Hydraulic Torque Wrench Top Tips

A hydraulic torque wrench is a precision instrument designed to tighten bolt heads on excavator tracks, tower crane assemblies, foundation connections and various other applications.

To guarantee the best performance of a hydraulic torque wrench, a proper maintenance and calibration schedule should be followed as well as operating guidelines. 

Guidelines are provided for acceptable torque ranges, the order in which specific bolts are tightened and the number of times a fastener must be tightened to ensure uniform torque application. These guidelines should be adhered to prevent equipment damage and personal injury.

With the correct care, a hydraulic torque wrench will provide accurate measurements for many years, saving on overall costs.

Best Practice

It is important to follow the correct maintenance and best practice procedures listed below:

1. Safety glasses/goggles should be worn at all times when using any hand operated tool.
2. Inspect equipment prior to use to ensure there are no worn, cracked areas on the equipment. Replace immediately if weaknesses are visible.
3. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding: torque direction, force, torque pattern/sequence/ use of lubrication and torque cycles.
4. Never exceed the recommended working range of the torque wrench.
5. Avoid dropping a torque wrench. Dropping a torque wrench on a hard surface can affect calibration. If the calibration is off, the set torque value or reading viewed on the wrench will not reflect the true value.
6. Only use a torque wrench in the final assembly process. Do not use it as the primary means of removing or installing fasteners as damage could be caused and it may need recalibrating sooner.
7. Apply torque in a slow methodical manner. Fast or jerky movements can cause the applied torque to be higher or lower than desired and possibly damage the torque wrench.
8. Always set a click-type torque wrench to the manufacturers torque setting when storing it. If the setting is not specified, set it to the lowest value on the scale.
9. Most torque wrenches are length specific so always grasp the wrench in the centre of the handle. If two hands are needed, place one hand on top of the other.
10. Never use a hammer with a wrench unless the wrench was specifically designed for such a purpose.
11. When the wrench signals (clicking/beeping/lights) that a specific torque has been reached, stop pulling immediately.
12. A torque wrench should be recalibrated when a certain amount of time or number of cycles have been reached as specified by the manufacturer.
13. Never use cheater bars or handle extensions unless they are advised by the torque wrench manufacturer.
14. Store torque wrenches in a clean and dry, protected area.
15. Avoid marking, etching or placing labels on torque wrenches.

Ultimate Supplier

HTL, as manufacturers, realise that precise torque control can mean the difference between a safe, reliable, and economical product. Therefore, have their own premium range of controlled bolting equipment readily available for hire or sale.

With customer first solutions including the innovative 3-in-1 Hydraulic Torque wrench and the largest rental fleet in the UK, HTL have a solution readily available to suit any requirement.

Contact us for an instant quote or for more information.

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