As a certified authorised distributor of Enerpac, Bosch, AME, HEMS and Ridgid, providing industrial tooling and hydraulic solutions, Kiloton Hydraulics Pneumatics Tools & Abrasives is helping South African refineries manage maintenance and upgrades on critical processing units while supporting safe fuel storage operations.

The company supplies Enerpac, Equalizer, and Minage high-pressure hydraulic tools, bolting equipment, lifting systems, pneumatic tools and precision measuring instruments from leading global brands, in addition to providing specialised on-site support services.

Refinery shutdowns and upgrades demand precise, controlled handling of heavy components. Kiloton Hydraulics technician Daniel Makhobotloane says Enerpac hydraulic cylinders, pumps, jacks and flange management systems provide the power and accuracy required for this sort of work.

“These tools reduce manual handling risks, improve turnaround times and support safe execution during expansions or equipment replacements.”

Correct bolting is another important requirement for refineries. Joints exposed to high temperatures and pressure must remain leak-free to maintain process integrity.

“Our Enerpac torque wrenches, nut splitters, and tensioners ensure accurate, repeatable fastening results, which is essential for preventing failures and meeting oil and gas safety standards,” he explains.

Older refineries face extra challenges such as corroded structures and tight spaces around processing units. Kiloton field service technician Boitumelo Lethea says the company addresses these issues using compact, high-force hydraulic solutions, and customised lifting equipment that can be deployed in confined areas without structural modifications.

To minimise delays and unplanned downtime, Kiloton provides 24/7 on-site technical support for on-site hydraulic field services that include hydraulic breakdown assistance, repairs, inspections, calibrations, and load testing. This rapid response ensures that the work done meets original equipment manufacturer specifications while complying with strict refinery safety protocols, Lethea notes.

Kiloton’s tool rental offering also helps refineries to control costs during planned shutdowns or peak maintenance periods.

“In a recent project, we supplied Enerpac hydraulic flange spreaders, torque wrenches and lifting jacks to assist with heat exchanger replacement. The combination of the right tools and skilled on-site support enabled the client to cut downtime by 50% without any safety incidents, as the Enerpac torque wrench provided the accuracy of 3% across full stroke,” says Kiloton senior sales manager Hansie Coetzee.

The company’s expertise extends to fuel storage infrastructure, where tank integrity is critical for operational safety and environmental compliance. Hydraulic lifting systems and bolting tools are used for tank base plate replacements, nozzle repairs and roof maintenance to ensure storage assets meet American Petroleum Institute (API) standards and environmental, social and governance requirements.

Coetzee assures that all Kiloton-supplied equipment complies with International Organisation for Standardisation and API specifications, and undergoes in-house inspection and certification before site deployment. This approach supports safe, efficient operations while meeting oil and gas industry requirements.

Regarding its future plans, the company is positioning its services to help refineries maintain reliability while meeting cleaner fuel production targets.

“By enabling safe and superior tooling solutions for key systems, we support upgrades that reduce sulphur emissions, improve energy efficiency and align with environmental regulations,” says Coetzee.

Kiloton’s combined focus on process unit reliability and fuel storage integrity aims to keep South Africa’s refining sector operationally secure, cost-efficient and aligned with sustainability goals.