to one comment sort of implied earlier. Do not buy the cheapest (read china made) tools you can find. You aren't going to switch to tractor wrenching as your main livelihood so you won't need pro-grade, but get good stuff and nothing will break before even finishing the first job.

 

[skeets]

mikester that was bloody cold mate !! The man is asking for help and direction, and thats why this place is here. Answers like that are,,, wellll unhelpful at best

 

[sheepfarmer]

Welcome, and here is my perspective: it sounds like you have some sockets already and probably some box wrenches too. I am a fairly ancient lady, and do rely on the dealer for a lot of things. But sometimes you just need the right tool for the job and then it is easy. If your collection is largely SAE or non metric, check out the conversion tables, there are a few sizes that are close enough to use on metrics. Your owner's manual or the shop manual may give you some hints about bolt sizes for the common service points like the fill for the front axle fluid, and some of these bolts are model dependent eg bigger tractors have bigger bolts. If not when you get your tractor, go through the service manual and find the common points. Most of them are less than 21mm I would guess. In the really big sizes just buy the one. Although I confess to standing in TSC and looking at their cheap sets of giant sockets, you know just in case..... And then there was the time I went in to Sears for vacuum cleaner bags and they were near the tool section so I came out with a nice breaker bar....I don't use it a lot, but it helps me.

 

[85Hokie]

I am a fairly ancient lady,

Sheep ....you ain't ancient .....you are just more experienced than most!!!!

 

[Beaudeane]

Go to a local harbor freight and get u a couple sets of metric sockets. I think I’ve used up to a 27mm doing a service on a 3130. Get 1/2 inch drive sets. Harbor is cheaper than most anywhere else and their tools will last to do what u are wanting to do. I think most everything on my Kubota is metric. Land pride may be sae but unsure on that. Get sockets and or wrenches from really small to bigger than the 27mm I mentioned, in sets. The one time u need the one u don’t have, it woulda been worth buying the set with it rather than waiting till next day when a store opens u can get it at. The sockets and wrenches u use on ur tractor will work on plenty of other stuff too. Of course the 1/2 drive won’t be the really small sockets like front axle fill plug, so plan for that. I’d bet they sell a set pretty cheap with 1/4, 3/8 and half drive to cover the whole tractor that won’t break the bank. Good luck and remember, this ain’t rocket science, it’s just twisting wrenches

 

[mikester]

mikester that was bloody cold mate !! The man is asking for help and direction, and thats why this place is here. Answers like that are,,, wellll unhelpful at best

Maybe I am misunderstanding the OP....if he said something like "is it worth spending $$$ on a 3/4" or 1" drive socket set to do some repairs like removing wheels or am I better off just buying individual extra large sockets for my 1/2 set" my answer would be to buy the individual large 1/2" sockets. If you also do lots of R&M on your bulldozer and 20 ton truck then get the 1" drive set.

Buying a complete Snap-on set won't make you a mechanic. If the OP doesn't know what size sockets he needs then get a shop manual.

The best advise I'd give the OP is to find a gear-head neighbour or buddy and hang out. Bring beer. Ask lots of questions. Get your hands dirty. Makes more sense to me than posting on the internet and asking for tool advise on 1/2 or 3/4 drive if you don't know the difference.

 

[bearbait]

Welcome to the forum matR. A 1/2 inch drive will be more than enough. Best advice I can give is don't buy the most expensive but also don't buy the cheapest, spend the money once. If your planning on doing your own service make sure you have the right size oil filter wrench and again don't cheap out . When in doubt just ask and you won't have to wait long before someone will be there to help you. Also YouTube can be a big help and a good tool to have in the box. Just remember we were all in your shoes at one time. Most of these guys have forgotten more than I'll ever know. Nice tractor by the way.

 

[MilkyWay]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the OP....if he said something like "is it worth spending $$$ on a 3/4" or 1" drive socket set to do some repairs like removing wheels or am I better off just buying individual extra large sockets for my 1/2 set...."

What's a socket??

 

[mattwithcats]

Basic tools...

First, stay away from 12 point sockets, use 6 point.
Second, no need for SAE, Metric only.

Bare bones, a 3/8 drive ratchet, some 6 point metric deep sockets, a wobble, and a 3 inch extension. Bought this as a set at Lowe***8217;s for $7...

Extras, a standard depth 3/8 drive 6 point metric socket set. A 6 inch extension

Next, a 1/4 drive ratchet with standard depth metric 6 point socket set, with wobble.
Deep sockets optional, extension optional.

Last, a 1/2 ratchet with deep socket 6 point metric impact socket set. A 1/2 breaker bar. A 4 to 6 foot piece of 2 inch pvc pipe, (a cheater to slide on the end of the breaker bar)
Standard sockets optional, an electric or air powered impact gun, standard 6 point metric impact sockets. a wobble, and extensions also optional..,

Next up is wrenches...

 

[Brick Axelrod]

If you get a decent socket, wrench and screwdriver set like Kobalt, Husky, Craftsman, you should be good to go with most things you want to do. I recommend if getting sockets and wrench sets get up to about 25mm then buy as needed if you are lacking something to get the job done. If your getting standard go up to 1 inch. Good luck, happy wrenching.

 

[mattwithcats]

Three kind of wrench ends, box, open, and flare.

Box should be six point, metric.
I hate open wrenches, I always use flare. The don’t slip off the nut as easy.

You may be able to find this as a set, I just use double ended box, and another set of double ended flares...

If your doing hydraulic fittings, a torque wrench, and a set of flare crows foot ends, metric.

 

[Fordtech86]

What's a socket??

Ain’t the the thing u plug your extension cord into? Lol,but seriously,lots of good points on tool,I’ve spent thousands of dollars on tools at work from snap on,Matco and Mac,at home I’ve been buying the kobalt stuff from lowes,even switched to them for my cordless tools at work,only thing I can add is get some cordless impacts for helping remove covers and shields quickly,1/4 inch impact is all I use for access on my tractor,chances of u needing anything bigger for a while if your buying a new tractor is pretty low

 

[MilkyWay]

When I want to sharpen my bush hog blades I always remove them and put on a fresh/sharp pair. I always break out the 3/4" breaker, ratchet, a big, steel cheater pipe and 1-1/2" socket. That is pretty much the only time the big stuff comes into use. I might consider buying a 1/2" drive, female to 3/4" male adapter, if they are available, 'cause then I could try my pneumatic impact wrench to see if it will do the job. It is a good impact, but I don't know,,,

 

[matR]

thanks everyone - I really enjoyed reading all these replies - really helpful feedback.
Cheers
matR -