3.5” Drive Sockets?

[kxxr]

Browsing eBay, I see Wright Tool 85834 - 2-1/2Inch Drive 6 Point Standard Impact Socket - 4-1/4Inch listed for thousands of dollars. What tool is used to drive such a these giant sockets? Wright Tool lists drive sizes up to 3.5” on their sockets but I don’t see anything that big in the drive tools.

 

[neophyte]

There are giant hydraulic and/or pneumatic wrenches that drive the large sockets.
These wrenches and sockets are used for karge industrial applications, and structures, and on things like shops, were a day of down time can easily be $100,000.

 

[kxxr]

Thanks. That helps to picture how they’re used. I saw photos of single sockets for $14,000. There was nothing in the picture to show scale but they must be huge. 3.5” drive, 10 1/2” socket looks like any other if there’s nothing to compare. I have not seen any like that. Thanks again.

 

[seber]

Check out power dams. You will see a lot of really big fasteners. The more modern approach is to use multiple drive fasteners to secure a single nut.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Pretty sure I have seen some of those larger ones used on oil rigs etc.

I would hate the weight of at least 24" of adapters, to try to turn that socket with a 1/4" ratchet.

 

[Shiftless]

Pretty sure I have seen some of those larger ones used on oil rigs etc.

I would hate the weight of at least 24" of adapters, to try to turn that socket with a 1/4" ratchet.

Ha ha
Take pictures and show them to the SnapOn driver when you make that warranty claim on the ratchet. Video the transaction and post a link here please.

Why would the ratchet break just because I used a 10 foot long steel pipe cheater?

 

[Steve_P]

Most stuff that large uses a stud and then you stretch the stud with a hydraulic tensioner and the nut is installed hand tight. I can't imagine they're selling too many 2.5" drive sockets these days.

 

[four.cycle]

When you're ready to get serious about tools:

Imperial-Newton / Imperial-Newton Corp., Centennial, CO / https://www.imperial-newton.com/ / large industrial only - 1 " minimum size on sockets and wrenches /

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

There are giant hydraulic and/or pneumatic wrenches that drive the large sockets.

How much torque do these generate?

The more modern approach is to use multiple drive fasteners to secure a single nut.

What does this mean? That the nut is just threaded on but not tight, and other fasteners used to keep it there?

 

[Steve_P]

How much torque do these generate?


What does this mean? That the nut is just threaded on but not tight, and other fasteners used to keep it there?

Achieve High Preloads with Ease Using Superbolt® Mechanical Tensioners

Discover how Superbolt® mechanical tensioners offer a simple yet powerful solution for achieving the highest preloads in critical bolted joints. With a proven track record of success in the world's most challenging environments, Superbolt® products ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability.

www.nord-lock.com

We also used these. Install by hand and then tighten a bazillion smaller fasteners that stretch the stud or shank. Simple idea, one of those, "why didn't I think of that" designs. So instead of tightening one fastener to 1000 lbf-ft, you tighten twenty to 50 lbf-ft to get similar elongation. We used these in confined spaces where there was no room for a 6'+ torque wrench, which we also had.

 

[afazz]

Most of those big sockets are used on a hydraulic torque wrenches. One of the most common brands, and the general slang term for these devices, is Hytorc. The 3-1/2" drive Hytorc Avanti model goes up to 138,510 foot pounds, which should be enough for most bridges and skyscrapers. As stated above, multi-jackbolts and stud tensioners are also quite common in these large bolted assemblies for infrastructure projects.

AVANTI | Hydraulic Torque Wrenches | HYTORC

Our widest range of torque output available in a single tool. The industry's trusted solution for next-generation bolting.

www.hytorc.com

RSQ28000ST

RSQ28000ST, Square Drive Hydraulic Torque Wrench Set, 28002 ft. lbs Torque, 2 1/2 in. Square Drive

www.enerpac.com

Loading...

b2b.snapon.com

Square Drive _RT-25 - RT Square drive tools | Atlas Copco

Square Drive _RT-25

www.atlascopco.com

Mid-size stuff (1" drive) can be used with a torque multiplier or large pneumatic impact gun

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[Beerhippie]

The Fremont Bridge in Portland, OR was built in the early '70s. The final part of the process was raising the pre-fab center span, which was done with HUGE nuts on HUGE threaded rods. I was barely a teen back then and tried to, but couldn't, lift one of the nuts! It took a week or so of constant work with huge pass-through hydraulically-driven sockets.

That was over fifty years ago, but my memory is like a steel trap (rusty), so I'm sticking to my story.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

The 3-1/2" drive Hytorc Avanti model goes up to 138,510 foot pounds

187,794 Nm in case anyone else would need to look up the conversion.

Those 4000 Nm cordless 1" drive impacts are nothing! https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/GWT10Z

 

[jblnut]

Any wrench can be a hydraulic wrench if you have the proper equipment. This happens to be a hydraulic driven 48” pipe wrench.

 

[Snapped-off]

Achieve High Preloads with Ease Using Superbolt® Mechanical Tensioners

Discover how Superbolt® mechanical tensioners offer a simple yet powerful solution for achieving the highest preloads in critical bolted joints. With a proven track record of success in the world's most challenging environments, Superbolt® products ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability.

www.nord-lock.com

We also used these. Install by hand and then tighten a bazillion smaller fasteners that stretch the stud or shank. Simple idea, one of those, "why didn't I think of that" designs. So instead of tightening one fastener to 1000 lbf-ft, you tighten twenty to 50 lbf-ft to get similar elongation. We used these in confined spaces where there was no room for a 6'+ torque wrench, which we also had.

I think the only place I've seen these in person is on the 3" countermeasure launchers on a sub.

 

[Steve_P]

I think the only place I've seen these in person is on the 3" countermeasure launchers on a sub.

We use these a lot. It's a slow process, but it works great. We use the hydraulic stud tensioning method with "long pole" tools typically where we cannot send a human into because of radiation exposure. So, we can lower a tensioner on a pole that's supported from small bridge crane, use cameras- also on poles, and... tighten stuff without sending a human into a cavity of death.

Edit- I don't remember anything over 2" diameter. But plenty of stuff from 1-2", and UN and UNF.

 

[Snapped-off]

We use these a lot. It's a slow process, but it works great. We use the hydraulic stud tensioning method with "long pole" tools typically where we cannot send a human into because of radiation exposure. So, we can lower a tensioner on a pole that's supported from small bridge crane, use cameras- also on poles, and... tighten stuff without sending a human into a cavity of death.

Edit- I don't remember anything over 2" diameter. But plenty of stuff from 1-2", and UN and UNF.

The launcher tubes are 3". Not sure what size the superbolts were.

 

[whateg01]

Any chance that could remove a stuck wheel?