Manual Tong

1. Purpose

Manual tongs, including external and internal tongs, work in coordination and are primarily used for making up and breaking out drill string connections during drilling, casing, and tripping operations.

2. Types

Manual tongs are categorized based on size compatibility and operational mode:

• By size compatibility:
  • Type B Manual Tong – Designed for different pipe sizes, ranging from φ88.9mm to φ298.4mm, with interchangeable tong heads to accommodate various pipe diameters.
  • Casing Tongs – Specifically used for handling casing pipes.
• By operation mode:
  • Manual Tongs – Operated manually for torque application.
  • Hydraulic Power Tongs – Mechanized for efficient torque application.

Currently, Type B manual tongs and hydraulic tongs are widely used in field operations.

3. Classification of Manual Tongs

Manual tongs are the primary tools for making up and breaking out drill string connections. The most commonly used manual tongs at the wellhead include:

• DB Manual Tong:
  • Working range: 3-½” to 8-¼” (expandable up to 17” with extended tong heads)
  • Torque capacity: 3-½” to 8-¼” – 65,000 ft-lb, 8” to 17” – 40,000 ft-lb
• SDD Manual Tong:
  • Working range: 4” to 8-½” (expandable up to 17” with extended tong heads)
• B-Type Manual Tong:
  • Designed for casing connections
  • Size range: 3-½” to 13-3/8” (expandable up to 25-½” with extended tong heads)
• C-Type Manual Tong:
  • A portable manual tong
  • Size range: 2-3/8” to 10-¾”
  • Maximum torque capacity: 35,000 ft-lb

4. Safety Precautions

To ensure safe and efficient operation, follow these guidelines:

1. Select the appropriate No. 5 tong head to match the pipe size accurately.
2. Position the manual tong on the drill pipe connection, ensuring:
   • Upper and lower tongs are placed 30–50mm from the sealing surface.
   • The angle between the internal and external tongs is 45°–90°.
   • For makeup operations, the external tong is on top, and the internal tong is below.
   • For breakout operations, the external tong is below, and the internal tong is on top.
3. When replacing tong dies, avoid standing directly over the wellhead to prevent injury.
4. Ensure fingers are not placed between long and short tong arms when operating to avoid crushing injuries.
5. Exercise caution when handling tongs to prevent slipping, dropping, or sudden torque application.

By following these best practices, manual tong operations can be carried out safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of injury and improving work efficiency in drilling and casing applications