New Hitachi AC Brushless Impact Wrench Models Announced

Hitachi Power Tools recently launched three new Hitachi AC Brushless Impact Wrench models designed for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts in the automobile, shipbuilding, agricultural, and construction industries as well as for scaffolding assembly, electrical equipment, plumbing, and HVAC installation and other fastening applications.

Notable features include Hitachi’s Aluminum Housing Body (AHB) on models WR25SE and WR22SE, an internal inverter circuit that regulates uneven power supply to protect internal circuitry, outward-angled handles, nose bumpers, a forward/reverse toggle, and a plastic stator holder around the brushless motor. All three of the new wrenches are covered by Hitachi’s 5-Year warranty.

Our Take

Hitachi is running with the idea of corded brushless tools and is showing no signs of slowing down. While traditionally found in cordless tools, corded models will still reap the benefits of longer life, cooler running, and no brush changes. Sooner or later, I’d expect some customization to roll out with the electronic controllers as well.

The big question with the new Hitachi AC Brushless Impact Wrench line is whether they’ll be accepted in automotive applications. Pneumatics rule the garage and while cordless is making some headway, it remains to be seen if mechanics will lay down their hoses for cords. Construction Pros are already used to working with cords, so there’s not likely to be many issues on that front.

This line takes you from medium-duty applications with a base torque of 270-foot pounds. That’s going to be an excellent go-to option for residential construction sites with its 1/2-inch drive. Moving up to 460-foot pounds also moves you up to a 3/4-inch drive and you’ll find 740-foot pounds of torque available on Hitachi’s 1-inch drive model.

Will losing the compressor and the inherent performance be enough to lure pneumatic users away from the lighter weight tools?

That remains to be seen. But for Pros who need power and don’t currently have an adequate air system installed, this might just be what the doctor ordered. Even users that are thinking about cordless may want to go the corded route. There aren’t a ton of cordless options on the market for 3/4-inch and 1-inch drives… but they do exist.