Particularly useful for bolts on valves, pipes, pumps and engines, the Boltight hydraulic bolt tensioning equipment – included in industrial equipment supplier BMG’s Nord-Lock bolting solutions offering – can be used to tighten bolts simultaneously, ensuring even preload in industrial applications and extreme environments.

“Advanced bolting technology in large machines and equipment eliminates the risk of loose or over-tightened bolts and is critical to ensuring optimum performance and safety in arduous conditions, such as mines and quarries,” states BMG fasteners sales manager Maryna Werner.

As bolts continue to increase in size, the load critically increases as well, resulting in operators being faced with the challenge of achieving the correct bolt elongation to ensure bolt load accuracy, she notes.

However, when tightening a bolt using traditional torque methods, it can be difficult and sometimes impossible for the operator to achieve the correct bolt elongation, to ensure bolt load accuracy, adds Werner.

“Boltight hydraulic bolt tensioners, manufactured to stringent global quality and safety specifications, use high-pressure hydraulics and a pre-determined pressure to make on-site bolting jobs safer, faster and more efficient,” she explains.

These tools have been specially developed to axially stretch the bolt. The nut is then rotated down the joint face, accurately locking in the bolt load. The nut then lifts clear of the flange mating surface as a result of bolt stretch and the socket being used to turn the nut down, retaining the load.

Standard bolt tensioners are used in onshore and offshore pipeline flanges, compact flanges, heat exchangers, cranes, pumps, valves and for other critical bolting applications.

Xtra load bolt tensioners are recommended for higher loads and for restricted space applications.

“The Boltight tools are used extensively throughout the mining, marine and oil and gas industries, where reliable and accurate bolt tightening is critical to operational efficiency,” says Werner.

The Boltight operating principle is based on the flow of hydraulic oil into the load cell. The load generated by the load cell is transferred into the puller, which then transfers the load directly into the bolt.

The Boltight tools provide continuous performance, without the need for frequent maintenance and repair. With the fast and efficient turnaround and reliability provided by these tensioners, time can be saved and running costs can be more easily controlled.

BMG offers a wide range of standard and customised bolt tensioning tools to optimise bolt tightening throughout the construction of new plant and maintenance of equipment.