SubscribeNorbar Torque Tools Ltd, is pleased to announce that the Australian Army has equipped all its Mack MC3 trucks with a specially modified version of one of its wrenches, for the wheel nuts.
If wheel nuts are loose, they can come off; if they are too tight, they can be impossible to remove or worse, the bolt may shear. In either case the result will not be pleasant, both for the truck occupants and anyone else in the area. Recognising these facts for all vehicles, but especially those that experience the rougher side of life, the Army approached Norbar’s Adelaide office for a solution.
The first challenge was that a normal wrench with the required capacity would not fit in the standard tool bin. So Norbar designed one that splits into two pieces but can be assembled in seconds with no special tools.
A preset version was chosen as it can’t be tampered with and as a result, is virtually fool proof. It is also a design that is much less prone to damage – a vital consideration considering the remote locations that the Australian Army may operate in.
The wrenches are supplied in a galvanised box that also contains the sockets and extensions. The split wrench retains all the normal features of the standard wrench. It is simple and robust; the unique Norbar 20 degree break angle gives the clearest possible indication that the correct torque has been reached and results in significantly less over torque in use. The result is accurate, safer fastening, even in rigorous field conditions.
The Australian Army is delighted with the results and was impressed with how Norbar was quickly able to solve what had become quite a problem. Large numbers of the kits have already been ordered and there could be many more to follow. The split torque wrench concept may also lend itself to many other military and commercial applications where storage space is limited.
The standard range of Norbar torque tools, ultrasonic, pneumatic and electric tools and testers is comprehensive and copes with most normal requirements. The company also prides itself on service, so if you have a torque tool requirement, standard or unusual, it may well be worth talking to them.
