Selecting the Right Tong Gauge

Posted on Dec 19, 2015 by Kathy DeGlandon


Tong Line Pull Gauges and Tong Torque Gauges both tell the operator the amount of torque being applied to oilfield tongs; however, they perform this necessary task differently. Although they both measure the force applied to the pipe in make up and break out situations, how they measure this force is what makes these two gauges different. Knowing which tong gauge will work best for your applicat ...


Tong Line Pull Gauges and Tong Torque Gauges both tell the operator the amount of torque being applied to oilfield tongs; however, they perform this necessary task differently.  Although they both measure the force applied to the pipe in make up and break out situations, how they measure this force is what makes these two gauges different.  Knowing which tong gauge will work best for your application and employees is all important in selecting a tong gauge.

Tong Line Pull or Tong Torque Gauge? Which One’s Right for You?

The biggest difference between these two gauges is how and what they measure.  A tong line pull gauge measures true force (force/pounds), so what you see on the gauge is exactly what’s being applied to the pipe.  Basically, it’s the what-you-see-is-what-you-get gauge.  A tong torque gauge, on the other hand, measures the force that is being applied to the load cell and reads this force in foot/pounds. A more detailed explanation of both gauges follows.

Tong Line Pull Gauges

A tong line pull gauge is universal.  As long as the tong is a manual tong, a tong line pull gauge will fit on any hydraulic tong system.  No matter what the tong’s handle length, a tong line pull gauge will measure force/pounds.  The advantage to these gauges is that because they are universal, they can be used on any manual tong system. For example, you have two tongs, one with a 48 inch handle, and one with a 36 inch handle. You can use a tong line pull gauge with each tong, either the 48 inch handle or 36 inch handle, and measure the force pounds being applied to the drill pipe.  Having this gauge on hand can be very useful when you have to move from different manual tong systems with different handle lengths. These systems, consisting of gauge, hose, and load cell, are great for the driller who wants to measure force/pounds on a variety of manual tongs.

When using these gauges, the driller will want to convert force/pounds to foot/pounds.  In order to do so, he will need these variables:

Force/Pounds of Maximum Torque Required

Handle Length of Tong in Feet

The simple formula below is all he needs to convert force/pounds to foot/pounds:

Tong Line Pull Reading  x  Handle Length in Feet = Max Torque in Foot/Pounds

Handle lengths are measured from the center of the tong to the end of the handle.  If this measurement is in inches, it will need to be converted to feet in order to find max torque.

Tong Handle Length in Inches ÷ 12 = Handle Length in Feet

Once you have the max torque needed and the handle length in feet, you can complete the formula.  The example below shows the formula in action.  If you want to measure the maximum torque of 18,000 foot/pounds and you have a handle length of 34 inches, the calculations will look like this:

Tong Handle Length in Inches ÷ 12 = Handle Length in Feet

34 Inches/12 = 2.83

Max Torque/ Handle Length in Feet = Tong Line Pull

18,000/2.83 = 6360.42

Tong Line Pull Reading  x  Handle Length in Feet = Max Torque in Foot/Pounds

6360.42 x 2.83 = 18,000 Foot/Pounds

In this instance, when trying to determine foot/pounds and the reading he needs on the gauge, the driller will need to multiply 2.83 by the reading on the gauge (in this instance 6360.42) to make sure he’s reaching the torque required. Alternately, the drilling can use the maximum torque required, divide it by the handle length to determine what the optimal reading will be.

Tong Torque Gauges

Tong torque gauges can be used on manual tongs or power tongs, but the handle length must never change because these gauges are not universal.  A tong torque gauge is calibrated to a specific tong handle length and thus reads in foot/pounds instead of force/pounds.  The advantage to the gauge readings being foot/pounds is that the driller does not have to convert the gauge measurement in order to know the foot pounds being imposed on the drill string. By doing the math beforehand, the driller will avoid any miscalculations that could cause possible twistoffs.  The calculations are completed when the system is calibrated, taking the worry out of the driller’s hands and making the measurement of torque easier in the field. These systems, consisting of gauge, hose, and load cell, are great for the driller who wants to measure foot pounds without calculations in the field.

Determining Which Gauge Is Right for Your Application

When selecting a tong gauge, answer the following questions to determine which gauge is best:

  • Will you use this gauge for more than one handle length?
  • Will you want the gauge to measure force/pounds or foot/pounds?
  • Will you be using a manual or power tong?
  • Will the driller want to perform calculations in the field?

Whether you want a tong line pull or tong torque gauge, our knowledgeable sales team can help you determine which gauge system is right for you.