Pneumatic impact wrench

A pneumatic impact wrench that relieves strain on the back and joints

Working in a garage can be hard on the back: constantly bending over, twisting your neck so you see everything – and of course lifting and carrying heavy tyres and other car parts. If you then have to handle heavy tools in addition, you put even more strain on your back, arms and joints. How can motor vehicle mechanics reduce these stresses?

Changing tyres is hard labour – also for the back

Because of seasonal tyre changeovers, the 36,000 or so garages in this country are always very busy around Easter and starting in October. 64 million cars are registered in Germany alone. If you have ever changed a tyre yourself, you know how strenuous it can be even with just one car. Garage employees change a set of tyres every fifteen minutes.

That is where motor vehicle mechanics ought to have a tool that meets two important requirements: developed for and tailored especially to the task, and easy on the back, bones and joints. This makes the strenuous work much easier.

The pneumatic impact wrench is such a tool. Good models are designed based on ergonomic considerations and can considerably improve work conditions as a result.

Improper tools are a health hazard

Anyone who has used a conventional impact wrench has surely noticed that it is difficult to handle and very heavy. With tools of this type, even 100 g of additional or reduced weight can be crucial. Another problem: what are known as hand-arm vibrations that can be transmitted to the entire body.

Multiple scientific studies in the field of occupational health and safety have shown the possible consequences: degenerative diseases of the bones and joints in the hand-arm system, fine motor impairments, thickening of the tendon sheaths and disruptions of the entire circulatory system. Tension also builds up in the area of the neck, shoulder, arm and back musculature. Even vertebral disc damage is possible.

Modern pneumatic impact wrenches are easy on the back

Tools that takes the health of the mechanic into account among other factors during development prove that it does not have to be that way. They are surprisingly light with a weight of less than 1200 grams, easy to handle and nevertheless tremendously effective in terms of power transmission.

The designers of these new high-performance pneumatic impact wrenches also put a lot of thought into ergonomics. A forward/reverse change lever makes the pneumatic impact wrench easy and intuitive to operate. Whether you are right or left-handed does not play a role. Thanks to the non-slip grip, you can work safely even with only one hand.

With a good high-performance pneumatic impact wrench, the torque can be set to one of multiple levels. Optimum power transmission is ensured by the drive system, operating pressure and an idle speed that is not too low. That relieves strain on the working musculature and prevents tension.

Modern, professional pneumatic impact wrenches can be comparatively quiet – another health benefit, especially when multiple employees are working in a garage at the same time. What are known as noise reduction hoses can further reduce operating noise. Improvements of up to 40 per cent are quite possible. Not only garage employees value that a great deal.

Checklist

A modern, ergonomic pneumatic impact wrench has to reduce strain in the area of the neck, shoulder, arm and back musculature while working. This is accomplished among other things by a low net weight below 1200 grams.
High performance and good power transmission are possible notwithstanding a small, lightweight and compact design. This reduces strain on the muscles and joints. Another benefit: the impact wrench can also be used in confined spaces.
The pneumatic impact wrench must be intuitive and easy to use for both right and left-handers. That includes control elements such as the forward/reverse change lever.
A non-slip grip is essential for secure one-hand operation. This is assured by a soft-grip handle that can be used with either hand.
Reducing noise emissions is also of great importance, both for the mechanic and for those around them. Accessories to further reduce noise emissions are highly beneficial, for example what is called a noise reduction hose.
The pneumatic impact wrench itself should be equipped with fall protection in case it takes a rough tumble.

Minimum requirements

Low net weight (max. 1200 g)
Good power transmission
Comfortable to use for right and left-handers
Ergonomic, safe and non-slip operation with one hand
Comfortable, intuitive to use control elements
Precise, user-friendly handling
The lowest possible noise emissions

Also appropriate

Noise reduction accessories
Impact protection