Lesson 4: Pulling Tools

Lesson 4: Pulling Tools

Introduction:

In the Caterpillar Dealer shop many parts must be removed by the

use of a puller. We use pullers to remove such things as gears,
bearings and sleeves.
Objectives:

After completion of this lesson the student will be able to utilize both
hydraulic and mechanical pullers used in our industry.
Materials: Standard Cat service pullers
Unit 2 2-4-2 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.1 and 2.4.2 Two or Three Jaw Puller

Two or Three Jaw Puller

A puller with three jaws has the jaws set evenly apart. Each arm is
assembled to a piece which is used to connect the arm to the center
piece. This piece is known as an "ear." Hinges at both ends of the
ear connect it to the arm and the center piece. The forcing screw
goes through the center of the center piece. A square head at the
outside end of the forcing screw lets the forcing screw be held and
turned by a wrench. The other end of the forcing screw usually has a
small point on it. The small point keeps the forcing screw in the
center of the shaft during operation. The jaws of the puller are bent
in at the tips for better gripping of the part. Both ends of some jaws
are bent in at the tip to make them have a larger field of application.
Pullers are rated by their reach and spread. Reach is the distance the
forcing screw can be extended from the top to the bottom. Spread is
the distance the jaws can move apart and still hold the part.
The two or three jaw puller can be used to pull a part off a shaft or
pull a part out of a counter bore if it has been pressed in place. The
jaws of the puller can be turned around so that the puller can be used
for either inside or outside puller applications. To install the puller to
pull a part off a shaft, put the jaws of the puller under the edge of the
part to be pulled. A spacer is usually put between the end of the
forcing screw and the shaft. The spacer prevents the shaft from being
damaged by the forcing screw. Turn the forcing screw until the
gripping surfaces of the jaws are tight against the part to be pulled.
Put a wrench on the square drive of the forcing screw and turn it
clockwise. As the forcing screw is turned, the puller will pull the
gear off the shaft.
Unit 2 2-4-3 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

On all applications of the puller, be sure to wear safety glasses. Be

sure to use a puller with enough reach and spread. Too small a
spread can cause the jaws to slide off the part and cause damage to
the tool or part being pulled or injury to the user. The reach must be
the same or larger than the dimension of the job. The spread must be
the same or larger than the width of the part to be pulled. For pullers
with forcing screws, the diameter of the forcing screw must be larger
than half the diameter of the shaft of the job. Be sure that the jaws
are in position for a straight pull.

Fig. 2.4.3 and 2.4.4 Step Plate

Step Plate
A step plate is a small piece of steel in the shape of a cylinder. The
cylinder has a step which goes completely around it. The head has a
larger diameter than the body. A small hole is in the center of the
surface of the head. This hole is for the point on the end of the
forcing screw. Step plates come in many different diameters
according to the application.
Step plates are used between the shaft and the forcing screw of the
puller. Step plates can be used on hollow shafts. The body of the
step plate slides into the hole of the shaft. The head of the step plate
must be larger then the inside diameter of the hole of the shaft, so it
sits on the end of the shaft. This lets the forcing screw push against
it and pull the part off the shaft. On solid shafts, the step plate can be
used as protection for the shaft or as a spacer.
Unit 2 2-4-4 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.5 and 2.4.6 Centering Plate

Centering Plate
A centering plate is a small cylinder of steel which usually has a
small machine center on one side and a small hole going to a point on
the other side. The hole is used to hold the point of the forcing
screw. The height of the centering plate is usually smaller than its
diameter. The centering plates must be smaller than the shaft so that
the part will slide off.
The centering plate is used for protection of the shaft from damage
caused by the point on the forcing screw. The centering plate also
keeps the forcing screw on the center of the shaft. The centering
plate is put between the forcing screw and the shaft. The point of the
forcing screw is put in the hole on the back of the centering plate.
The puller is then tightened to keep the centering plate in position.
Unit 2 2-4-5 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.7 and 2.4.8 Slide Hammer Puller

Slide Hammer Puller

A slide hammer puller is a metal rod with a handle at one end and an
attachment to hold the part at the other end. The inside attachment
can be removed so that other attachments can be used. In between
the handle and the holding attachment, the heavy hammer slides
along the shaft. The stops for the hammer are the cone which
controls the adjustment of the attachment and a ball close to the
handle near the end of the shaft. The cone is installed on the shaft of
the puller and is turned to open and close the jaws of the attachment.
Slide hammer pullers come in many sizes. Size groups are according
to the weight of the hammer and the length of the shaft. The length
of the standard puller is 2 1/2 feet (75 cm) and the weight of the
hammer is 2 1/2 to 5 lb. (1.125 to 2.25 kg).
Slide hammer pullers are used to remove parts which have been
pressed into a bore. A slide hammer is needed when there is no
surface for a forcing screw to push against. The heavy hammer gives
the force needed to pull the part out of the bore. Jaws which can be
turned around can be used to pull parts off a shaft even though there
is a surface to push against. The pulling attachment is put in position
and then the hammer is rapidly hit against the ball stop. The ball
stop sends the force of the hammer to the holding attachment and to
the part being removed.
Unit 2 2-4-6 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.9 and 2.4.10 Bearing Cup Puller

Bearing Cup Puller
The bearing cup puller is like the two jaw puller except that the jaws
on the bearing cup puller are held secure by an adjustment screw.
The jaws are held in two places instead of held to an ear with hinges.
The jaws on the bearing cup puller can move outward or inward
along a rod. The jaws are connected in slots of a brace part way
down to the tip of the jaw. This brace, or cross block, is a block of
metal with two slots for the jaws. The forcing screw goes through
the center of the cross block. Adjustment holes for the bolts of the
jaw give three different adjustment positions for the jaws. The reach
of the puller can be changed if you use different length of jaws.
The bearing cup puller is used to remove parts from bores and in
areas with limited access where other pullers cannot be used. The
bearing cup puller removes parts which have been pressed in place.
The puller is installed after the jaws have been adjusted to fit the
part. The adjusting screw is turned to hold the jaws in place and a
step plate or centering plate is used as a contact surface for the
forcing screw. Turn the forcing screw until the gripping surfaces of
the jaws are tight against the part. Put a wrench on the drive unit and
turn it clockwise. As the forcing screw is turned, the bearing cup
puller will pull the bearing or part off.
On all applications of the puller, always wear safety glasses. Be sure
to use a puller with the proper reach and spread. Too small a spread
can cause the jaws to slide off the part and cause damage to the tool
or part or injury to the operator. The reach must be the same or
larger than the dimension of the job. The spread must be adjusted so
that the jaws have as good a fit as possible. Be sure that the jaws are
in good position for a straight pull.
Unit 2 2-4-7 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.11 and 2.4.12 Lip-type Seal Puller

Lip-Type Seal Puller

The lip-type seal puller is similar to a slide hammer puller without
the cone and arm attachments. The hammer on the lip-type seal
puller slides between a stop at the handle and a stop two-thirds down
the shaft. The end of the shaft is in the shape of a point. The tip of
the puller has threads which are used to hold the seal. The weight of
the hammer is usually about 2 1/2 to 5 pounds (1.125 to 2.25 kg).
The length of the shaft can be from 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm).
The lip-type seal puller is used to pull lip-type seals which have been
pressed into place. To remove a seal, put two holes with a center
punch 180 degrees apart in the metal case around the seal. Then put
the screw tip of the puller into one hole. Turn the puller shaft
clockwise until the tip holds in the metal case. Use the slide hammer
to hit the stop. Tighten the screw tip again if necessary. Do this
procedure in each of the holes until the seal is removed.
On all applications of the puller, always wear safety glasses. Be sure
to hold the puller straight and steady. Hold the puller away from
your body when the hammer is hit against the stop. Be careful that
the point does not slide out of the hole and damage the tool or cause
injury to the operator.
Unit 2 2-4-8 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.13 and 2.4.14 Push Puller

Push Puller
The push puller is made up of a forcing screw and two arms which
can be moved and a cross block. The arms are connected to the cross
block by a nut that goes on the threads on the end of the arms. Four
small plates with holes for the arms are used to keep the arms in
position in the cross block. The nut can be loosened so that the
spread on the puller can be changed. The forcing screw goes through
the center of the cross block. A square drive is at one end of the
forcing screw and the other end has a small point on it. The arms
have ends with threads for the attachments which must be used with
a push puller. To change the reach of the puller, adapters can be
added to the ends of the arms. A forcing nut on the forcing screw is
turned to move the screw in and out. Push pullers are rated
according to their spread.
The push puller can be used to remove parts which have been
press-fit on a shaft or into a hole. With correct attachments, the push
puller can remove a hard-to-get-at bearing race, retainer or oil seal.
The push puller can push or pull a part. To pull on a part, the forcing
nut must be between the cross block and the part to be pulled. The
puller can be connected to the part by the adapters or attachments. A
centering plate is put in position between the end of the forcing
screw and the shaft. The forcing nut is turned while the drive unit at
the end of the forcing screw is held by a wrench.
On all applications of the puller, always wear safety glasses. Be sure
to use a puller with the correct reach and spread. The reach must be
the same or larger than the dimension of the job. The spread should
be adjusted so that the arms are at right angles to the part. Be sure
that the ends of the arm are securely held to the part. When using
this type of puller with a forcing screw, the diameter of the forcing
screw must be larger than half of the diameter of the shaft of the job.
Unit 2 2-4-9 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.15 and 2.4.16 Ratchet Wrench, Push Puller

Ratchet Wrench
The ratchet wrench which is used with the push puller has a head
with a special socket. This socket is made to fit the forcing nut on
the forcing screw. The ratchet wrench is not a socket wrench with
variable socket sizes. The socket on the ratchet wrench is made so
that the forcing screw will fit through the socket and the socket will
then fit over the forcing nut. These wrenches can come in different
sizes according to the size of the push puller.
The ratchet wrench is used to turn the forcing nut on the push puller.
The ratchet wrench is put in position before the arms are connected if
the part is to be pulled from the shaft. The ratchet is put in position
so that the forcing screw goes through the hole in the socket and then
to the forcing nut. When the ratchet wrench is turned, the drive unit
at the end of the forcing screw must be held by a wrench.
Unit 2 2-4-10 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.17 and 2.4.18 Bearing Puller Attachment

Bearing Puller Attachment

The bearing pulling attachment is made of two halves which are
connected by two bolts. The two halves are made in the shape of
half of a circle with the center edge of each half made into a thin
edge. This thin edge is installed under the bearing and is adjusted
into place by the two bolts. Each half has a hole through it which is
used to install the push puller. The attachment also has grooves in it
so that a two jaw puller can be connected to it. Bearing pulling
attachments can come in many sizes according to the diameter of the
largest bearing which the attachment can safely remove.
The bearing pulling attachment is used to remove bearings which
have been pressed onto a shaft. This attachment must be used with
some other puller, either a two or three jaw puller or a push puller.
The bearing pulling attachment is put in position under a bearing and
adjusted to a tight fit. A two or three jaw puller is then connected to
pull the bearing off the shaft. If a push puller is used, install the arms
of the push puller to the bearing pulling attachment before they are
connected to the cross block of the push puller.
On all applications of the puller, always wear safety glasses. Be sure
to use a bearing pulling attachment with a large enough diameter for
the bearing. The spread of the puller must be adjusted so that the
arms are at right angles to the part. Be sure that the ends of the arms
are safely fastened to the bearing pulling attachment. For the push
puller, the diameter of the puller shaft must be at least half as large as
the diameter of the shaft of the job. Be sure the bolts which are used
for adjustment have tightened the attachment against the bearing
before you start to pull.
Unit 2 2-4-11 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.19 and 2.4.20 Hand Hydraulic Pump

Hand Hydraulic Pump

A hand hydraulic pump is made up of a cylinder, handle, valve
handle, pressure gauge, oil reservoir, hoses, filler cap and a vent
plug. Most times the hydraulic pump cylinder and reservoir are
together in a case. The handle has a hinge at the end which is
connected to the case. The hinge lets the handle move up and down.
The up and down motion of the handle causes the piston to move in
and out. The piston is connected a short distance from the end of the
handle which is hinged. The valve handle is connected to a valve
which controls the direction of flow in the hoses. The valve handle
has three flow positions. The pressure gauge is connected to the
system so that the operator knows the amount of pressure which is in
the hoses. Hand operated hydraulic pumps can come with more than
one travel speed.
The hand hydraulic pump can be used when a hydraulic power
supply is needed which can be moved by hand. The hydraulic puller
is an example of an application for the hand hydraulic pump. To use
the hand hydraulic pump, the reservoir tank must be filled with oil.
The hoses must be fastened and the selector valve handle must be in
position for the correct oil flow. Before the pump is operated, be
sure the vent plug on the filler cap has been opened to prevent
cavitation (vacuum bubbles) in the system. The hoses must be
connected to a hydraulic operated tool. The handle is then moved up
and down to pump the oil to the hydraulic tool.
Unit 2 2-4-12 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Be sure to wear safety glasses when the pump is in use. Check the
hoses for damage before they are used, and be sure the connection is
a tight fit to prevent leakage of oil. The pump will not operate when
the selector valve handle is in the no flow position. If the pressure
gauge does not operate, do not use the hand hydraulic pump. Be sure
the size of the pump is the correct size for the size of the hydraulic
tool on which it will be used. Be sure the hoses and coupling are
free from dirt, which will cause the pressure to go up. Do not use
low pressure hoses and fittings because most pumps have high
pressure relief valves.
Unit 2 2-4-13 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.21 and 2.4.22 Electric Hydraulic Pump

Electric Hydraulic Pump

An electric hydraulic pump is made up of the motor and control
assembly, the brush assembly, the remote control assembly, the pump
and control valve assembly, the reservoir, the hoses, the pressure
gauge, the filler cap and the vent plug. A valve handle is used to
control the direction of oil flow in the hoses. The valve handle has
three flow positions. The pressure gauge is connected to the system
so that the operator will know what pressure is in the outlet hose.
Electric hydraulic pumps can come with more than one travel speed.
The power supply is either 115 or 230 volts for Caterpillar pumps.
The electric hydraulic pump can be used when the speed and easy
operation of hydraulic power is needed and an electric outlet is
available. The hydraulic puller is an example of an application for
the electric hydraulic pump. To use the pump, the reservoir must be
filled with oil and the electric plug installed into an outlet. The hoses
must be connected with a tight fit to the pump and to the hydraulic
tool. The selector valve handle must be in position for correct oil
flow. Before operation of the pump, be sure the vent plug on the
filler cap has been opened to prevent cavitation (vacuum bubbles) in
the system. The remote control lever is then operated to move the oil
through the hoses. Electric hydraulic pumps operate much faster than
hand hydraulic pumps.
Always wear safety glasses when the electric hydraulic pump is in
use. The hoses must have a tight connection to prevent any leakage
of oil. Check the hoses for damage. Physical damage to the hoses is
a major safety problem. The pump will not operate when the selector
valve is in the no flow position. If the pressure gauge does not
operate, do not use the pump. Be sure that the size of the pump is the
correct size for the application.
Unit 2 2-4-14 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.23 and 2.4.24 Hydraulic Cylinder

Hydraulic Cylinder
The hydraulic cylinder is a cylinder with a piston inside and
connections for hydraulic hoses. Some have a handle to be used to
lift the cylinder and a head which has bolt holes through it. Some
cylinders are double action and others are single action. Single
action cylinders are hydraulic cylinders in which the hydraulic fluid
causes the piston in the cylinder to move in one direction only. A
spring causes the piston to move in the other direction. There is only
one hydraulic coupling on the single action hydraulic cylinder.
Double action cylinders are hydraulic cylinders in which the
hydraulic fluid causes the piston in the cylinder to move in both
directions, and there are two couplings on this cylinder.
Hydraulic cylinders are rated by the distance the piston can move and
the amount of weight which the cylinder can lift. Some hydraulic
cylinders have a large center hole through which forcing screws or
other accessories may be extended for miscellaneous applications. To
use the hydraulic cylinder, put it in position for the given application
and connect the lines from the pump. The movement of the oil in the
pump will cause the piston in the hydraulic cylinder to move.
Always wear safety glasses when the hydraulic cylinder is in use.
The hydraulic lines must have a tight connection to prevent leakage
of oil. Check the lines for damage before they are used. Be careful
that the hoses are not filled with dirt.
Unit 2 2-4-15 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

Fig. 2.4.25 and 2.4.26 Hydraulic Puller

Hydraulic Puller
The hydraulic puller is made up of a push puller with a special shaft
and the hydraulic attachment. The hydraulic attachment has two
small, single action hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders are
on each side of the forcing screw of the push puller. The special
forcing screw does not have threads the complete length, as with the
standard forcing screw of a push puller. The special forcing screw
has threads only on the lower half of the shaft. From the end of the
shaft which will be put on the centering plate, a push plate with
threads through the center is put on the forcing screw. This push
plate is used by the hydraulic attachment to push against. A crank is
put on the other end of the forcing screw and is used to adjust the
forcing screw down to the centering plate. The hydraulic puller is
connected to either a hand hydraulic pump or an electric hydraulic
pump. The pistons of the hydraulic attachment are hydraulically
extended but pushed back by a spring.
The hydraulic puller is used in applications where a standard push
puller does not give enough force. To use the hydraulic puller,
connect the arms to the part which must be pulled. The arms are then
connected to the cross block. The forcing screw with the hydraulic
attachment is put through the center of the cross block. The push
plate is then connected to the forcing screw. Then the puller group is
adjusted so that the arms are tight and the forcing screw is adjusted
down to the centering plate. The hydraulic pump is connected and
can then be started. Hydraulic puller groups are rated by the amount
of force which they can make (produce).
Unit 2 2-4-16 Caterpillar Service Industry
Lesson 4

On all applications of the puller, always wear safety glasses. Be

sure to use a puller with the correct reach and spread. The reach
must be the same or greater than the dimension of the job. The
spread must be adjusted so that the arms are at right angles to the
part. In most cases, the diameter of the forcing screw must be the
same or greater than half the diameter of the shaft of the job.

Fig. 2.4.27 and 2.4.28 Service Couplers

Service Couplers
Service couplers come in a set of internal/external adapters. The
internal half of the set has a hollow sleeve which has threads on the
inner surface. This hollow sleeve slides over the main body and is
used to hold the external adapter in position. The other end of the
internal adapter has threads on the inner surface and a hex nut face on
the outer surface. The internal and external adapters have a ball in a
socket which is held in position by a spring. The same end which has
the ball socket also has threads which go into the hollow sleeve of the
internal adapter. The other end of the external adapter has threads on
the outer surface which will fit into the hydraulic tool.
Service couplers are used as a set to connect hydraulic lines to tools
and machines. The external adapter fits into the tool or machine.
The internal adapter connects to the hydraulic line and is then put in
position around the external adapter. The sleeve is tightened up and
the coupler is assembled. Service couplers are used so that hydraulic
lines can be connected easily and fast to any type of hydraulic
application.
Be sure the correct type of coupler is used on all hydraulic setups.
Failure because of high pressure can cause serious injury to the
operator.