What size of tong do I need?
Tong size is determined by range of tubulars you will run. A 5-1/2 Hydra-Shift® is capable of running tubulars 5-1/2-inches and smaller while the 14 UHT is capable of running tubulars 14-inches and smaller. It is important not to use a large range of sizes with just one tong. If you have a 10-3/4 Standard and you regularly run 4-1/2-inch tubing with this tong, you might consider using a smaller tong.
What is the advantage of wrap-around dies verses rig or contour dies?
Wrap-Around dies offer a much larger surface contact on the tubular. This distributes the force uniformly around the tubular eleminating needless pipe damage.
What are the effects of PSI pressure?
PSI pressure determines the maximum torque the tong will be able to reach. Eckel rates their tongs at 2500 PSI. A competitor with a similiar sized tong may show more torque due to a higher PSI from the power unit however the industry standard is 2500 PSI.
What are the effects of GPM?
Gallon Per Minute determines the rotational speed of the tong. A low GPM will cause the tong to operate at a lower speed with a lower RPM while a high GPM will cause the tong to operate at a higer speed with a high RPM. Eckel offers an RPM Control which is a flow divider to decreatse the amount ofhydraulic fluid that reaches the tong, the remaining fluid is returned to the reservoir. By decreasing the amount of fluid reaching the tong the operator is able to control themaximum RPM's the tong will deliver.
Why is important for the backup to mount closely to the tong?
Close spacing between the backup and tong is desirable to insure the closest distance of contact between the dies and pipe. This is particularimportant with drill pipe where short tool joints may be encountered. Close spacing is also is beneficial to reduce the possiblity of bending the tubular between the tong and backup.
What is the purpose of a snubline?
Without a snubline the tong would not be able to rotate the pipe but instead rotate around the pipe which is a very dangerous situation. For safety purposes Eckel recommends the tong to have two snublines in both directions at 90 degrees. A tension load cell can also be mounted on the pulling side of the tong which will provide accurate torque measurement.
What determines the handle length of a tong?
The handle length is determined by measuring from the tong center of pipe to the line pull cylinder mounts to the rear of the tong. If a backup is mounted underneath the tong the handle length will change and will be the distance from the center of pipe to the center of the compression poing of the load cell.
How does a door interlock work?
The door interlock is a safety device that Eckel offers. The door interlock blocks hydraulic fluid from reaching the motor preventing tong operation anytime the door is open. Most customers prefer a series door interlock that only shuts down the tong motor allowing other hydraulic functions to continue to operate such as the lift cylinder.
What is Eckel's warranty ?
Eckel provides a one year warranty on it's products. Warranty Information
