Until recently, mobile service operators favored pneumatic tools, partially because they were more powerful than electric alternatives. The largest battery powered electric impact wrenches were ½”, and anyone who needed tools with serious torque, such as a 1” impact wrench, would automatically default to pneumatic options.
But then Milwaukee released a battery powered 1” high torque impact wrench in 2019, and it was the first impact wrench to rival its pneumatic counterpart. The M18 1” high impact wrench produces 1500 ft-lb of fastening torque and 1800 ft-lb of nut breaking torque at a comparable cost. It also weighs half as much as the pneumatic alternatives, which makes it easier to lift.
Take a look at the weight of the Milwaukee impact wrench compared to some of its rival impact wrenches:
| Milwaukee M18 1” High Torque | Ingersoll Rand 285B |
Chicago Pneumatic CP7782 | |
| Power Source | Electric Battery |
Pneumatic | Pneumatic |
| Weight | 12.9 lb (with battery) |
24.6 lb | 22.2 lb |
| Fastening Torque | 1,500 ft-lb | 1,475 ft-lb | 1,480 ft-lb |
| Nut Breaking Torque | 1,800 ft-lb | 1,475 ft-lb | 1,920 ft-lb |
| CP796 | CP5000 | IR 2850MAX | |
| Fastening Torque | 1,400 ft-lb | 2,065 ft-lb | 2,000 ft-lb |
| Nut Breaking Torque | 2,000 ft-lb | 2,500 ft-lb | 2,100 ft-lb |
Pneumatic tools also make the most sense when you want options. While the M18 1” impact wrench may have been a market disrupter when it was released, there have not been any notable new battery tools released since. By contrast, pneumatic tool brands have been cranking out high torque options for decades, which means there’s a huge range in size, weight, cost, features, ergonomics, and styles to choose between. If you want options, pneumatic makes the most sense.
Being able to withstand the hardships of everyday work is a bare minimum requirement for any tool, and this is especially true on remote job sites, so only time will tell if electric models can truly replace pneumatic options.
As a result, operators must have and maintain two separate power sources on board: diesel or gas to fuel the vehicle, plus electricity. By contrast, the air compressors that power pneumatic tools typically tie into the engine or PTO, or use the existing fuel source. Air compressor systems only require the existing power sources, which makes pneumatic tools a more practical mobile solution.
But what about other tools, right now? While we’re seeing small gains for medium sized electric tools, there’s little innovation on the larger tool front. Powerful tools need powerful power sources.
When it comes to pavement breakers and jackhammers, impact wrenches over 1”, and compression tools, it’s hard to beat the pneumatic options on the market. Battery tools may not ever be able to properly handle big jobs like track bolts, heavy equipment repair and OTR tire repair work.
We’re an air compressor manufacturer so our bias is always towards air. It’s powerful, effective, and downright cool. But at the end of the day, the right answer to this question is going to vary by the individual and the work they do. Open the toolboxes on most service trucks, and you’ll see a mix of pneumatic, electric, and manual tools.
It’s possible more pneumatic tools will be replaced by electric alternatives in the future. But for now, air tools are still the winners when it comes to durability, power, and diverse options. That makes pneumatic tools the clear choice for mobile operators who want a single, straight-forward power source for all their tools.