Hi-Force Hydraulics, the leading UK manufacturer of high pressure hydraulic tools, has announced the launch of its new heavy duty Hydraulic torque wrench, the TWS 800.

The TWS 800 develops an enormous 80,524 newton metres (59,401 ft lbs) of torque - more than twice the capacity of Hi Force's next biggest model, the TWS 370, and has the highest capacity of any hydraulic torque wrench currently available in the region.

''The TWS 800 is ideal for shutdown maintenance and turnarounds in the oil, gas and petrochemical processing industries,'' said Kevin Brown, CEO of Hi-Force.

''It will tighten - or loosen nuts or bolts with head sizes up to 175mm AF (6.7/8" AF) and is the perfect tool for the huge condensers, high pressure vessels and heat exchangers we find in the major installations in this region. In particular, the TWS 800 comes into its own when breaking out corroded or locked bolts when conventional methods or smaller hydraulic torque wrenches cannot do the job,'' he explained.

The Hi-Force TWS series of lightweight aluminium hydraulic torque wrenches are specifically designed for applications where limited space and/or particularly high output torque is required and are designed to handle the toughest bolting jobs accurately and quickly.

Manufactured predominantly from high grade aluminium alloy, the tools' compact uni-body design provides the maximum strength - and torque output - to weight ratio in the industry. All models provide a torque accuracy of +/- three per cent with a handy torque chart clearly engraved on the tool.

The unique internal reaction arm allows the operator to easily position the tool and, if necessary, react directly off the tool body itself in cases where access is very confined. Double-axis swivel quick connect hydraulic couplings are fitted as standard to all models, enabling easy positioning of the hydraulic hoses away from possible ''pinch points''.

In another industry 'first' Hi-Force will shortly be introducing on-site equipment testing and certification services to the UAE market. A full range of testing equipment for hydraulic and pneumatic tools will be installed in the Hi-Force dedicated test vehicle, which can then be driven direct to the customer's premises.

As Brown says, ''we aim to eliminate the disruption caused to our customers by sending their hydraulic and pneumatic tools away for test and calibration. Instead our Hi-Force Test Vehicles will come to the customer location bringing all the essential equipment to carry out comprehensive tests on-site, thus limiting down-time and loss of productivity.

''All products assessed on the Test Vehicle will receive the same care and attention as would be employed at one of our test and services centres. This is reinforced by the issue of test certificates traceable to UK National Standards for every item successfully completing test and assessment.''

Hi-Force manufactures a wide range of high pressure hydraulic tools and equipment including hand and powered pumps, cylinders, puller kits, nut splitters, spreaders, jacks, torque tools, stud bolt tensioners, hydrotest pumps, impact wrenches, cutters, cable crimpers, hole punchers, moving skates, presses and a full range of accessories.

Hi-Force will be show-casing its full range of products at the forthcoming ADIPEC show in Abu Dhabi in mid-October 2002.