What is a crutch head stopcock key?
What is a crutch head stopcock key? |
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A crutch head stopcock key is for turning on and off crutch stopcocks – those with T-shaped heads, which look rather like traditional taps. | |||
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The shape of the working end of a crutch stopcock key is shaped like a U, and is often referred to as a U-channel. | |||
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The U-channel fits over the ‘T’ of the stopcock head. | |||
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Crutch stopcock keys are normally used outdoors on crutch head stopcocks that are below ground level and often difficult to reach or turn by hand.
Turning the key clockwise or anti-clockwise turns the stopcock off or on. |
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What sizes do they fit?There are crutch stopcock keys to fit crutch stopcocks of all sizes. Most crutch stopcocks keys are suitable for stopcocks with 1/2 inch (15mm) or 3/4 inch (20mm) pipes. However, some can be used on 5/8 inch (16mm) and others on 1 inch (25mm) stopcocks. Some crutch stopcock keys will fit all of these sizes. |
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They have long shafts – between 860 and 1060mm (34 and 42 inches) – for reaching down up to several feet to turn stopcocks below ground level. | |||
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The handle is usually fixed – welded to the end of the shaft – which can be round or square section.
It is often flattened at one end to form a chisel shape. This is useful for prising up the covers of outdoor stopcocks and removing any debris or mud from around the edges of the cover. |
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