How to Choose the Right Hydraulic Torque Wrenches for the Job

Hydraulic torque wrenches are essential bolting tools, capable of precisely delivering high levels of torque. Their capacity in this area makes hydraulic torque wrenches a must-have piece of equipment for fastening and maintenance applications.

Aerospace, automotive, energy, construction, infrastructure – these are just some of the industries that rely on hydraulic torqueing.

Let’s take a closer look at hydraulic torque wrenches and review options for work crews. We’ll also address what contractors should look for in their wrenches and what accessories can improve work efficiency.

Application Range: Torque Wrenches are a Fit in Every Heavy Duty Industry

Hydraulic torque wrenches are a good fit for any industry that relies on heavy duty fastening. Construction and maintenance teams are the most frequent users and may utilize the equipment in the following:

Building construction
Bridge construction
O&G pipeline construction
Hydroelectric construction
Power plant construction
Mining equipment construction
Heavy vehicle construction
Aircraft and naval construction
Stormwater infrastructure construction

Hydraulic torque wrenches are involved in many forms of heavy construction, and they’re also essential for maintaining all of the above. After years of exposures to weather, wear, dust and other stressors, fasteners have a tendency to lock up, making it difficult for maintenance crews to efficiently remove and replace damaged or corroded fasteners. Hydraulic torque wrenches are a reliable solution for applying breakaway levels of force, so frozen nuts, bolts and other fasteners can be removed for maintenance purposes.

The Two Types of Hydraulic Torque wrenches

Hydraulic torque wrenches are available in two primary designs – square drive and low profile wrenches. They’re built for different fastening environments, so for most field crews, the best approach is to invest in both types.

Which type makes the most sense for your operation, though? Here’s a closer look at each:

Square drive wrenches – Square drive wrenches are designed to fit traditional hexagonal sockets. They’re available in a variety of A/F sizes for a variety of nuts, and they’re usually built with a single-body design that offers superior durability. However, they are not appropriate for use in work settings where fasteners are difficult to access. However, they are cost effective for applications where frequent torqueing is required, as they are built for high-cycle ownership.
Low profile wrenches – Low profile wrenches are designed for difficult-to-access fasteners and do not require as much clearance as a standard square drive wrench. When tightening a fastener, low profile wrenches are capable of high torque output and can therefore be used with any nut or bolt that the tool is sized for. And to make sizing easier, low-profile wrenches may be built with an interchangeable cassette design. This allows workers to quickly remove the wrench head and replace it with one that’s appropriately sized for a particular fastener. Some torque wrench models are also compatible with slimline cassettes for extremely low clearance applications.

Maintaining a variety of wrench bodies and cassettes means your field personnel will be ready for fasteners of any size and torque setting.

Feature Set: Which Features to Target in a Hydraulic Torque Wrench

Hydraulic bolting systems are subjected to intense amounts of force and wear on a daily basis, so durability is a critical feature to have in a torque wrench. This bolting equipment applies extreme amounts of force, so safety is another critical consideration.

To maximize both, it’s important to target the right features when selecting a hydraulic torque wrench. Here’s what to look for:

Steel body construction, which maximizes the wrench’s impact and wear resistance.
Nickel plated components, which are corrosion resistant and built for high-wear or hazardous environments.
Adaptive slide positioning, which means the rotating wrench head automatically adjusts to the angle against the piston and minimizes wear during cycling.
High quality reaction pad (for low profile wrenches) materials, such as hardened steel. As the reaction pad is what receives much of the load during torque, it’s a potential failure point if not built with durable construction in mind.
Simple drive assembly, which improves reliability and reduces the need for frequent maintenance.
Enclosed drive system, which minimizes the number of pinch points and protects operators.
An internal relief valve, which reduces the likelihood of over-pressurization during operation.
Remote operation functionality, which allows operators to maintain a safe distance during torquing.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of every feature to look for. Working with a hydraulic power expert can help work crews target additional durability, safety, and usability features that best meet the crew’s needs.

Additional Components and Accessories for Hydraulic Torque Wrenches

Hydraulic torque wrenches rely on power delivered from an attached pump during operation, connected via pump hoses. It’s critical to match the right hydraulic pump to the torque wrench, as torque values are directly derived from the pump’s flow rate. As such, the attached pump should allow for precise pressure setting and maintain high flow rates even when set to high pressure values (~10,000 psi). Further, the pump must be designed for double-acting operation.

Aside from the pump and wrench body/head, there are a couple of additional hydraulic torque wrench accessories to consider, including:

Reducers – Reducers extend the torque wrench’s functional range and allow operators to access nuts that would otherwise be impossible to socket. Each reducer is designed to fit a small range of A/F sizes, which gives operators a bit more flexibility when they encounter the unexpected while on the job.
Reaction arms/paddles – Every hydraulic torque wrench needs a reaction point to apply force against. Reaction arms and paddles ensure this reaction point is accessible, no matter how unusual the fastening setting is. Reaction arms provide extended reach when locating a reaction point, while reaction paddles allow for offset reacting within the wrench’s profile.

Hydraulic Torque Wrenches Provide Precise Power for Fastening and Maintenance Purposes

Hydraulic torque wrenches are portable, power-packed tools that extend the capabilities of assembly and maintenance crews. Choosing the best fit, though, can be a challenge. For every fastening application, there are several wrench models to choose from, each intended for a certain range of fastener sizes. There’s also the pump to consider, as well as cassettes, reducers, and reaction solutions. In all, work crews can put together their ideal torque wrench system in hundreds of ways.

A reputable hydraulic equipment supplier can help field teams sort through their available wrench options and identify the optimal bolting solution for their needs.