Converting Force Pounds to Foot Pound of Max Torque When Using a Hydraulic Tong Torque Gauge

Using a Tong Line Pull Gauge to Read Max Torque

A Tong Line Pull Gauge reads hydraulic pressure in force/ pounds.

In order to know max torque to make up and break out oilfield pipe, a driller will need to convert
force/ pounds to foot/ pounds.

The following formula will make the conversion easy.

Variables needed

> Force/ pound of maximum torque required

> handle length of tong in feet

Given the following variables and constants

Variables

> Tong Handle Length = 34 inches

> Max Torque Required = 18,000

Constant

> 12 inches = 1 foot

Step 1

Convert Handle Length from inches to feet

34 inches/ 12 inches = 2.83 feet (handle length in feet is 2.83 feet)

Step 2

Divide Max Torque by Handle Length in Feet

Max Torque/ Handle Length in feet = tong line pull reading

18,000/ 2.83 = 6360.42 tong line pull reading

Result

If the Driller maintains the reading 6360.42 on the tong line pull gauge, then he will be able to read
the max torque of 18,000 foot/ pounds