Hydraulic Torque Wrenches
Low-clearance and square-drive hydraulic torque wrenches for heavy bolting.
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Torque Wrenches
What Are Hydraulic Torque Wrenches?
Invented in Houston, Texas, hydraulic torque wrenches use fluid power to apply extremely high levels of torque onto a fastener. They’re typically used in the most demanding fastening applications, so any project involving heavy construction likely requires one or more torque wrenches.
For example, torque wrenches are relied on for bridge and building construction. They’re used extensively in the petroleum industry, where they are needed to put together refinery equipment. You’ll find them in mills, power plants, shipyards and along pipelines.
Torque wrenches are the field worker’s best friend, but how do they work and what should you look for in your next hydraulic torque wrench? We’ve got the answers.
How Does A Hydraulic Torque Wrench Work?
Before a hydraulic torque wrench can be safely operated, the pump must be properly pressure calibrated. To do so, the operator will likely need to reference pressure-to-torque charts for the exact calibration values.
Once the pump is set, the wrench is positioned so that its reaction foot rests against something that will counter the operating force. Otherwise, the wrench’s operation may be affected. It’s common for technicians to place the reaction foot against a nearby nut to anchor it in place. The ratchet is threaded over the nut or bolt (if it’s a low-profile wrench), or the drive shaft is inserted into the socket (if it’s a square wrench).
At this point, the wrench can be powered on. Once it is, the pump delivers hydraulic oil to the piston, which advances inside the wrench cassette. As the piston advances, it grips onto the hex ratchet and rotates it, which then rotates the nut. Then, the piston retracts and the process begins again.
A Few Things To Consider When Selecting A Hydraulic Torque Wrench
Hydraulic torque wrenches are valuable, effort-saving tools, but before you settle on one, you’ll need to consider a few things. For example:
Do you need a multipurpose torque wrench?
Some hydraulic torque wrench manufacturers design their wrenches with a degree of modularity. When needed, the cassette can be popped off and a different cassette secured to the wrench body. This way, you can access a greater range of nut sizes and ensure all your fasteners are covered.
Do you have enough wrench size and power?
Hydraulic torque wrenches can apply anywhere from 100 ft/lbs of torque to 120,000 ft/lbs of torque. That’s a huge range of force-applying capabilities, so before picking a wrench, make sure it can apply the force you need. Also, torque wrench cassettes are designed to fit particular nut sizes, so verify that the cassettes you have will fit the fasteners you’re working with.
Do you want a steel or aluminum wrench?
Hydraulic torque wrenches are available in steel or aluminum models. They’re essentially the same, except that steel wrenches are heavier and tend to be more compact than aluminum. The size and weight difference could be a big deal in tight spaces or way up a ladder.
How often do you need to apply torque?
If torque is something your crews are constantly applying, then choose a reputable brand for your needs. SPX torque wrenches, for example, are built to last and built for safe operation. If you’ll be using the torque wrench often, build quality and safety are critical considerations.
In addition to the above, you’ll also need to decide between a low profile or square torque wrench. While they both do the same thing – apply torque – how they apply torque is different. They’re also suited for different work settings, so when you work and how you work will determine which type of torque wrench is best for your needs.
Low Profile vs. Square Torque Wrenches: What’s The Difference?
Hydraulic torque wrenches are available in two primary designs – either low profile wrenches or square wrenches. While they do the same job, they’re designed for different work settings. Here’s a closer look at each:
Low profile wrenches – A low profile wrench is exactly what it sounds like. With a compact, flat built, low profile wrenches are designed for the kind of tight work spaces you’ll find in heavy industry, including oil and gas. If clearances are minimal, a low profile wrench is your best bet.
Also, many low profile wrenches are designed to accept a variety of cassettes, so they can be operated easily, conveniently and affordably. Just pop on a different cassette when switching from one fastener size to another.
Square wrenches – Square wrenches aren’t as compact as low profile wrenches, but they are easier to reverse with and come with an adjustable reaction arm for better positioning. Their build and feature set makes them a better choice for industrial bolting applications, where clearance isn’t as much of a concern.
Square hydraulic wrenches work like a manual torque wrench – the kind you’d keep in your toolbox. You pick the right size socket for the job and place it over the nut. From there, the hydraulic pump does the rest.
Three Advantages Hydraulic Torque Wrenches Have Over Other Torque Wrenches
Hydraulic torque wrenches are purpose built for demanding applications, so they excel where most other tools would lag behind. A few standout benefits of using a torque wrench include:
Effortless, rapid fastening – Hydraulic torque wrenches self-fasten without manual adjustment, and they do it quickly. The faster your crews can fasten, the faster they can move on to other tasks.
Accurate torque application – Hydraulic torque wrenches apply force with tight precision, so there is minimal risk of over or under-tightening. This also means your crews will spend less time reapplying torque to get the exact amount of fastening force right.
An impressive range of safety-enhancing accessories – Top wrench manufacturers also manufacture a lot of accessories for their wrenches for better safety and performance. Different reaction arm sizes, backup spanners and safety handles are a few examples.
Hydraulic torque wrenches are an essential part of any industrial-level toolkit. Make sure you’ve got the right one, and make sure it’s well-maintained with the help of Flickinger Machine. We’ve sold and repaired hydraulic torque wrenches for years, so we can ensure your critical torque-applying tools remain the workhorses they’re designed to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying very high, very precise torque to a fastener using fluid power instead of muscle. They cover a range from around 100 ft/lbs up to 120,000 ft/lbs, which is why they turn up wherever bolting matters: bridge and building construction, refinery assembly, and heavy industrial fastening. The tool was invented in Houston.
Same job, different working space. A low profile wrench is compact and flat, built for tight clearances in heavy industry, and many accept a range of cassettes so one body covers several fastener sizes. A square drive wrench is bulkier but easier to reverse with, carries an adjustable reaction arm for positioning, and works like the manual torque wrench in your toolbox: pick the right socket, place it over the nut, let the pump do the rest.
Start with the torque the job actually calls for, then check the wrench covers it, because the range across models is enormous. Then decide on clearance, since a square drive will not fit where a low clearance model will. Then steel or aluminum: they do the same work, steel is heavier and tends to be more compact. If your crews torque constantly, buy for cycle life rather than for price.
A pump, and it has to be pressure calibrated before the wrench is safe to use, which means working from pressure-to-torque charts for that exact pairing. You also need a solid reaction point, since the reaction foot has to bear against something that counters the operating force. Reaction arms, sockets and cassettes are the accessories that make the tool work across different fasteners.
Yes. We supply square drive, low clearance and high cycle models, and we service and repair them. Square drive models use a steel body with a 360 degree reaction arm and a fully enclosed drive mechanism. Low clearance models carry an integrated reaction pad for tight industrial spaces. We are at 405 Nebraska in South Houston, Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm CT. Call 832-671-0978.
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