I took thos caps off for years when I was in the repair business. Take a screwdriver and a hammer and give the gripper a rap at the fold it bends the tab up and you can slide the cap right off. Worked for me for 40 years!
I just completed the changeover and the Dremel tool worked perfectly as you suggested. Getting the end caps was a challenge and then I look at what you did and bang, right on. Thanks for making such a clear and understandable video.
great video, exactly what I was looking for. I have 2 questions, why would anyone give a thumbs down to this video? and 2nd why are there so many tools (I don't mean hand tools) in this world? like the guy that says it's not a transmission. he is clearly a tool. it is a transmission and if for only 1 reason, the manufacturer calls it that. great to the point how to video..
You can take the transmission apart quite easily. 3/8 Allen wrench down the tube is all that remains to split the case. I split mine and found that the gears were all good, I lubricated all of the rusty plastic parts and mine works once again.
Yes, those hub caps can be a bugger. The dremel tool is the best I have found to remove them. Use a cut-off wheel and cut at the base of the small ears. The ears are three sided, cut at the base where there is no pre-cut line and cut all the way through the ear until it can be removed or falls out. If after these are cut and it still won't come loose you might have a rusted on cap. Hold the wheel with one hand, using a pair of pliers, grip the cap and turn to loosen it as you pull.
They obviously work best in straight laid out hose runs. Try to avoid too sharp of turns, several turns in one run or turns when its pulling a heavy load of hose behind it. You may have to create some slack with the hose that's being pulled behind it, just before it makes any turns. Hope that helps.
Back when I was needing them, I ordered them from Nelson, listed in the owners manual that came with the unit. The transmission number is 77376. You might try ACE Hardware and see if they can just order the transmission for you. Hope that helps. Just for reference, back when I was needing them. I could buy them for $14.95/each. But that was a different time, probably twice that now. LGB!
Your dogs chewed on the PVC wheels? Join the club -- mine like too chew on them too. But the dogs hate water, so as long as it is spraying water, it is safe from the dogs... :)
@@RGfixitright -- And stupid dogs are so much more fun than smart dogs... Stupid dogs will start doing something and you just have to laugh and go, "WTF????"...
The new transmission/gearbox kit comes with new axle caps. Or you can use one of the other options I came up with instead of the cap. See my other video (part 2) reference the same thing just a different approach and options.
Several places carry parts, simply type in Rain Train parts or Nelson lawn tractor parts and a wide array of companies carrying parts should pop up. Sift through them until you find the one you like. If you have the manual, use the part number for the transmission and search google or amazon. I have used LRNelson.com in the past. The company I used to use locally is no longer in business.
hi I have a question mine is leaking from the top of the transmission where the water tubes go on is there a fix for that it does seem to be threaded to where you can tighten it
Throw it away, and spend 2-3x more for a National Walking Sprinkler. Metal wheels, cast metal body, metal gears, and a complete full catalog of all the replacement parts for the A5, A5-2, & B3 models. I think the A5 is $155 delivered. We could drag 150 feet of hose behind ours. That just stripped half the plastic gears on the Nelson. I think we paid $20 including shipping for wheel weights to pull that extra hose, and fixing a leak cost us $3 + shipping or about $6. We got lucky with the last plastic tractor sprinkler. It lasted a good 10 or 12 years. The National sprinklers have been running for over 50 years, with occasional need for a gasket or a bushing.
the nelson will NOT 'STRIP HALF ITS PLASTIC GEARS' when its overloaded- it just digs into the turf until it high centers and just sits there and spins until you get a clue and turn the water off. it does not have enough mass and/or traction to damage the gears. the raintrain costs way less than your national units and is intended for an average size lawn/yard not a pasture, barnyard, or a golf course fairway. You're not helping anyone make up their mind if you don't know what you're posting about.
national has 2 different tips for the sprinkler arms to cover different diameter areas, everything on them is iron,brass or aluminum. they last forever and when you need a part its much cheaper because you can order individual parts for much less than complete assemblies. and the best part is their made in the USA and so strong they can be upgraded to pull 200 feet of 5/8 hose reliably. the number 1 complaint on orbit,nelson and melnor tractors are broken gears because their not strong enough, wear down and become brittle with sun exposure. national water sprinklers started in 1937 and those produced then are still out in the world working and have replacement parts available still. pay once cry once and pass it on to your kids!
See my other video for a more detailed Dremel Tool cap removal and some other wheel retention alternatives. See description above for link to the video.
The socket method to hammer it on and the Dremel to get them off was just what I needed. Thank you.
You're welcome!
You have a much better instruction than the other one I’ve seen, which makes my repair of my Nelson Sprinkler much easier. - ERM
Thank you!
I took thos caps off for years when I was in the repair business. Take a screwdriver and a hammer and give the gripper a rap at the fold it bends the tab up and you can slide the cap right off. Worked for me for 40 years!
Thanks for the input
I tried that last night worked like u said fast and easy put new transmission on came with new screws and cap
I did not want to break out the dremel. It was a PITA but your method did eventually work for me. Thanks!
Great video, helped me immensely. Loved that it was straight forward without a bunch of useless talking. Thanks
Thank you!
I just completed the changeover and the Dremel tool worked perfectly as you suggested. Getting the end caps was a challenge and then I look at what you did and bang, right on. Thanks for making such a clear and understandable video.
Thank you for your comments.
I used this video as a guide. Worked very well thank you!
Glad it helped!
great video, exactly what I was looking for. I have 2 questions, why would anyone give a thumbs down to this video? and 2nd why are there so many tools (I don't mean hand tools) in this world? like the guy that says it's not a transmission. he is clearly a tool. it is a transmission and if for only 1 reason, the manufacturer calls it that. great to the point how to video..
Thank you.
Your video was very helpful. I have three of these sprinklers and they all need the same fix. Hopefully the new parts will last another 10 years.
Thank you.
You can take the transmission apart quite easily. 3/8 Allen wrench down the tube is all that remains to split the case. I split mine and found that the gears were all good, I lubricated all of the rusty plastic parts and mine works once again.
Thanks for the comment.
Yes, those hub caps can be a bugger. The dremel tool is the best I have found to remove them. Use a cut-off wheel and cut at the base of the small ears. The ears are three sided, cut at the base where there is no pre-cut line and cut all the way through the ear until it can be removed or falls out. If after these are cut and it still won't come loose you might have a rusted on cap. Hold the wheel with one hand, using a pair of pliers, grip the cap and turn to loosen it as you pull.
My Nelson tractor sprinkler keeps walking off the hose. The pivot wheel moves freely. Any suggestions?
They obviously work best in straight laid out hose runs. Try to avoid too sharp of turns, several turns in one run or turns when its pulling a heavy load of hose behind it. You may have to create some slack with the hose that's being pulled behind it, just before it makes any turns. Hope that helps.
Where do you get the replacement kit?
Back when I was needing them, I ordered them from Nelson, listed in the owners manual that came with the unit. The transmission number is 77376. You might try ACE Hardware and see if they can just order the transmission for you. Hope that helps. Just for reference, back when I was needing them. I could buy them for $14.95/each. But that was a different time, probably twice that now. LGB!
I just used a flat head to pop the caps off, wasn’t a big deal at all
Some can be harder to remove depending on their age and areas in which one lives. Glad the screw driver worked for you, thanks for the input.
@@RGfixitright I learned that the hard way ha. Helped my friend with his and it was hard as heck to get em off
Thank you for the info I used a dremel too but damn those caps hahaha
Thanks for your input
Thorough. Good video - Thanks!
Thank you.
Your dogs chewed on the PVC wheels? Join the club -- mine like too chew on them too. But the dogs hate water, so as long as it is spraying water, it is safe from the dogs... :)
Gotta love them dogs.
@@RGfixitright -- And stupid dogs are so much more fun than smart dogs... Stupid dogs will start doing something and you just have to laugh and go, "WTF????"...
is there anyway to modify these to move quicker?
I had the same question. It's really slow.
yes- cut the spray arms shorter, re-bend them and re-install the end nozzles. it will go a lot faster and your neighbors will think you're an idiot.
The Dremel tool! Thanks.
Thank you.
Thanks
Welcome
Do you have a better view of how to cut the wheel caps?
See my other video.
Is there a way to not ruin it
The new transmission/gearbox kit comes with new axle caps. Or you can use one of the other options I came up with instead of the cap. See my other video (part 2) reference the same thing just a different approach and options.
my grandpa vern has two nelson watertain tractor its really cool but one of them needs a check up.
duhhhh
I used a pair of vise grips locked it on spun it around came right off
Thanks for the input.
Where did you get your parts ?
Sears
Several places carry parts, simply type in Rain Train parts or Nelson lawn tractor parts and a wide array of companies carrying parts should pop up. Sift through them until you find the one you like. If you have the manual, use the part number for the transmission and search google or amazon. I have used LRNelson.com in the past. The company I used to use locally is no longer in business.
See my other video for more detailed Dremel tool cap removal and some other wheel retention alternatives. See above description for link.
Thanks!!
Thank you!
you can grab the pal nuts and twist them right off with a good pair of pliers- no need to screw around with power tools.....
Thanks, but apparently some are rusted on pretty good.
hi I have a question mine is leaking from the top of the transmission where the water tubes go on is there a fix for that it does seem to be threaded to where you can tighten it
Throw it away, and spend 2-3x more for a National Walking Sprinkler. Metal wheels, cast metal body, metal gears, and a complete full catalog of all the replacement parts for the A5, A5-2, & B3 models. I think the A5 is $155 delivered. We could drag 150 feet of hose behind ours. That just stripped half the plastic gears on the Nelson. I think we paid $20 including shipping for wheel weights to pull that extra hose, and fixing a leak cost us $3 + shipping or about $6. We got lucky with the last plastic tractor sprinkler. It lasted a good 10 or 12 years. The National sprinklers have been running for over 50 years, with occasional need for a gasket or a bushing.
the nelson will NOT 'STRIP HALF ITS PLASTIC GEARS' when its overloaded- it just digs into the turf until it high centers and just sits there and spins until you get a clue and turn the water off. it does not have enough mass and/or traction to damage the gears. the raintrain costs way less than your national units and is intended for an average size lawn/yard not a pasture, barnyard, or a golf course fairway. You're not helping anyone make up their mind if you don't know what you're posting about.
national has 2 different tips for the sprinkler arms to cover different diameter areas, everything on them is iron,brass or aluminum. they last forever and when you need a part its much cheaper because you can order individual parts for much less than complete assemblies. and the best part is their made in the USA and so strong they can be upgraded to pull 200 feet of 5/8 hose reliably. the number 1 complaint on orbit,nelson and melnor tractors are broken gears because their not strong enough, wear down and become brittle with sun exposure. national water sprinklers started in 1937 and those produced then are still out in the world working and have replacement parts available still. pay once cry once and pass it on to your kids!
Tried a dremel, not much luck. Need something bigger - much bigger. Nuking those hubs from orbit may be the only way
See my other video for a more detailed Dremel Tool cap removal and some other wheel retention alternatives. See description above for link to the video.