Pneumatic Vs Cordless

[marrmanu]

I will be replacing the output seal in a Land Pride RCR 1248. The torque on the castle nut is 450 #s. I want to purchase a impact wrench that can handle this. Looking for some suggestions/recommendations, pneumatic or cordless?
Thx Mike

 

[Old Machinist]

Pneumatic requires more than just the gun for that kind of torque. You will also need a high volume of air.

I have a 1" HF air wrench. I encountered a hydraulic piston bolt it couldn't touch with my small compressor and 3/8" hose and fittings. I couldn't even budge it with a 6 footer cheater bar on a 3/4" pull handle. I took it to a yellow JD dealer where the mechanic used the exact wrench I have on a high volume, high pressure line and zapped it right out.

On the last cylinder I rebuilt I bought a 1/2" air hose and the largest fitting to adapt it to the gun. The HF gun only has a 3/8" NPT thread inlet. I have a small portable compressor that only goes to 130 PSI but it has a 1/2" NPT inlet that I teed into for a 1/2" coupler. That combination got the last piston bolt I removed loose on the third try.

If you already have a compressor with at least a 1/2" port on the tank you can get by with a 1" HF gun and large diameter air hose. Higher pressure is better but volume is the main consideration even though it's just for a short blast. Just factor those costs into the different tools.

 

[Elliott in GA]

For the money and the power, I bought the Ryobi 1/2 inch impact wrench. If you use a 6 Ah or above battery, you will have 700+ removal and 450+ install power. Check out the Torque Test channel youtube for tests/ratings of all types of cordless.

An example:

18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-Mode 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench Kit

The RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless line of products is redefining power and performance. The 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-Mode 1/2 in. High Torque Impact Wrench...

www.ryobitools.com

 

[chim]

Haven't had any nuts say "no" to my DeWalt DCF899.

 

[Old Machinist]

Haven't had any nuts say "no" to my DeWalt DCF899.

That's some impressive specs on that tool.

20V MAX* XR® High Torque 1/2 in. Impact Wrench With Detent Pin Anvil (Tool Only)

The DCF899B 20V MAX* XR Brushless High Torque 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil is powerful and versatile for various fastening applications. It is designed for comfort, speed control, and working in dark spaces. Battery & Charger Sold Separately

www.dewalt.com

I have to wonder how much torque a 1/2" anvil can take before it breaks?

 

[chim]

That's some impressive specs on that tool.

20V MAX* XR® High Torque 1/2 in. Impact Wrench With Detent Pin Anvil (Tool Only)

The DCF899B 20V MAX* XR Brushless High Torque 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil is powerful and versatile for various fastening applications. It is designed for comfort, speed control, and working in dark spaces. Battery & Charger Sold Separately

www.dewalt.com

I have to wonder how much torque a 1/2" anvil can take before it breaks?

Short story. Did a side by side test with it and a Milwaukee high torque on Gradall lug nuts that gave our mechanic headaches. It was a tie.

 

[Russell King]

You may want to look at torque multipliers instead if it is not a corroded joint.

 

[Old Machinist]

Check out this review on the DeWalt DCF900.

For a few grand you can get one of the Hytorc impacts they used to set the torque specs with.

 

[jyoutz]

I have this one and it’s awesome.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-12-in-high-torque-impact-wrench-tool-only-59398.html?utm_source=go&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shortener

 

[Elliott in GA]

DeWalt 899, Flex and Milwaukee tested on Torque Channel. Like all tools, you see the difference between claimed and real world.

 

[Elliott in GA]

You may want to look at torque multipliers instead if it is not a corroded joint.

I was looking at Torque Multipliers, before I bought the Ryobi that I posted above. A decent one, like the Neiko Pro, was the same cost as the Ryobi. Which was still reason to consider the multiplier for the more accurate torquing during reattachment.

However, I saw several tests using multipliers (Torque Test Channel and others), the error factor of the multipliers was usually 20+ %. The high end multipliers were exact, but they cost about a grand.

FWIW, that is what I saw. YMMV

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I've been very happy for a few years with my Milwaukee M18 cordless with 1/2" drive. I'm pretty much done with dragging an airline around with my tools.

But resetting the nut or bolt torque accurately will require a large torque wrench.

Nothing beats a breaker bar with a pipe extension for removal. If you can fit it in where it needs to be.

 

[marrmanu]

Thanks all. Just ordered the DeWalt DCF900. Even though I have a 60 gal 175psi compressor I liked the mobility of the cordless.

Thx again for all the great replies!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have all Milwaukee tools, I always say real friends do let you operate a green tractors, use yellow tools, or a own a Ford!

 

[lmichael]

Got rid of all my air tools. Went Bosch and DeWalt 3/8" and 1/2" impacts. Gave the Bosch 18V 1/2" to my daughter's boyfriend/partner (whatever they call each other now a days LOL). Got the DeWalt compact impacts in 3/8 and 1/2 size. Don't know the specs. Don't care. Haven't found anything they can't rip apart yet.
Don't ignore the quality of the socket(s) being used and their actual "fit" on the fastener. An ill fitting or worn socket will make you think you have a wimpy impact tool.

 

[Mowbizz]

I have all Milwaukee tools, I always say real friends do let you operate a green tractors, use yellow tools, or a own a Ford!

I have switched to all Milwaukee tools over last 5-6 years except for my air tools which are basically for one job…sharpening my mower blades. Oh and I’ve owner FORD trucks all my life and have not had an issue with any of them. I hear GM stuff has been “questionable” lately.

 

[Botamon]

I've been very happy for a few years with my Milwaukee M18 cordless with 1/2" drive. I'm pretty much done with dragging an airline around with my tools.

Same here. Once I bought my Milwaukee M18 my IR air impact has not been used. The M18 is so much handier and as far as I can tell, at least as powerful. It will zip off the nuts holding the blades on my rotary cutter (takes a 1-5/16" socket) easily.

 

[Mowbizz]

Have to start looking for a 1/2” drive Milwaukee then…sounds like they are up to the tasks!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm sort of a Milwaukee nutter I even have the self propelled mower.
The wife loves it!
It's a real asset and savings to be able to just get a job done and not have to mess with it for 4 days trying to get it to start and run.
Same reason I like Kubota!

 

[RBsingl]

I bought a Milwaukee 3/4" M18 4 years ago after my 1/2" Ingersol Rand pneumatic powered by a big stationary compressor wouldn't break loose one of the three blade bolts on my Deere 955 midmount mower deck. I had never had a problem before removing them, always use anti-seize, and tried as much heat as I dared before giving up on the pneumatic impact.

So I got cleaned up and picked up the Milwaukee impact at Farm and Fleet and preparing to be pissed off if that didn't solve the problem. The Milwaukee quickly removed the stubborn bolt with no discernible effort and since then my IR pneumatic hasn't come out of its toolbox drawer. I bought 3/4" drive impact sockets for the blade bolts on my Deere and Kubota decks and a 3/4 to 1/2 impact adapter for other use. The 3/4" Milwaukee I bought has their "one key" control system with four modes so I can set RPM and torque using their smartphone app with four memorized torque/rpm/ipm settings selected from the tool.

Like Wolfman, I am a fan of Milwaukee and have long owned a corded Milwaukee Sawzall and corded hammer drill. I have added Milwaukee's battery grease gun, cutoff tool, and Sawzall to the M18 tools I own.

Rodger