HARBOR FREIGHT HOSE PLIERS

WHAT IT IS: HARBOR FREIGHT HOSE PLIERS

Harbor Freight Pittsburgh long-reach hose grip pliers are specially shaped to grip hoses without damage to the hoses or fittings they attach to. The set includes pliers for 3/8-, 1/2- and 3/4-inch hoses. Coarse rubber-coated handles on the pliers provide a secure grip. The set of three pliers is $14.99.

PERFORMANCE:

Many service and repair jobs on UTVs call for removing and replacing numerous hoses of various sizes. Hoses often stick to delicate aluminum, plastic and steel fittings, and require quite a bit of force to remove. Removing and replacing hoses with regular pliers can damage the hoses and the fittings because they aren’t shaped to grip hoses. The Harbor Freight Pittsburgh long-reach hose grip pliers are shaped to grip hoses without damage to the hoses or the fittings they’re on, and the long-reach design helps grasp hose ends that are crowded by other parts of the machine. They are well-constructed, comfortable and grip well.

We use these pliers on fuel, coolant and vacuum hoses because we’ve damaged expensive original-equipment-formed hoses, and the expensive fuel, coolant and vacuum parts they attach to. These pliers let us remove and reinstall hoses without damaging anything, and they make the work easier. The pliers don’t fit larger radiator hoses. Hopefully, Harbor Freight will introduce hose pliers to fit common radiator hose sizes soon.

THE VERDICT:

These special pliers are as important as using the right-size wrench or socket on fasteners because they keep parts you’re working on from being damaged. At $14.99 for the set of three, they cost far less than most original-equipment-formed hoses or the parts the hoses attach to.

CONTACT: Harbor Freight stores or www.harborfreight.com

RATING: ★★★★★

PRICE: $14.44

See UTV Action’s guide to making a tool kit for the Honda Talon here: BUILD YOUR OWN HONDA TALON TOOLKIT – UTV Action Magazine