Posi Lock PHA-116 50-Ton 3-Jaw Hydraulic Puller

The Posi Lock PHA-116 is a 50-ton, three-jaw hydraulic puller for heavy shafts: large motor rotors, big gear hubs, fan hubs and coupling halves that a smaller puller cannot move. It uses the Posi Lock Safety Cage to keep the three jaws centred while the cylinder works.

A 50-ton puller for heavy rotating equipment

Fifty tons (445 kN) is the top of the maker’s 5 to 50 ton hydraulic range. The jaw head opens from 3 to 25 inches and reaches 14 inches, with jaws 1.44 inches wide, so it can span large hubs while keeping a broad grip on the face being pulled.

Because the assembled puller weighs about 202 lb (91 kg) with lift plate and cylinder, the instruction sheet warns that anything above 50 pounds must be supported by means other than one person. Plan a hoist or sling point before the job starts.

Technical specifications

Selection, set contents and safe use

The page lists the set as puller iron, ram point set and lift plate. The hydraulic cylinder, pump, gauge and hoses are specified separately, so a quotation should name the cylinder and pump that will drive it. The maker advises a gauge in every hydraulic system so the operator can watch the load, and a maximum pressure of 700 bar (10,000 psi) for all components.

Match the tonnage to the shaft: the rule is 8 to 10 tons per inch of diameter, and the instruction sheet example shows a five-inch shaft with a 50-ton ram. Seat the jaws firmly, keep the puller square, advance the plunger slowly and never retighten the T-handle while pulling. If you need longer arms, the PHA-116L long-jaw version and the PH-50T with a 26 inch long-jaw reach are listed as related items.

Handling, inspection and storage

Heavy pulling work is mostly preparation. Inspect the jaws, pins and cage for dents, cracks or wear before every use, and replace worn parts rather than continuing with them. Support the part being pulled separately, because the puller is not a lifting device, and cover the job with a protective blanket so flying fragments are contained if the component breaks.

After use, wipe the puller clean and store it dry. Keep hoses free of sharp bends, discard damaged ones, and connect or disconnect hydraulic couplings only when the system is unpressurised.

Typical applications

A 50-ton three-jaw puller is the tool for components that have been pressed or shrunk onto a shaft for years and cannot be moved by hand or a small mechanical puller. Examples include large gear hubs on gearbox output shafts, fan and impeller hubs, pump coupling halves, bearing inner races on heavy motor shafts, flywheels and pulleys. Cement, power, water, oil and gas, steel and marine maintenance teams use this size of puller during planned shutdowns, when the time available to remove a seized part is short.

Jaw spread and clearances

The spread range of 3 to 25 inches means the jaws can be set to grip parts well beyond the size of a standard bearing puller. Before the job, measure the gripping diameter of the part, the length of shaft available in front of it and the distance behind it from which the jaws can hook. The reach of 14 inches must be longer than the distance from the face of the part to the point where the jaws catch. The jaw tip clearance and depth in the table are the dimensions to compare with the lip or edge being gripped; a lip thinner than the tip depth will not hold securely. The dimensional drawing attached to this page shows the spread at each opening.

Using the puller correctly

1. Clean the shaft end and make sure the centre hole or end face can carry the ram point without damage.
2. Soak the fit with penetrating oil beforehand where the part is corroded, which is common in humid coastal plants.
3. Hook the jaws evenly, lock them in the cage and check that all three carry equal load before pressure is applied.
4. Pump slowly and watch the gauge; a sudden pressure rise without movement means the part is stuck and the alignment or the fit should be re-checked, not that more pressure is the answer.
5. Where heat is needed to free a part, follow the plant hot-work procedure and do not heat the puller itself.

Choosing between PHA-116 and related models

The manufacturer lists a long-jaw PHA-116L, the PHA-216 family, a PHB series and PHES versions alongside the PHA-116. The usual question is whether more reach or a different jaw arrangement is needed. If the part sits deep on the shaft, ask about the long-jaw version, and if space around the part is tight, compare the jaw length and width in the drawings before deciding.

Information needed for a quotation

• Diameter of the shaft and outside diameter of the part to be pulled
• Distance from the face of the part to the gripping edge
• Hydraulic cylinder and pump to be supplied or already owned
• Whether accessories such as extra ram points or spare parts are required
• Quantity and delivery location in Oman or the GCC

Documents and quotation

The linked PDF is the maker’s dimensional drawing for the PH116 and PH216 hydraulic pullers, with jaw-spread dimensions at each opening. Before ordering, confirm the shaft diameter, free length behind the part, lifting arrangements, jaw length and the hydraulic cylinder and pump to be paired with the puller. Send us the model code, quantity and delivery location and we will prepare a quotation; Seven Star LLC supplies from Muscat as an independent supplier. Browse related maintenance tools in our Electric Motors category.