Hey ozzman, you can get compression fittings to fit the 5/8" outlet tubes. Just cut them to 1" long, clamp down the fitting, and thread in the hose fitting of your choice. You would end up with about 2 1/2" inches of fittings, but then no soldering is required.
You can also cut the tubes down and epoxy hose barbs to the stubs using Aroldite or JBWeld. Just get a large threaded fitting and it will fit right onto the tube pretty well.
Don't give up because you think you're not mechanically inclined...just do more thinking about ways to get around the 'power users' way, or a lack of tools. Roam the plumbing section of the local hardware. There's lots of different ways of doing the same thing.