Rapid-Torc - FAQ

Please feel free to contact us for any question:

Click on a question below for answers.

1. What is the difference between Hytorc and Rapid-Torc?
2. How to choose a professional Hydraulic Torque Wrench?
3. How can I work faster with my Hydraulic Torque Wrenches?
4. Why is a calibration certificate important?
5. Do I need a RT or RTX for my application?
6. Can I get an accurate torque with a hydraulic torque wrench?
7. What is the best, a Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner or a Hydraulic Torque Wrench for my application?
8. What kind of maintenance is required for your Hydraulic Torque wrenches?
9. How often should I change the pump’s oil?
10. What is the advantage of a Hydraulic Torque Wrench versus an Impact Wrench?
11. Are impact sockets very important when using Hydraulic Torque Wrenches?
12.Can Rapid-Torc be hired to do our bolting work?

1 What is the difference between Hytorc and Rapid-Torc?

Rapid-Torc tools RT & RTX series are compatible respectively with Hytorc XLT & XLCT Series. This means that conversion chart pressure/torque are identical. From that point tools are able to work together on the same application (multi-tool application on a flange). All parts are compatible, meaning that Rapid-Torc can fix Hytorc tools, which is a good news for a customer who wants to shrink his maintenance budget. This is a great advantage for Hytorc customers who finally get an alternative on the service, price and on delivery time. Rapid-Torc’s quality meets the highest standard of the industry.

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2 How to choose a professional Hydraulic Torque Wrench?

The professionals must choose an aircraft quality aluminum tool for the flexibility with a one-way ratchet, a 360x180 Swivel and a safe reaction arm attachment, as a minimum requirement. A one-way ratchet system will allow having hand free system operation, meaning that the technicians will not be handling the tools during operation. A 360x180 Swivel allows to protect couplers, hoses, and to fit the tool wherever it’s needed. An orientable reaction arm with 60 positions is very important to be able to fit the reaction point at its best. The Rapid-Torc reaction arm attachment is absolutely not breakable and cannot be damaged by time.

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3. How can I work faster with my Hydraulic Torque Wrenches?

A Hydraulic Torque Wrench can be assimilated to a double effect piston. To run the piston faster the oil flow is critical. This oil flow is generated by a 10 K psi hydraulic pump. The bigger the oil flow, the faster the pump and the faster the tool. This is why it is important to pay attention to the choice of the hydraulic pump. However, the speed of the tool could be limited by different factors such the swivel size, the coupler size, the length of the hydraulic hoses and the length of a pneumatic remote control line. Most hydraulic pumps on the market are double stage 10Kpsi pumps. Rapid-Torc offers a unique Multi Stage variable piston pump, which makes Rapid-Torc the best pump on the market today.

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4 Why is a calibration certificate important?

If the company you work with is an I.S.O. 9001-2008 company, calibration is an obligation within your I.S.O. system. A calibration certificate is very important for a company for traceability and safety purposes. To tight an ammonia reactor or a “critical path” flange in a nuclear Submarine, the right torque is important not only for the operator or the company but also for hundreds or thousands of people living around in the same area. A leak can generate catastrophic problems. ISO 9001-2008 recommends a verification of each dynamometric tool at least once a year. Rapid-Torc owns two laboratories to perform all calibrations and to generate certifications: The first one is located in Houston, Texas and the other one in Brussels, Belgium.

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5. Do I need a RT or RTX for my application?

RT is a square drive tool, the operator will need to use a high quality impact socket to run this tool. RT series is a universal style and the most frequently used. RTX series is a low profile tool using mainly low profile ratchet link. Where you fit just a slugging wrench, you will be able to fit a RTX tool. RTX series will be mainly used for limited space constraints applications.

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6. Can I get an accurate torque with my hydraulic torque wrench?

Hydraulic Torque Wrenches are very accurate tools. Rapid-Torc supplies calibration certificates for each and every wrench. Rapid-Torc certifies that the torque output is as good as +/-3% of the tool specification. In other words, the tool with 5,000 ft.lbs capacity is certified to be between 5,015 and 4,985 ft.lbs. The torque value set up is done by adjustment of the high pressure regulating valve of the hydraulic pump. Each wrench has a torque/pressure specific conversion chart.

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7. What is the best, a Hydraulic Bolt Tensioners or a Hydraulic Torque wrenches for my application?

Hydraulic Bolt Tensioners are made for tensioning and Hydraulic Torque Wrenches made for torquing. The two methods are very good as far as the procedures are correct.

When speaking about torquing with hydraulic torque wrenches, few points are critical such as: washer, lubrication, friction coefficient, threads, pump’s gauge calibration, flange nut face, length of studs bolt, procedure of torque installment, etc.

When speaking about tensioning few points are critical such as: original or existing studs length, relaxation, measurement of the elongation, calculation of the residual stud load, procedure of load installation, numbers of tensioner to be used, gauge calibration, safety question for 25,000 PSI pressure, etc

Tensioning is not recommended on very short studs and Torquing is not recommended on very long stud bolts. Finally, Tensioning demands more investment than Torquing.

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8. What kind of maintenance is required for your Hydraulic Torque wrenches?

Maintenance on Hydraulic Torque Wrenches is very simple and consists of keeping the tool clean after each major use, to check for any damage visible before restoring the tool, to disassemble the tool for cleaning and adding new seal kits each year. As you see, it’s very simple!

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9. How often should I change the pumps oil?

You should change it each year if you are using the tool once a week. Each two months if the tool is working once a day. Each week if the tool is working 3 shifts a day.

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10. What’s the advantage of a Hydraulic Torque Wrench versus an Impact Wrench?

During the assembly time, the Hydraulic Torque Wrench is a Dynamometric tool within 3% accuracy. An impact wrench is not a dynamometric tool and generates lot of vibration for the operator. During disassembly time, Impact wrench is the best support to finish the breakout job of the hydraulic torque wrench.

During assembly time, a small impact wrench is welcome to sit nuts before to use the Hydraulic torque wrench. The daily use of impact wrenches is now limited. Exposure to vibration from power tools is by far the greatest concern. Hand-held power tools such as impact wrenches can cause "hand-arm vibration syndrome." This disorder is also known as "vibration-induced white finger", "hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)", or "Raynaud's phenomenon of occupational origin." Raynaud's phenomenon, however, is only one aspect of the hand-arm vibration syndrome. Vibration also damages nerves, muscles, bones and joints of the hand and arm.

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11. Are impact sockets very important when using Hydraulic Torque Wrenches?

Impact socket are extremely important. Rapid-Torc Impact sockets are produce in Sweden with the best process worldwide including respect of all ISO 14000 environmental norms. When the tool is torquing just few inches from the face of the operator, no needs to promote high quality impact socket. At Rapid-Torc, we know where are made our socket. They are lifetime guaranty. Rapid-Torc sockets are called “unbreakable” just because if you break one time…it’s too late.

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12.Can Rapid-Torc be hired to do our bolting work?

Rapid-Torc can be hired to do your bolting work, just gives us a call! All models are in stock 24/7

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