On the rig floor, your Power Tong is like your toughest crew member — working long hours, handling high torque, and doing the dirty jobs without complaining. But even the toughest tools need care. Ignore it, and you’re not just risking downtime — you’re risking damaged threads, safety incidents, and a five-figure replacement bill.
This is not your average checklist. This is a no-nonsense, field-ready guide to keeping your power tong in top form — from daily routines to long-term performance hacks.
1. Treat It Like a Precision Instrument, Not Just a Chunk of Steel
Yes, your tong looks like a beast. But inside are hydraulic valves, torque sensors, seals, and bearings that need finesse. Maintenance is not just grease and go — it’s a mindset.
Start with this:
“A well-maintained tong doesn’t just last longer — it runs safer, faster, and with fewer surprises.”
2. Daily Pre-Shift Checklist: 5-Minute Ritual, Big-Time Payoff
Before every operation, run through this quick routine:
- ✅ Inspect dies and jaws: Look for wear, cracks, or missing teeth. Replace anything worn — worn dies kill grip.
- ✅ Check hydraulic lines: Look for leaks, swelling, or chafing. One leak could become a pressure drop disaster.
- ✅ Test torque calibration (if digital): Make sure it’s reading true. Drifting sensors = bad makeups.
- ✅ Grease pivot points and rotation gears: Use high-pressure grease as recommended. Dry metal-on-metal eats through parts fast.
- ✅ Cycle the tong: Run it through open-close and spin functions. Listen for unusual noise, feel for sluggish movement.
3. Weekly Deep Dive: Go Beneath the Surface
- 🔧 Check torque limiter settings: Especially after high-torque jobs. A single over-torque incident can throw off calibration.
- 🔧 Inspect backup tong (if separate): Ensure synchronization is still tight and backup jaws aren’t worn.
- 🔧 Clean control panel or remote unit: Dust and oil buildup can cause faulty readings or sticky buttons.
- 🔧 Flush hydraulic fluid (if cloudy or dark): Contaminated fluid is the #1 killer of power tong motors.
4. The 500-Hour Rule: Your Lifecycle Milestone
Just like an oil change for your truck, your tong needs scheduled service based on usage hours.
At every 500 hours (or manufacturer recommendation):
- ✅ Replace hydraulic seals and filters
- ✅ Inspect internal bearings
- ✅ Re-torque structural bolts
- ✅ Review performance logs (if digital)
- ✅ Replace worn dies and pins
Pro Tip: Use a QR code sticker to log hours and link to a cloud-based maintenance record. Simple, scalable, smart.
5. Store It Like You Care
When idle, don’t leave your tong lying in the mud like a forgotten wrench.
- Cover it with a weatherproof tarp
- Store indoors or on a rack if possible
- Bleed hydraulic pressure before shutdown
- Keep all jaws slightly open (not clamped shut)
A clean, dry tong lives longer — period.
6. Train the Crew, Not Just the Mechanic
Your tong is only as good as the people who use it.
- Teach operators how to identify early signs of wear
- Make pre-checks part of the shift protocol
- Put laminated inspection cards on-site
- Empower your crew to report minor issues before they become big problems
Final Thoughts: Respect the Tool, Reap the Rewards
A power tong doesn’t ask for much — just routine attention, timely replacement of wear parts, and proper storage. In return, it gives you thousands of hours of reliable torque, faster turnarounds, and fewer headaches.
At BESDRILL, we don’t just sell power tongs — we help you make them last. Contact us for replacement parts, service kits, or digital torque systems to bring your tong into the next era of smart drilling.