Impact wrench purchase for tractor work

[Anonymous-0]

I like to rebuild tractors and old machinery. Having no money left after I finally got my shop built, I bought an impact wrench in a kit. It has no power. I am going to buy a good one. My questions are these: Can I get away with only one good 1/2" wrench of say, 450 ft lbs or do I need one 1/2" and one heavier-lifting 3/4" for the big and stubborn stuff? I have borrowed a 3/4" from time to time because it was easily available but never tried a powerful 1/2" so I don't know if that is enough by itelf. If I can get away with buying only one I'll get a really good 1/2" but if I need both I'll have to do it in stages. Thanks

 

[edj856]

Get an Ingersoll-Rand 2135TI. They are best all around 1/2" impact gun I have ever used and can be bought for less than $250.

 

[old]

I have one of those 450ft/lbs ones and for the most part it does all I need. When it doesn't work to take a bolt/nut off I just get out my 3/4 drive socket set and a cheater bar. The one I got is the best one wal-mart has and it has done just fine for the last 10 years or so. Chambell-hausfield is the brand. Cost me around $80 when I got it
Hobby farm

 

[IH2444]

I got a 1/2 inch "earthquake" one at HF. $69 on sale. Claims 650 FT Lbs. Been good so far only thing that stopped it was some blade mount bolts on an old Bush hog. The took some heat and a loong cheater bar.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have used a IR 2131 for a number of years with good luck and if all else fails torch and a long cheater.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'll second the 2135T1. Best all around small impact I've ever bought.

Joe
2135T1

 

[ArleninOr]

IngersollRand have had one for about 10 yrs works great.Found mine in the middle of the Interstate.Buy of the month.

 

[rockyhawaii]

I have a 3/4" electric Makita for the heavy stuff. It's serving me well.

 

[Bob Huntress]

How large a tractor do you anticipate working on? Small tractors, such as 8N's and TO-30's, will rarely, if ever need anything larger than a good 1/2" drive impact. If you intend on working on some of the Caterpillar track drives, you will probably need a 3/4" impact. If you plan on working on, let's say a Mack dump truck, the rear springs are torqued to well over 800 ftlbs. The tires of even a two and a half ton truck, also tend to need a 3/4" impact wrench. I just depends on what you plan to work on. I wouldn't recommend getting a 3/4" impact and sockets, though for the off chance that someday you may work on a Cat track, or heavy truck tire. I have a few 3/4 sockets and an old ratchet, since when I use to work in truck shops, the shops generally supplied the 3/4" and 1" impact wrenches.

 

[Anonymous-0]

what size air line do you have? it take a lot of air flow to get the peak out of a impact wrench them little air hoses and little coil lines are not big enough

 

[Mark-Mi]

ED and Joe are right on.2135Ti. The most powerful lightweight 1/2" impact I ever owneed.
That price he linked is a very good price for one.
Mark

 

[Anonymous-0]

after 20 years in the tire business-Ingersol Rand 2135 is the only way to go. We would send the other brands to the dumpster after 6 or 8 months. The IR's would last us 2 or 3 years with min maintance and they were used hard every day. When my back forced me to quit the business I bought a new 1 for my home shop, one with the long anvel.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Read all the posts,all good. I just bought a cordless 1/2 in. the best I could buy. Talk about handy, lug bolts on grain wagons,rusty nuts. carry it in the truck with impact sockets.

Just love it.

 

[JT]

I have an old Chicago Pnuematic that is great, it is getitng tired, love to find another one in good shape, I also have a Chinese Mac, not bad for a $140.00 1/2" impact, have had for about 5 years, does OK, Then I have a real Mac, it is a great impact, we have found nothing in the shop it will take off, it is an Ingersol with a Mac cover. I bought it used about 10 year ago, you might stop one of the Mac tool trucks running around and you might be able to get used $300.00 impact for a hundred or so. If not, buy an Ingersol, you will not regret it.
Jim