PULLERS
206
Selecting the “Right” Puller
You can solve the 3 basic pulling problems…
The first thing you have to do is identify exactly what your
particular pulling problem is. Once you recognize the problem,
you can go on to select the right tool to solve it.
How to select the “RIGHT” puller
1: Determine the type of puller or puller combination.
Which puller type is best for “getting a grip” on the part?
Is a combination of puller types required?
2: Determine the “REACH” needed.
The puller you
select must have a “reach” equal to or larger than the
corresponding sizes of the part.
3: Determine the “SPREAD” needed.
The width of the part to
be pulled will determine the “spread” required.
4: Estimate the force required.
A puller with the correct “reach”
and “spread” will usually have enough power. When in doubt,
always use the next larger size. More power may be needed for
rusted parts, or when the “area of resistance” is large.
The tools to use when pulling something off a shaft:
Jaw-type puller, either manual or hydraulic. (For extra force and
convenience use a hydraulic puller.) Both are available in 2- or
3-jaw versions and are used to grip the outer circumference of
an attachment.
Bearing pulling attachment. Provides “knife-like” edges to get
behind the component, or when there isn’t a good gripping area on
the part to be pulled.
Push-Puller
®
with attachments. External-internal adapters can
thread directly into tapped holes on a component. The splitter gets
behind the component to prevent damage to the part.
Slide hammer puller with selected attachments for multiple
light-duty pulling tasks.
A variety of OTC adapters can be used to protect a shaft, bridge
a hole, thread into tapped holes, or assist installation.
The tools to use when pulling something out of a hole:
Internal pulling attachments have narrow jaws which extend
through the center of the part to be pulled. They provide a straight
pull and avoid damage to housings. Designed for use with Push-
Pullers or slide hammer pullers.
Push-Puller in combination with internal pulling attachment. Both
mechanical and hydraulically powered versions are available.
Here a slide hammer puller is combined with an internal pulling
attachment. Ideal for removing parts from blind holes, especially
when there is no housing to brace puller legs against.
When there is a shaft to bear against, a forcing screw of the
correct size may be used in combination with an internal pulling
attachment.
The tools to use when pulling a shaft out of something:
Push-Puller
®
with threaded adapter. Use a mechanical or hydraulic
puller, depending on the size of the shaft to be pulled.
When the housing lacks sufficient surface for the puller legs to bear
against, a pulling attachment may be used to provide support.
Slide hammer puller with threaded adapter – either external-internal
or internal can be used.
Internal adapters are fastened to the external threaded end of the
shaft to pull while pushing against the housing.
External-internal adapters are threaded into the shaft to pull it
while pushing against the housing.
General Rule of Thumb: Manual pullers require that
the puller screw be at least half as large (in diameter)
as the shaft of the pulling job.
Hydraulic pullers need the maximum force exerted in
tons to be 7–10 times the diameter of the shaft in inches.
1 Pulling something off a shaft.
Removing a gear, bearing, wheel, pulley, etc.,
to replace it or get at another part.
2 Pulling something out of a hole.
Internal bearing cups, retainers, or oil seals are
usually press-fitted and are difficult to remove.
3 Pulling a shaft out of something.
A transmission shaft or pinion shaft is often hard to
remove from a bore or housing. Use a Push-Puller
with adapters if you can “get ahold of” the threaded
end of the shaft. Sometimes it’s possible to push a
shaft through a housing, rather than pull it out. In
applications of this type, the puller legs must be
securely fastened to the housing and the screw
may simply bear against the shaft.