Hydraulic Spreaders For Sale, Service, Or Repair
What Are Hydraulic Spreaders?
Hydraulic spreaders are simple, but extremely effective machines. You’ll normally find them used in challenging settings, as they’re excellent material handling tools. They are purposed for one thing – wedge into a tight space and pry open more space – but they do that one thing reliably and safely.
Hydraulic spreaders are so reliable, in fact, that they’re the go-to tool when failure is not an option. They’re the technology behind the Jaws of Life, for instance, and they’re also used extensively among oil and gas workers. Their compact build, excellent power, ease of use and simple design makes them the ideal sidekick for tough field work.
No products were found matching your selection.
How Do Hydraulic Spreaders Work?
Hydraulic spreaders come in a range of sizes, but they all work the same. The spreader looks like a pair of metal jaws, typically made from aluminum and tipped with steel for maximum force delivery.
While the metal jaws apply the spreading force, they get their power from a hydraulic pump attached to the spreader. Once switched on, the hydraulic pump pushes fluid into the piston chamber, which advances the piston rod. The piston rod is attached to a pair of linkages that are also attached to the spreader’s jaws. As the rod advances, the linkages rotate and open the metal jaws. When the piston is retracted, it rotates the linkages in reverse and returns them to their original position, closing the jaws. As the piston is retracted, the hydraulic fluid is pumped out of the chamber and into a second tube that travels back to the pump.
It’s about as simple as a hydraulic tool can get, but simple tools are reliable tools, and reliability is a major advantage when engaged in tough field work.
Three Features To Look For In A Hydraulic Spreader
Whether you’re in the market for a wedge spreader or a collet spreader, there are features you’ll want from your tool. Three of them include:
The Right Size
Flange joints are built to various specifications and use a variety of bolt sizes. That can be a complicating factor when selecting a hydraulic spreader because they’re built for different flange sizes. Make sure the spreader you choose is designed to interface with the bolt or flange size your crews work with.
Quality Build
There are a few reputable tool manufacturers that also produce hydraulic spreaders. SPX is one example. Quality brands produce quality tools, designed for every day, heavy duty use. It’s highly recommended that oil and gas professionals opt for one of these brands as it will cost less in the long run, and we can help your crews identify the best options.
Ease of Use
A hydraulic spreader must be easy and quick to use because it may be used dozens of times in a single day. If your crews are having trouble setting up the spreader and controlling it during operation, that will eat into productivity. Some spreaders even come with an integrated pump for even easier use.
Do They Use Hydraulic Oil In Hydraulic Spreaders?
The hydraulic fluid of choice in most applications is a type of oil, but for hydraulic spreaders and many other heavy duty tools, an alternative to standard oil is used.
That alternative is a phosphate-ester fluid, and it’s preferred because it is nonflammable and because it will not conduct electricity. In applications where environment hazards are present (like at a vehicle crash site), this is a valuable safety advantage.
How Are Hydraulic Spreaders Used In The Oil And Gas Industry?
Hydraulic spreaders are a primary tool for oil and gas professionals, where they are typically used during pipeline construction or maintenance.
Specifically, oil and gas workers use hydraulic spreaders to work on flange joints. Whether it’s to service an existing joint, replace a stretch of pipe or build a new pipeline, hydraulic spreaders are what workers use to push the joint apart.
Their material handling capabilities make hydraulic spreaders valuable to oil and gas professionals, but there’s more than one type of spreader.
What’s The Difference Between A Wedge Spreader And A Collet Spreader?
When hydraulic spreaders are wedge spreaders, with the familiar jaw-like shape that opens during operation. These are effective for accessing flange joints, but some oil and gas professionals opt for collet-type spreaders instead.
Collet spreaders make more sense than wedge spreaders in a couple of flange-related situations. If either of the following are true, then a collet spreader is an ideal choice:
- There’s not enough space between the flanges – In some instances, the flange joint is just too tight to fit a wedge spreader into. A collet spreader requires zero clearance between flanges to operate because it works by accessing the bolt holes instead of the flange gap. The collet spreader pulls the flanges apart instead of pushing them, which makes for a steady, measurable form of force application.
- The flange cannot be damaged in any way – Collet spreaders do not interface with the flange faces during operation. Instead, they access bolt holes and separate the mating flanges from there. This means zero risk of damaging the flange faces, which is critical if you’re doing anything other than replacing the pipeline.
Flickinger Machine Can Help You Choose and Maintain Its Hydraulic Spreaders
Hydraulic spreaders may be simple tools, but they serve an important purpose in multiple industries. However, determining which one is the best for your purposes may not be obvious. That’s where the Flickinger team can help. We’re experts in understanding, sourcing, and maintaining a variety of hydraulic spreaders and accessories, and we can put this expertise to work for you.