MRO Today - Pneumatic Impact Wrenches

Pneumatic impact wrenches

From 50 to 1,100 foot pounds, these 1/2-inch air impacts offer power and durability

by Tom Hammel

Pneumatic impact wrenches perform countless functions around the plant both in assembly and maintenance. The 1/2-inch impact wrenches reviewed here are in many ways the babies of the impact family. Ranging between 3.95 and 7.2 pounds, these lightweight workhorses are among the most commonly used air tools on the plant floor. Here is our head-to-head roundup of the current “pick of the litter” industry-standard tools.

ATP Hy-Tech
Made in the USA, ATP’s 1/2-inch ATP5040 Series impact wrench delivers 250 foot-pounds of working torque for heavy-duty maintenance and assembly applications. Its “rocking dog” clutch is designed for either soft or hard pull-up jobs, with a super fast run down. The three piece housing provides easy access to all moving parts while the oil bath clutch provides constant lubrication for added durability. The 5040 is available in three styles: ring retainer, pin retainer or 7/16-inch quick change chuck. Item160

Chicago Pneumatic
Chicago Pneumatic’s Model CPTurbo 7750-2.0 1/2-inch Extreme Duty air impact wrench delivers 50 to 550 foot-pounds of working torque (800 foot-pounds maximum in reverse) while consuming 31 percent less air than its predecessor. It has a four-position power regulator with two settings in forward and two in reverse and weighs 5.1 pounds. Item161

Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand’s new 2135TiMAX delivers maximum power with 1,100 foot-pounds of nut-busting torque — 780 foot-pounds in reverse — yet weighs only 3.95 pounds. It delivers the best power-to-weight ratio in its class with less operator fatigue. A twin-hammer mechanism delivers more power per pound. Its feather-touch trigger and patented power regulator with enhanced settings help ensure operators don’t over-torque critical joints.

For added durability it features titanium hammer cases, hard-coat anodized end plates and both proprietary metallurgy and heat treatment processes. It carries a two-year warranty with tool registration. Item162

Maxus
The Model MXT60200AV from Maxus offers 50 to 400 foot-pounds of working torque (500 foot-pounds maximum) and a twin hammer design for smooth, balanced impact. An integrated power regulator and forward/reverse mechanism provides excellent control of speed and torque. A Santoprene grip provides increased comfort during extended tool use. It weighs 6.5 pounds and carries a five-year limited warranty. Item163

Porter-Cable
The PT502 1/2-inch impact wrench for general assembly and shop maintenance offers a maximum of 500-foot-pounds of torque and carries a two-year limited warranty. It features a durable twin-hammer impact mechanism, a variable-speed trigger for precise control and an ergonomic grip for more comfort and less fatigue. It weighs 7.1 pounds. Item164

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