Stem/Seat Removing Tool Ties for Third

Abstract

The water utility crew in Fox Point, Wisconsin, was having a hard time removing Milwaukee‐style hydrant stems that had not been taken apart in 40 to 50 years. The normal procedure for removing a tight stem was to have four men with two pipe wrenches and two long extension pipes push on the hydrant stem/seat until it broke loose. About five years ago, one man suffered whiplash from this procedure. The utility crew could not get enough torque out of the wrenches to break the stems out. More torque was needed or they would have to dig up the hydrants and replace them. This handy stem‐ and seat‐removing tool solved the problem.