GILL SERVICES, INC.

TECHNICAL MANUAL
GILL MODEL 300M
ROD TONG
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
WITH ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST

Model 300M Serial No.______________________

Customer Reference No._____________________

Gill Services, Inc. 650 Aldine Bender, Houston, TX 77060

Phone: 281-820-5400 Fax: 281-820-0034 Website: www.gillservicesinc.com
 GILL SERVICES, INC.
GILL MODEL 300M
ROD TONG

Features:

Easy to get on and off the rods

Speeds up your trips

Reduces fatigue and possible accidents

Protects rods

Runs off same power unit as tubing tong

The Gill Model 300M Rod Tong has enough power to breakout and make-up 1-1/8”
rods easily. The control is accurate enough to avoid overtorquing rods.

High range has 95 RPM with 850 ft.-lbs. of torque, while low range has in excess of
2300 ft.-lbs. of torque. An adjustable relief valve (conveniently located on top of the
tong) sets the torque desired.

This tong is positioned by a rigid torque arm. The tong jaws engage the rod square
automatically. Release is automatic by reversing tong.
 Gill Services, Inc.
Model 300M Power Tong

Ft.-Lbs. Torque vs PSI

The torques given in this table are Theoretical, Calculated on the Theoretical Torque of a new
Commercial M15H Motor, with normal oil temperature and normal viscosity. Assuming 100%
efficiency.

Right Handle Left Handle Combined (Both)

Ft.-Lbs. Torque Ft.-Lbs. Torque

High Gear Second Gear Ft.-Lbs. Torque
PSI Low Gear
(1-1/2” Section) (2” Section)
O.A. 2-1/4” O.A. 2-3/4” (Both Sections)

750 382 490 871

1000 516 657 1172

1500 770 979 1749

2000 1025 1341 2366

Gill Model 300M Rod Tong
Inner Ring Assemblies and Back-Up
Wrenches, Sucker Rods

Inner Ring
Back-Up Wrench

Jaw Jaw

Jaw Spring Jaw Hinge Pin

 INNER RING SAFETY TOOL
BG27894-10
BG27894-10-5

BG27894-10-11 (2)

WASHER (2)

BG27894-10-8 (2)

BG27894-10-3

BG27894-10-1

BG27894-10-7 (4) BG27894-10-4

BG27894-10-6 (2)

BG27894-10-2
BG27894-10-9
LEFT HAND
ADJUSTMENT PIN

BG27894-10-10
LEFT HAND NUT
 Gill Model 300M
Inner Ring Assemblies and
Back-Up Wrenches, Sucker Rods

Part Number Quantity Req’d. Description

BG27899 1 Inner Ring Assembly 5/8”, ¾” & 7/8” Rod

(Includes items #1-5)

BG27894 1 Inner Ring (Item #1)

BG27900 1 Jaw, 5/8”, ¾”, 7/8” Plain (Item #2)
BG27901 1 Jaw, 5/8”, ¾”, 7/8”, With Lug (Item #3)
BG27897 2 Jaw Spring (Item #4)
BG27722 2 Jaw Hinge Pin (Item #5)

The following items are NOT included in

the Inner Ring Assembly
BG27902 1 Back-Up Wrench, 5/8” Rod
BG27903 1 Back-Up Wrench, ¾” and 7/8” Rod

BG27899-4 1 Inner Ring Assembly, 1” Rod

(Includes items #1-4)
BG27894 1 Inner Ring (Item #1)
BG32967 2 Jaw, 1” (Item #2)
BG27897 2 Jaw Spring (Item #3)
BG27722 2 Jaw Hinge Pin (Item #4)

The following item is NOT included in the

Inner Ring Assembly
BG27906 1 Back-Up Wrench, 1” Rod

BG27899-1 1 Inner Ring Assembly, 1-1/8” Rod

(Includes Items #1-4)
BG27894 1 Inner Ring, 1-1/8” (Item #1)
BG27905 2 Jaw, 1-1/8” (Item #2)
BG27897 2 Jaw Spring (Item #3)
BG27722 2 Jaw Hinge Pin (Item #4)

The following item is NOT included in the

Inner Ring Assembly
BG27907 1 Back-Up Wrench, 1-1/8” Rod
 Gill Services, Inc.
Model 300M Power Tong
Installation
HANGING TONGS
Hang the tong on a suitable line (usually a 9/16”
wire rope) from a point high enough to allow the
tong to swing easily. The tong may be hung over a
sheave either on a fixed line or a counter-weighted
line. There is a spring in the suspension assembly
that will allow the tong to move vertically while the
joint is being made up or broken out, even if the
tong is suspended on a fixed line.
BALANCE ADJUSTMENT
With the tong on the rod, adjust the leveling screw at
the top of the hanger so the tong hangs perfectly
level while threading rods. Adjust the height of the
tong so the jaws in the inner ring are the same height
as the top square of the rods. Adjust turnbuckle as
needed to level tong front to back while on rod.
INNER RING
Check the inner ring (jaw assembly) for size and ro-
tation. Instructions for removal and installation of
the inner ring are included in this manual.
BACK-UP WRENCH
Check the back-up wrench for size. One back-up
wrench fits both 3/4” and 7/8” rods. All other back-
up wrenches fit only one specific rod size.
Install the back-up wrench so it hangs on the back-
up wrench support spring.
HOSES
Connect the hoses with the power hose on the 1” top
connection; and the return line to the 1-1/4” bottom
connection.
SELF-SEALING COUPLINGS
IMPORTANT: Check all hoses to make certain
that the self-sealing couplings are completely
engaged and the hydraulic system is not blocked in
any way.
HYDRAULIC OIL
Check the oil tank level to ensure that there is plenty
of oil in the system. With the hoses properly hooked
up to the tong, engage the pump and allow the oil to
circulate for a few minutes to warm up the tong
before full operation. In cold weather, allow time
for warm-up as you would for an internal
combustion engine.
CAUTION: As with any tool, the Gill Model
300M Rod Tong must be handled with care.
Make no adjustments while hydraulic power is
connected. Keep fingers and hands out of
rotating jaw areas.
WARNING: This product could be hazardous if
improperly used. Misuse of this tool could cause
serious injury to personnel. This tool must be
properly installed and maintained. Do not
remove or alter any parts. Do not weld or alter
without factory authorization. All replacement
parts must be of Gill Services, Inc. manufacture.
 Gill Services, Inc.
Model 300M Power Tong
Operation Troubleshooting
CHANGING DIRECTION OF ROTATION JUMPING OUT OF TIME

Determining Direction of Rotation: The inner ring
rotates a rod in the direction indicated on the top and
bottom of the assembly, just opposite the opening.
The side marked “MAKE” is for making up rods.
The side marked “BREAK” is for breaking out rods.
INNER RINGS WITH INDEXING KNOB.
Rod tong inner rings have an indexing knob on the
side. Its purpose is to prevent installing the inner
ring upside down or out of phase with the outer ring.
The knob makes it necessary to line up the opening
of the inner ring with the opening in the frame, as
described below.
REMOVING THE INNER RING. Rotate the
tong to close the jaws, and stop the rotation when the
opening of the inner ring is 90 degrees from the
opening in the frame. Next, reverse the rotation
enough to free the inner ring from the resisting force
of the brake. The amount of travel is equivalent to
about one tooth on the outer ring. The inner ring is
then free to be lifted out.
NOTE: DISCONNECT HYDRAULIC HOSES
BEFORE REMOVING INNER RING, AND
USE INNER RING SAFETY TOOL TO
REMOVE INNER RING.
REPOSITIONING INNER & OUTER RINGS
The tong can jump out of time if the brake cover
plate becomes loose, allowing the brake drum to
disengage from the inner ring. This problem can also
occur if the brake drum pins have worn down or
moved down until they are too short. Turn the pins
down and drive them back into place, or replace
them with new pins. The pins should extend 1/2”
above the brake drum.
JAWS FAIL TO ACTUATE
This is caused by a worn out brake band, by
interference between the jaws and the inner or outer
ring, or both.
If there is interference between the jaws and the
outer ring, something is probably holding the inner
ring too high, causing the jaws to hit or drag the
inside top of the outer ring. This can be caused by:
1. The brake drum not being down against the
brake cover plate;
2. A brake drum pin sticking up too high; or
3. A jaw pin not evenly spaced in the inner
ring, causing the brake drum pin to contact
it.

1. After removing the inner ring, turn it over. Foreign matter between the brake drum and the inner
DO NOT ROTATE IT. ring can also cause jaw failure. A loose brake cover
2. Rotate the outer ring halfway around (180 plate could also prevent proper actuation of the jaws,
degrees). Carefully line up the outer ring by letting the inner ring set too low. A worn out
roller in the middle of the brake drum brake band can also cause jaws to fail.
opening. Note that outer ring roller is in the
middle of both brake drum and frame
openings.
3. Replace the inner ring. Line up the opening
of the inner ring with the brake drum
opening.
4. When the inner ring is in place it will drop
down over the brake drum pins, and this will
verify correct installation of the inner ring.
 Model 300M Rod Tong
Use, Care & Handling
Sucker Rod Joint Makeup Utilizing Circumferential Displacement

General
4.1 For optimum performance it is imperative that all of the joints
in the string of rods to be made up to a given preload stress level
in order to prevent separation between the pin shoulder and the
coupling face during the pumping cycle. __ ________________________________________________
4.2 There are many inherent variables which affect joint makeup. 1 2 3
Among these are the differences in materials, the smoothness of ________________________________________________
surface finishes and the lubricity of lubricants, as well as the
operating characteristics and mechanical condition of the power
Running New Rerunning
tong equipment. As a result, applied torque has not proven to be Grade D Grades C, D, & K
the most accurate, nor the most practical means of measuring the Displacement Values Displacement Values
preload stress level in a sucker rod joint. Rod Size Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
½ 6/32 8/32 4/32 6/32
4.3 Both test data and theoretical calculations show that
circumferential displacement beyond handtight makeup of coupling 5/8 8/32 9/32 6/32 8/32
and pin provides an accurate and repeatable means with which to
measure and define the preload stress in a sucker rod joint.
4.4 In view of the foregoing, this recommended practice ¾ 9/32 11/32 7/32 17/64
provides, for field use, a comprehensive set of circumferential 7/8 11/32 12/32 9/32 23/64
displacement values and procedures covering their use, including
a method for the calibration of power tongs.
4.5 Circumferential Displacement Values. Circumferential 1 14/32 16/32 12/32 14/32
displacement as used herein is the distance measured, after 1 1/8 18/32 21/32 16/32 19/32
makeup, between the displaced parts of a vertical line scribed
across the external surfaces of the box and pin when they are in a _________________________________________________
shouldered hand-tight relationship prior to makeup. NOTE: Above displacement values were established through
4.6 The circumferential displacement values shown in Table 4.1 calculations and strain gauge tests.
are the necessary and recommended displacements required to General Recommendations, Power Tongs
achieve an optimum preload stress. Values for a combination of
materials and their application are listed in the column headings. 4.10 The use of air or hydraulic power rod wrenches is
Choose the correct column. recommended to assure best makeup results for all sizes of
4.7 Because the interface surfaces of the joint are burnished or rods. However, it is imperative that the power wrenches be
smoothed out on initial makeup, the displacement values on the maintained in accordance with our recommendations.
initial makeup are greater than those on subsequent makeup. 4.11 When using power wrenches, it is recommended that
While this difference is displacement occurs in varying degrees the hydraulic power oil system be circulated until a normal
with all rod grades, it is observed to be consistent only in the operating temperature is reaches and that this temperature
Grade D rod. Notice, the tabulated values for use when rerunning be maintained within a reasonable level through calibration
Grade D rods are smaller than those for the initial makeup of new and installation of rods.
Grade D rods.
4.8 It is impractical to establish displacement values for the initial Calibration of Power Tong
makeup of Grade C and K rods, because of the inconsistency of
observed test data with these materials. It is therefore 4.12 Power tong must be calibrated to produce
recommended that new Grade C and K rod joints be made up and recommended circumferential displacement makeup values
broken, in the field, prior to final makeup on initial installation. shown by Table 4.1. After initial calibration, it is
4.9 When new couplings are installed on previously used rods recommended that the power tong calibration be checked
regardless of their grade, the displacement values listed in Table each 1000 feet and be recalibrated for each rod size change.
4.1, Column 3, should be used.
TABLE 4.1
SUCKER ROD JOINT CIRCUMFERENTIAL *Contact your rod manufacturer for specific make-up of brand
DISPLACEMENT VALUES of Rod being used.
All dimensions in inches
 Model 300M Rod Tong
Use, Care & Handling
4.13 There are three different methods employed in calibrating
power tongs for various API Grade rods and field conditions. It is
imperative to select the recommended method to suit your field
conditions.
Calibration of Power Tongs for NEW API Grade D Rods
a. Check condition outlined under Par. 4.1.
b. Set the tongs operating pressure on the low side of the
estimated value required to produce prescribed
circumferential displacement value shown by Table 4.1.
c. Screw the first joint together hand-tight, scribe a fine vertical
line across the pin and coupling shoulder to establish hand-
tight reference as shown by Fit. 4.1.
d. Loosen coupling to normal running position, then make up
joint with power tong operating with the tong throttle
depressed to the fully open position. Do not hit the throttle a
second time after joint shoulder and tongs have stalled.
e. Remove the tongs and measure the circumferential
displacement between the scribed hand-tight vertical line as
shown by Fig. 4.2
f. Increase or decrease the tong operating pressure to
achieve the selected prescribed circumferential
displacement as shown by Table 4.1.
g. Repeata Steps d. through f. until proper displacement is
achieved. Check calibration of tongs a minimum of 4 joints
and for each 1000 feet thereafter and at each change in rod
sizes.
Calibration of Power Tongs for API Grade C & Grade K Rods
h. For the initial run of API Grade C and Grace K Rods, a
constant correction factor cannot be recommended
because of inherent variables involved. Therefore, it is
imperative to make up and break the connection prior to
calibration of power tongs if proper preload is to be assured.
i. Once the joint is made up and broken, follow the same
procedure as outlined in Par. 4.13, steps a. through g.,
using the appropriate circumferential displacement values in
Table 4.1, Column 3.
*Contact your rod manufacturer for specific make-up of brand
of Rod being used.
Calibration of Power Tongs for rerunning of all
Grades of API Rods and New Couplings
j. Employ values shown in Table 4.1, Column 3 and
follow same procedure as outlined in Par. 4.13,
steps a through g.
Use of Rod Wrenches for Manual Make-up
4.14 The use of rod wrenches is not recommended for rod
sizes larger than ¾ inch. Application of rod wrenches
to achieve the desired preload is as follows:
Manual Make-up of New API Grade D Rod Strings
a. Screw rod and coupling to a shouldered hand-
tight position.
b. Scribe a fine vertical line across the pin and
coupling to establish a hand-tight reference as
shown by Fig. 4.1.
c. Apply necessary mechanical force to achieve
recommended displacement values as shown in
Table 4.1, Column 3.
Mechanical Make-up of API Grade C and Grade K Rods
d. Apply mechanical force and makeup joint once.
Loosen and retighten to hand-tight position.
e. Scribe a fine vertical line across the pin and
coupling shoulder to establish a hand-tight
reference as shown by Fig. 4.1.
f. Apply necessary mechanical force to achieve
recommended displacement values as shown in
Fig. 4.1, Column 3.
Mechanical Make-up of Used Rods and New Couplings
g. Bring coupling and rod pin to a hand-tight
position.
h. Scribe a find vertical line across the pin and
coupling shoulder to establish a hand-tight
reference as shown by Fig. 4.1.
i. Apply mechanical force sufficient to achieve
circumferential displacement as shown in Table
4.1, Column 3.
 GILL SERVICES, INC. MODEL 300 MAINTENANCE LOG

MODEL 300 SERIAL NO.______________________________

DATE TYPE OF MAINTENANCE PERFORMED INITIALS

 GILL SERVICES, INC. MODEL 300 MAINTENANCE LOG

MODEL 300 SERIAL NO.______________________________

DATE TYPE OF MAINTENANCE PERFORMED INITIALS