srlf.net

SLIPS are the tools that grip and suspend drill pipe in the rotary table, and you choose the right type mainly by matching gripping length to drilling depth and confirming the pipe outside diameter (OD) range. In the product range shown on srlf.net, rotary slips accommodate drill pipe from 2 3/8–7 in (60.3–177.8 mm) OD and are classified as Ultra-Short (SDS-S), Short (SDS), Medium (SDML), and Extra Long (SDXL) according to gripping length. Use the shortest class that safely covers your drilling depth for shallow work, step up to medium for general drilling, and reserve the extra-long class for deep drilling.

What SLIPS Do in the Rotary Table

A slip is a wedge-shaped gripping tool that sits in the rotary table opening and holds the drill string so it can be suspended while connections are made or broken. The gripping surface (dies or inserts) bites into the pipe OD, and the tapered body transfers the load into the rotary table bushing. This is why slip selection is a load-and-size decision as much as a handling decision.

Gripping-Length Classes and Where They Fit

The site classifies rotary slips by gripping length, and ties each class to a drilling depth band:

The logic behind the classes: a longer gripping length spreads the load over more pipe surface, which matters as string weight and depth increase. A shorter slip is quicker to handle and suits lighter, shallower strings. The trade-off is that going longer than needed adds handling effort without a depth benefit.

How to Match Slips to Pipe and Depth

1. Confirm the pipe OD. Rotary slips in this range cover 2 3/8–7 in (60.3–177.8 mm) OD. If your pipe falls outside that window, this slip family is not the match.
2. Identify the drilling depth band. Shallow → SDS-S or SDS. Medium → SDML, described as the perfect choice for all medium-depth drilling. Deep → SDXL.
3. Check the load path. The slip works together with the rotary table bushing, so the bushing and slip tapers must be compatible.
4. Inspect dies and inserts before use. The gripping elements are what actually contact the pipe; worn or wrong-profile inserts change how the load is carried.

Rotary Slips vs. Spiders and Slip-Type Elevators

These are related but not interchangeable:

• Rotary slips seat in the rotary table and suspend the string there.
• Spiders are the counterpart used in the table opening for handling, and the site lists them as a separate product category alongside slips.
• Slip-type elevators/spiders are mechanized, air-operated tools that can handle casings up to 20 in. They are described as easy to operate, dependable, and able to reduce workload, and are designed and manufactured according to API & ISO.

If your task is suspending drill pipe in the rotary table, you want slips. If you are handling casing up to 20 in with mechanized operation, the slip-type elevator/spider is the relevant tool.

Compliance and Pre-Use Checks

The slip-type elevators/spiders are stated to be designed and manufactured according to API & ISO. For any slip, verify the standard and certification your operation requires, then inspect the gripping elements (dies/inserts) and the slip body before each use. The site does not publish a specific inspection interval or torque/load table for slips, so confirm those against your own operating procedure and the manufacturer's documentation.

Practical Selection Summary

• Pipe OD 2 3/8–7 in (60.3–177.8 mm) → rotary slips in this range.
• Shallow drilling → SDS-S or SDS.
• Medium-depth drilling → SDML.
• Deep drilling → SDXL.
• Casing up to 20 in with mechanized handling → slip-type elevator/spider (API & ISO).
• Always confirm bushing compatibility and inspect dies/inserts before use.

For current pricing and availability, contact the supplier directly; the site lists a 24-hour service hotline at 008613862776577 and an email at [email protected].

Elevators are the handling tools that connect the traveling block or hook to the drill string so pipe can be hoisted, held, and lowered in and out of the wellbore. In the product line covered here, they come in two basic forms: side door drill pipe elevators (the CD type) and slip type elevators/spiders for casing. Choosing the right one comes down to three things: the pipe outside diameter you are handling, the rated load the string will impose, and whether you need a manual latch or an air-operated, mechanized tool.

What elevators do in the drilling operation

An elevator grips the pipe below a shoulder or upset and transfers the load to the hoisting system. During tripping, the elevator latches onto the drill pipe, the drawworks lifts the string, and the pipe is set back or run back in. The tool therefore has to do two jobs at once: hold a dynamic load safely and release and re-latch quickly enough to keep trip time reasonable.

The CD drill pipe elevators described here are conventional side door elevators for handling 90° shoulder drill pipe in oil and gas drilling. They are forged from alloy steel, heat-treated, and NDT tested, with rated loads from 150 t to 750 t covering pipe sizes from 2⅜" to 9⅞" OD.

Side door elevators vs. slip type elevators/spiders

These are not interchangeable — they suit different pipe and different handling philosophies.

The slip type elevator/spider is described as easy to operate and dependable, and its main practical advantage is reduced workload — the air-operated mechanism replaces manual latching on heavy casing. If you are running drill pipe with a 90° shoulder, the side door elevator is the correct family; if you are running casing up to 20", the slip type is the one to look at.

How to size an elevator: load rating and pipe OD

Selection is a two-variable problem, and both variables must be satisfied at once.

1. Determine the pipe OD. For the CD elevators this must fall within 2⅜"–9⅞". For the SE 350 slip type, casing up to 20" is covered. An elevator sized for the wrong OD will not seat correctly on the shoulder.
2. Determine the maximum string load. The CD range runs 150 t to 750 t. Pick a rating above the heaviest load the elevator will see, not the average — the rating is a working limit, not a target.
3. Match the elevator to the rest of the string. The elevator works alongside slips and tongs, so the pipe size and load class should be consistent across the set.

A useful rule of thumb: the pipe OD fixes which elevator you can use, and the load rating fixes which size within that family you need. Neither alone is sufficient.

Standards, materials, and testing

The CD elevators are forged from high quality alloy steel, heat-treated, and NDT tested — forging and heat treatment give the body its strength and toughness, and non-destructive testing verifies there are no defects that could propagate under cyclic hoisting loads. The SE 350 slip type elevators/spiders are designed and manufactured according to API & ISO. If a project specification calls for API or ISO compliance, that is the line to confirm against; if it calls for forged, heat-treated, NDT-tested drill pipe elevators, the CD type matches that description.

Matching elevators with slips and tongs

Elevators rarely work alone. On a typical trip you will also be using:

• Slips — to grip the pipe in the rotary table while the elevator is released. Rotary slips here cover 2⅜"–7" OD and are classified by gripping length as Ultra-Short (SDS-S), Short (SDS), Medium (SDML), and Extra Long (SDXL), with SDS-S/SDS for shallow drilling, SDML for medium depth, and SDXL for deep drilling.
• Manual tongs — to make up and break out connections. The Q60-178/22 handles 2⅜"–7" and adjusts by changing latch lug jaws and handling shoulders.
• Elevator links and bushings — the intermediate hardware between the hook and the elevator.

The practical check is that the pipe size range of the elevator, the slips, and the tongs all overlap the string you are running. A 7" drill pipe, for example, sits at the top of the rotary slip range and within the CD elevator range, so both tools are available for that size.

Common selection mistakes to avoid

• Sizing by pipe OD only. A 4½" elevator rated below the string weight is still the wrong elevator.
• Using a drill pipe elevator on casing. The CD type is for 90° shoulder drill pipe; casing up to 20" belongs with the slip type elevator/spider.
• Ignoring the mechanized option on casing. The air-operated slip type elevator/spider exists specifically to cut workload on casing running — on long casing strings that difference matters.
• Skipping documentation. If the job requires API & ISO conformance or NDT records, confirm which product line carries them before ordering.

For specific sizes, ratings, and current availability, the manufacturer's contact channel is listed as a 24-hour service hotline at 008613862776577.

Manual tongs are hand-operated tools used to make up (tighten) or break out (loosen) the threaded connections of drill tools and casing during drilling and well servicing operations. On the Jiangsu Rudong Lianfeng (SuRuLianFeng) product line, the representative model is the LF Manual Tongs, Type Q60-178/22, rated for 2 3/8–7 in pipe. Choose manual tongs when you need a simple, self-contained tool for connection work within that size range; choose power tongs or spinning tools when the job calls for higher torque, larger pipe, or faster repetitive make-up/break-out.

What manual tongs do

Manual tongs grip the pipe body or tool joint and convert the operator's pull on the tong handle into rotary force on the connection. They are used in both drilling and well servicing to:

• Make up screws (threaded connections) of drill tools and casing
• Break out those same connections when tripping or servicing

The LF Manual Tongs listing describes exactly this function: "used for making up or breaking out the screws of drill tools and casing in drilling and well servicing operation."

How handling size is adjusted

The LF Manual Tongs do not come in one fixed size for every pipe. According to the product description, the handling size of this type tong can be adjusted by changing latch lug jaws and handling shoulders. In practice this means:

• Latch lug jaws — the gripping elements that contact the pipe; swapping them changes the diameter the tong can hold.
• Handling shoulders — the load-bearing contact points that position the tong on the pipe.

So when you move between pipe sizes within the rated range, you change the jaw/shoulder set rather than the whole tong. Confirm the jaw and shoulder combination you need for your specific pipe OD before ordering.

Manual tongs vs. power tongs vs. spinning tools

These three categories sit at different points on the torque-and-speed spectrum. The table below uses the same dimensions so you can compare directly.

The source lists Power Tongs & Spinning and a Power Unit as separate product categories, which confirms they are a distinct, powered system rather than a variant of manual tongs. If your operation is shallow or intermittent and within 2 3/8–7 in, manual tongs keep the setup simple. If you are running deeper, larger, or high-repetition connections, the powered categories are the relevant ones.

Selection factors

Work through these in order:

1. Pipe outside diameter. The LF Manual Tongs cover 2 3/8–7 in. If your casing or drill pipe falls outside this, look at other categories (for example, slip-type elevators/spiders handle casings up to 20 in).
2. Job type. Drilling vs. well servicing — both are named as applications for the LF Manual Tongs, so either is in scope within the size range.
3. Torque requirement. The source does not publish a torque rating for the LF Manual Tongs. If your connection needs a specified make-up torque, verify it with the supplier rather than assuming.
4. Jaw and shoulder set. Match the latch lug jaws and handling shoulders to your pipe OD, since these are what set the handling size.
5. Related handling tools. Manual tongs work alongside elevators, slips, spiders, and bushings — the source lists all of these as separate categories, so plan the full string-handling set, not just the tong.

Safety and operational considerations

• Grip length matters for slips, and the same logic applies to tong contact. The source notes rotary slips are classified by gripping length (Ultra-Short SDS-S, Short SDS, Medium SDML, Extra Long SDXL) — SDS-S and SDS for shallow drilling, SDML for medium depth, SDXL for deep. Match the gripping/contact configuration to the job depth rather than using one setup everywhere.
• Use the correct jaw/shoulder set. A mismatched set is both a grip and a safety problem.
• Keep manual and powered tools in their roles. Manual tongs are for the connection work described; pipe weight handling belongs to elevators, slips, and spiders.
• Verify ratings with the supplier. The source gives pipe size ranges but not torque or load ratings for the manual tongs, so confirm these for your specific application.

Practical takeaway

If your drill pipe or casing is between 2 3/8 and 7 in and you want a straightforward, hand-operated tool for making up and breaking out connections in drilling or well servicing, the LF Manual Tongs (Type Q60-178/22) is the direct fit — just specify the right latch lug jaws and handling shoulders for your pipe OD. If you need higher torque, larger pipe, or faster repetitive work, step up to the power tongs and spinning category, and pair either choice with the correct elevators, slips, and spiders for handling the string.

Bushings are the interface between the rotary table and the tools that actually grip the pipe. A master bushing drops into the rotary table opening and provides a standardized tapered bowl; a bowl bushing (or adapter bushing) then fits inside that bowl to match a specific pipe or casing outer diameter, or to accept slips and spiders. You choose a bushing by matching three things at once: the rotary table or bowl size it must seat in, the pipe/casing OD it must pass or grip, and the load rating of the string it will carry. If any of those three is wrong, the slips or spider will not seat correctly and the load path through the table is compromised.

What bushings actually do

In rotary drilling and well servicing, the rotary table has a large opening. That opening is not sized for drill pipe — it is sized for a master bushing, which is a replaceable, hardened insert with a tapered internal bowl. Everything else stacks inside it:

• Master bushing — seats directly in the rotary table; defines the bowl taper that all other tools reference.
• Bowl / adapter bushing — fits into the master bushing bowl and steps the opening down to the actual pipe or casing OD, or to the size a slip or spider body needs.
• Slips and spiders — the gripping tools that actually hold the pipe; they seat in the bowl provided by the bushing above them.

So the bushing does two jobs: it centers the string over the wellbore, and it adapts one bowl size to many pipe sizes without changing the rotary table itself. That is why a rig carries a set of bushings rather than one — the same table handles 2 3/8 in. drill pipe and much larger casing by swapping the insert.

Bushings vs. slips, spiders, and elevators

These four are often confused because they work together. The functional split:

The practical distinction: bushings do not grip and do not lift. They hold the tools that grip. Slips and spiders transmit the string's weight into the bushing and then into the rotary table. Elevators are a separate load path entirely — they hang from the traveling block and move up and down with the string.

If you are choosing between slips and a spider, the deciding factor is usually whether the operation is drill pipe (slips, typically handled by hand or with a spinning tool) or casing (spider, often mechanized with air operation for heavier strings). The bushing underneath is selected to match whichever of those you are running.

Common bushing types and what they accommodate

The categories you will encounter on a rig floor:

• Master bushings — sized to the rotary table API opening (common table sizes are standardized). They are the foundation insert and are usually the largest and heaviest piece.
• Bowl bushings / adapter bushings — step the master bowl down to a specific pipe or casing OD, or to the OD a given slip body requires.
• Slip bowl inserts — some designs combine the bowl and the slip seat into one replaceable piece.

Pipe size ranges depend on the tool seated in the bushing rather than the bushing alone. For reference, the equipment on this supplier's page covers drill pipe from 2 3/8 in. to 7 in. OD for rotary slips, and slip-type elevators/spiders that handle casing up to 20 in. The bushing set has to span that same range, which is why rigs stock multiple bowl sizes.

Selection factors that actually decide the choice

Work through these in order; the first mismatch usually eliminates the option.

1. Rotary table / bowl interface. The master bushing must match the table opening and taper. This is fixed by the rig, not by the pipe.
2. Pipe or casing OD. The bowl bushing must pass the pipe and seat the correct slip or spider. A bushing that is one size off will let the slips sit too high or too low in the bowl, which changes the gripping length.
3. Load rating. The bushing and the slips in it must be rated for the string weight. Do not assume a bushing rated for a shallow string is adequate for a deep one — gripping length and body strength scale with depth.
4. Standards and certification. Tools in this category are commonly designed and manufactured to API and ISO requirements, and forged, heat-treated parts are often NDT tested. Ask for the standard and the test documentation rather than assuming.
5. Operation type. Drill pipe, casing, and well-servicing work each favor different slip/spider styles, and the bushing is chosen to match that style.

Inspection and troubleshooting checklist

Worn or mismatched bushings cause most of the problems people attribute to slips. Check:

• Fit in the table. The master bushing should seat fully with no rocking. A bushing that sits proud means the taper is wrong or the seat is damaged.
• Bowl wear. A worn taper lets slips ride too low, reducing grip and risking pipe slip-through. Compare against the manufacturer's wear limit.
• Mismatch between bushing and slip. If the slip body does not seat flush in the bowl, the gripping length is wrong even if both parts are individually serviceable.
• Load capacity vs. actual string weight. Confirm the rating covers the heaviest string the bushing will see, not the average.
• Cracks and deformation. Forged, heat-treated bushings can crack; visual inspection plus the supplier's NDT records are the practical check.

Where to go next

If your question is really about the gripping tool rather than the insert, the related choices are slips (drill pipe, sized by OD and gripping length), spiders (casing, often air-operated), and elevators (lifting, rated by load and pipe size). The bushing decision follows from those — pick the slip or spider first, then match the bowl bushing to it and to your rotary table. For specific sizes, load ratings, and current pricing, contact the supplier directly with your table size, pipe OD, and maximum string weight; those three numbers determine the correct part.

Power tongs are mechanized tools used to make up (tighten) and break out (loosen) threaded connections on drill pipe, casing, and other tubulars during drilling and well-servicing operations. Unlike manual tongs, which rely on crew muscle and a cathead or winch line, power tongs use a hydraulic or pneumatic power unit to grip and rotate the pipe, delivering controlled torque with less physical effort. You would choose power tongs when pipe sizes, connection torques, or job volume make manual methods slow or unsafe; manual tongs remain practical for lighter, lower-torque work where portability and simplicity matter.

What Power Tongs Do

Every threaded connection in a drill string or casing string must be tightened to a specified torque so it seals, holds, and can be broken out later without damage. Power tongs perform that job by:

• Gripping the pipe body or tool joint with dies or jaws
• Rotating the upper (or lower) member to spin the threads together
• Applying a controlled torque to reach the connection's make-up value
• Reversing to break out connections during tripping or servicing

They are commonly paired with a spinning wrench or spinning chain, which spins threads quickly at low torque, while the power tong applies the final high-torque make-up.

Power Tongs vs. Manual Tongs

The core trade-off: power tongs cost more to set up and maintain but give consistent torque and reduce crew strain; manual tongs are simple and portable but depend heavily on operator skill and are limited in the torque they can reliably apply.

Main Components and Configurations

A typical power tong assembly includes:

• Tong body — houses the gripping jaws and rotation mechanism
• Jaws / dies — contact the pipe; sized and profiled for the pipe OD and surface
• Power unit — hydraulic or pneumatic source supplying pressure
• Hoses and controls — connect the tong to the power unit and let the operator control grip and rotation
• Torque gauge / sensor — indicates applied torque so make-up values can be met
• Back-up tong or backup device — holds the lower pipe against rotation while the power tong turns the upper member

Configurations vary by whether the tong is sized for drill pipe, casing, or tubing, and by the torque range and pipe OD range they cover.

Selection Factors

When specifying power tongs, match the tool to the job:

1. Pipe size range — the tong must cover the OD range of the drill pipe, casing, or tubing you handle.
2. Torque capacity — must exceed the highest make-up torque in your connection schedule, with margin.
3. Application — drilling (frequent, high-torque connections) versus well servicing (lighter, less frequent).
4. Power availability — hydraulic vs. pneumatic, and whether the rig or service unit can supply it.
5. Handling and clearance — rig floor space, whether a backup tong or backup device is needed.
6. Connection type — jaw and die selection must suit the tool joint or coupling being gripped.

Operational and Maintenance Considerations

• Verify torque calibration — a torque gauge or sensor that drifts can under- or over-torque connections.
• Match dies to pipe surface — wrong dies can crush or slip on the pipe.
• Inspect jaws, dies, and hoses — worn gripping surfaces and damaged hoses are common failure points.
• Use a proper backup — without a backup tong or device, the lower string can rotate and the connection won't make up correctly.
• Follow the connection's torque spec — power tongs make it easy to over-torque; the gauge is there to prevent that.

For reference, the supplier's product range at srlf.net lists both Manual Tongs and Power Tongs & Spinning categories alongside elevators, slips, and bushings, confirming that power tongs sit within a broader family of drilling wellhead and handling tools. If you are comparing specific models, request the pipe size range, torque rating, and power type for each so the choice matches your string and rig.