Abstract:
A tong assembly for manipulating tubulars can include a tong arm assembly for makeup and breakout that has a floating jaw or non-moving jaw, a breakup arm, and a hydraulic control assembly. The tong assembly can include a remote control for remotely controlling operations and providing for improved safety.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present embodiments generally relate to a tong assembly for use in makeup or breakout of tubulars that has a sturdy and reliable floating jaw assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A need exists for a tong assembly for making up or breaking out tubulars that can be used with limited training or expertise. 
     A need exists for a tong assembly that can be used to automatically breakout or makeup tubulars with minimal risk and human interaction. 
     A need exists for a tong assembly that does not require readjustment during makeup or breakout procedures, such as readjustments due to rolling off center of the tubular when the floating jaw connects with the tubular. 
     The present embodiments meet these needs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the tong arm assembly. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of a floating jaw. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a cross sectional view of the floating jaw of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the floating jaw. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of a moveable jaw according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exploded perspective view of the tong arm assembly according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the tong arm assembly. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross sectional view of the floating jaw of  FIG. 2A  engaged in an arm frame. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a detailed cross sectional view a tong die with teeth usable on the floating jaw, movable jaw, or both. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a detailed cross sectional view showing of teeth having flat faces that are usable on the floating jaw, moveable jaw, or both. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an exploded perspective view of the arm frame according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a top view of the tong assembly with the floating jaw installed therein. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of the tong assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  depicts a front view of the tong assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  depicts a side view of the tong assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  depicts a top view of another embodiment of the tong assembly having a non-moving jaw installed therein. 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  depict detailed views of a remote control usable with the tong assembly. 
     
    
    
     The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     The present embodiments relate to a tong assembly with a makeup and breakout arm, backup arm, or combinations thereof for engaging tubulars. 
     The tong assembly can include a floating jaw, moveable jaw, or combinations thereof. 
     The tong assembly can have at least three different configurations for variable applications. 
     The tong assembly can be hydraulically operated to engage a tubular in one or more embodiments. 
     The tong assembly can include an arm frame with a recess, gripping cylinder hole, and a makeup/breakout cylinder hole. 
     The tong assembly can connect to a makeup/breakout cylinder by fastening to a rod of the makeup/breakout cylinder through the makeup/breakout cylinder hole. 
     The floating jaw can be partially disposed within the recess and securable to the arm frame. The floating jaw can have at least one tong die slidably and removably attached thereto opposite the recess. 
     A gripping cylinder with a moveable rod can be attached to the arm frame via a cylinder fastener engaged through the gripping cylinder holes. The gripping cylinder can nest adjacent the arm frame and extend longitudinally along the arm frame. 
     A counter gripping member can be connected on one end to the moveable rod of the gripping cylinder. At least one opposite tong die can be disposed on the counter gripping member opposite the tong dies of the floating jaw. 
     A multi-function L-link assembly can engage the counter gripping member and the arm frame. The multi-function L-link assembly can have at least three different configurations for variable applications. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a tong arm assembly  7   a  configured to engage a tubular, such as a pipe, casing for a well, square tubulars used in construction, or other tubulars. 
     The tong arm assembly  7   a  can have an arm frame  8  with a recess  18  and a pair of gripping cylinder holes  16   a  and  16   b , which can be aligned. 
     The arm frame  8  can have a pair of makeup/breakout cylinder holes, including makeup/breakout cylinder hole  90   a , which can be aligned with a makeup/breakout cylinder hole not shown. 
     The arm frame  8  can include a top plate  60  connected to a bottom plate  63 . The top plate  60  and the bottom plate  63  can have the same size and shape. 
     A side support plate  59  can connected between the top plate  60  and the bottom plate to provide strength to the arm frame  8 . 
     A floating jaw  12  having a floating jaw tail  112  and floating jaw tail extension  116  can be attached to the arm frame  8 . The floating jaw tail  112  and the floating jaw tail extension  116  can be inserted and retained within the recess  18 . 
     The floating jaw tail  112  can be secured to the arm frame  8  with a first fastener  20  through a tail hole  26  in the floating jaw tail  112 . The first fastener  20  can pass through a first recess hole  22  in the top plate  60 , engage through the tail hole  26 , and pass through a second recess hole  23  in the bottom plate  63 . 
     The floating jaw  12  can have a face  101  with tong die grooves formed in the face  101  and tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  slidably and removably attached in the tong die grooves opposite the recess  18 . The floating jaw  12  is depicted having two tong dies  31   a  and  31   b ; however, the floating jaw  12  can have more or less than two tong dies. 
     The floating jaw  12  can have a curved rocking shoulder  105  configured to rest on recess face  109 ; thereby allowing the floating jaw  12  to rock and float back and forth on the recess face  109 . 
     A gripping cylinder  42  can be attached to the arm frame  8  via a cylinder fastener  40  that can pass through the gripping cylinder hole  16   a , through a gripping cylinder tail hole  44 , and the gripping cylinder hole  16   b . The gripping cylinder  42  can be fixedly and removably secured to the arm frame  8  via the cylinder fastener  40 . 
     The gripping cylinder  42  can nest adjacent to the arm frame  8  and extend longitudinally along the arm frame  8  from an attaching point. 
     The gripping cylinder  42  can be hydraulic and connectable to a hydraulic fluid source, not shown, such as through a hydraulic inlet port  39  and a hydraulic outlet port  41 . 
     The gripping cylinder  42  can be hydraulically operated with hydraulic fluid to extend and retract a moveable rod  43  relative to the gripping cylinder  42 . 
     A counter gripping member  9   a  can be connected on one end to the moveable rod  43  and on another end to a multi-function L-link assembly  65   a.    
     The counter gripping member  9   a  can have a curved frame  130  with an inner recess  131  positioned directly opposite the floating jaw  12 . 
     A pin tee  58  can be secured through an end of the curved frame  130  opposite an engagement post  132 , which can also be secured through the curved frame  130 . 
     The pin tee  58  can simultaneously engage through the curved frame  130  and with the moveable rod  43  to connect the counter gripping member  9   a  with the moveable rod  43 . 
     The engagement post  132  can be removably secured through the curved frame  130  and an eyebolt hole  61  for connecting the counter gripping member  9   a  with the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  and allowing the curved frame  130  to move against to the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a.    
     The counter gripping member  9   a  can include a moveable jaw  212  positioned opposite the floating jaw  12 . One or more opposite tong dies  53   a  and  53   b  can be disposed on the moveable jaw  212  the tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  of the floating jaw  12 . 
     The counter gripping member  9   a  can have one or more lifting slots  62 , allowing an operator or robot to lift up the counter gripping member  9   a.    
     The counter gripping member  9   a  can have one or more storage holes  64  configured to receive the pin tee  58 , such as when the pin tee  58  is disconnected from the moveable rod  43 . 
     The multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  can engage the counter gripping member  9   a  on one side and the arm frame  8  on the opposite side. 
     The multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  can have an L-link body  32  for fixedly engaging the arm frame  8 . For example, the link fastening holes  33   a  and  33   b  can be disposed though the L-link body  32 . Link attachment holes  66   a  and  66   b  can be formed in the arm frame  8 . A link pin  38   a  can be simultaneously secured through the link attachment hole  66   a  and the link fastening hole  33   a , and a link pin  38   b  can be simultaneously secured through the link attachment hole  66   b  and the link fastening hole  33   b ; thereby securing the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  to the arm frame  8 . 
     The multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  has an eyebolt  46 , through which the eyebolt hole  61  can be formed. 
     The eyebolt  46  can extend through a collar  45   a  of the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a . The eyebolt  46  can engage a nut  47  opposite the eyebolt hole  61  for removably attaching the eyebolt  46  within the collar  45   a.    
     In operation, the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  can cause the counter gripping member  9   a  to slip around a perimeter of a tubular while the moveable rod  43  is in an extended position from the gripping cylinder  42 . The tong arm assembly  7  can consistently apply torque around the tubular while hydraulically retracting the moveable rod  43  into the gripping cylinder  42 . 
     As the moveable rod  43  retracts into the gripping cylinder  42 , the tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  can engage and grip one side of the tubular, while the opposite tong dies  53   a  and  53   b  engage and grip the opposite side of the tubular. The tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  and the opposite tong dies  53   a  and  53   b  can engage and grip the tubular on the outer diameter for making up or breaking out the tubular. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the floating jaw, and  FIG. 2B  depicts a cross sectional view of the floating jaw of  FIG. 2A . 
     The floating jaw  12  can have a floating jaw body  100  having a curved rocking shoulder  105  that allows the floating jaw body  100  to float and rock on the arm frame above the recess with a floating movement. 
     The floating jaw  12  can have a face  101  formed on a first side of the floating jaw body  100 . The face  101  can be disposed opposite the curved rocking shoulder  105 . 
     The face  101  can have one or more tong die grooves, such as two parallel floating jaw tong die grooves  104   a  and  104   b.    
     Each parallel floating jaw tong die groove  104   a  and  104   b  can have a pair of sloped groove edges. For example, parallel floating jaw tong die groove  104   a  can have sloped groove edges  108   a  and  108   b , and the parallel floating jaw tong die groove  104   b  can have sloped groove edges  108   c  and  108   d.    
     The floating jaw  12  can have the floating jaw tail  112 , which can be integral with the floating jaw body  100 , and can extend from the floating jaw body  100  opposite the face  101 . 
     The floating jaw tail  112  can have the tail hole  26  disposed therethrough. 
     The floating jaw tail extension  116  can be connected with the floating jaw tail  112  and can extend therefrom. The floating jaw body  100 , floating jaw tail  112 , and floating jaw tail extension  116  can be a one-piece integral structure. 
     The floating jaw  12  can have a floating jaw body width  118 , which can be larger than a floating tail width  117 . 
     The floating jaw  12  can have a floating jaw body length  119 , which can be larger than a floating tail length  120 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the floating jaw. 
     The floating jaw  12  can have three parallel floating tong die grooves  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c , which can each slidably receive and supports a tong die. 
     Each parallel floating tong die groove  104   a - 104   c  cab gave a compression means, such as detents  107   a ,  107   b , and  107   c . The detents  107   a - 107   c  can hold the tong dies within the parallel floating tong die groove  104   a - 104   c  and between the sloped groove edges thereof. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of the moveable jaw  212  according to one or more embodiments. 
     The moveable jaw  212  can have a moveable jaw top face  222  with a pair of moveable tong die grooves  218   a  and  218   b  formed therein. 
     A pair of tong die lips can be formed on each moveable tong die groove  218   a  and  218   b . For example, tong die lips  220   a  and  220   b  can be formed on moveable tong die groove  218   a . The tong die lips  220   a  and  220   b  can slope inwardly for retaining the opposite tong dies  53   a  and  53   b.    
     The moveable jaw  212  can have a first pair of moveable jaw side flanges  244   a  and  244   b  and a second pair of moveable jaw side flanges  242   a  and  242   b . The moveable jaw side flanges  244   a  and  244   b  and  242   a  and  242   b  can provide a secure connection with the inner recess of the curved frame. 
     The moveable jaw  212  can have one or more compression means  240  for the opposite tong ties  53   a  and  53   b  for applying pressure to the opposite tong dies  53   a  and  53   b  disposed within the moveable jaw tong die grooves  218   a  and  218   b.    
       FIG. 5  depicts an exploded perspective view of the tong arm assembly  7   b  according one or more embodiments. 
     The tong arm assembly  7   b  can include the arm frame  8  having the recess  18 , the gripping cylinder holes  16   a  and  16   b , the makeup/breakout cylinder holes  90   a , the first recess hole  22 , the second recess hole  23 , the link attachment holes  66   a  and  66   b , the top plate  60 , the bottom plate  63 , and the side support plate  59 . 
     The tong arm assembly  7   b  can include the gripping cylinder  42  with the moveable rod  43  and the gripping cylinder tail hole  44 . The gripping cylinder  42  can be fixedly but removably secured to the arm frame  8  via the cylinder fastener  40  engaging through the gripping cylinder tail hole  44  and the gripping cylinder holes  16   a  and  16   b.    
     The tong arm assembly  7   b  can include floating jaw  12  partially disposed within the recess  18  and secured to the arm frame  8  via the first fastener  20  extending through the first recess hole  22 , the second recess hole  23 , and the tail hole  26 . The floating jaw tail extension  116  can extend into the recess  18 . 
     The floating jaw  12  can have one or more tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  slidably and removably attached to the floating jaw  12  opposite the recess  18 . 
     The tong arm assembly  7   b  can include a counter gripping member  9   b  connected on one end to the moveable rod  43  and on the opposite end with an embodiment of the multi-function L-link assembly  65   b.    
     A locking link  55  of the counter gripping member  9   b  can be connected in series with a plurality of chain links  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c ,  54   d , and  54   e . The pin tee  58  can be secured through the locking link  55  and the moveable rod  43  for connecting the counter gripping member  9   b  thereto. 
     A handle  57  can be attached to the locking link  55 , and can allow for lifting or lowering of the locking link  55 . 
     The plurality of chain links  54   a - 54   e  can be connected in series to a connecting link assembly  49  of the counter gripping member  9   b  opposite the movable rod  43 . The connecting link assembly  49  having a top link plate  51  and a bottom link plate  52  connected by a pivot post  50 . 
     The pivot post  50  can also engage through a pivot hole  48  of the multi-function L-link assembly  65   b  for connecting the counter gripping member  9   b  thereto. 
     The pivot hole  48  can be formed through an L-member  36  of the multi-function L-link assembly  65   b.    
     The L-member  36  can have L-member fastening holes  37   a  and  37   b  for fastening the L-member  36  to the arm frame  8  via the link pins  38   a  and  38   b  and the link attachment holes  66   a  and  66   b.    
     Each chain link  54   a - 54   e  can support one or more chain link opposite tong dies, such as chain link opposite tong dies  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c ,  56   d , and  56   e.    
     In operation, the chain links  54   a - 54   e  can easily slip over the outer perimeter of a tubular, such as a tubular having an uneven outer diameter. 
     The chain links  54   a - 54   e  can flexibly and moveably connect around the tubular while the moveable rod  43  is in an extended position. 
     Torque can be applied to the tubular by retracting the moveable rod  43  into the gripping cylinder  42 . The chain link opposite tong dies  56   a - 56   e  can engage and grip the tubular, and the chain links  54   a - 54   e  can tighten around the tubular. The tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  and the chain link opposite tong dies  56   a - 56   e  can grip the tubular, allowing for making up or breaking out of the tubular. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an exploded perspective view of the tong arm assembly  7   c  according to one or more embodiments. 
     The tong arm assembly  7   c  can include the arm frame  8  having the recess  18 , the gripping cylinder holes  16   a  and  16   b , the makeup/breakout cylinder holes  90   a , the first recess hole  22 , the second recess hole  23 , the link attachment holes  66   a  and  66   b , the top plate  60 , the bottom plate  63 , and the side support plate  59 . 
     The tong arm assembly  7   c  can include the gripping cylinder  42  with the moveable rod  43  and the gripping cylinder tail hole  44 . The gripping cylinder  42  can be fixedly but removably secured to the arm frame  8  via the cylinder fastener  40  engaging through the gripping cylinder tail hole  44  and the gripping cylinder holes  16   a  and  16   b.    
     The tong arm assembly  7   c  can include floating jaw  12  partially disposed within the recess  18  and secured to the arm frame  8  via the first fastener  20  extending through the first recess hole  22 , the second recess hole  23 , and the tail hole  26 . The floating jaw tail extension  116  can extend into the recess  18 . 
     The floating jaw  12  can have one or more tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  slidably and removably attached to the floating jaw  12  opposite the recess  18 . 
     The tong arm assembly  7   b  can include the counter gripping member  9   b  connected on one end to the moveable rod  43  and on the opposite end with an embodiment of the multi-function L-link assembly  65   c.    
     The counter gripping member  9   b  can include the locking link  55 , the plurality of chain links  54   a - 54   e , the pin tee  58 , the handle  57 , the connecting link assembly  49  with the top link plate  51 , the bottom link plate  52 , and the pivot post  50 . 
     The pivot post  50  can engage through the eyebolt hole  61  of the eyebolt  46 . 
     The multi-function L-link assembly  65   c  can include a connecting member  34  with a collar  45   b.    
     The eyebolt  46  can be secured within the collar  45   b  via the nut  47 . 
     The connecting member  34  can have connecting member fastening holes  35   a  and  35   b  for fastening the connecting member  34  to the arm frame  8  via the link pins  38   a  and  38   b.    
     In operation of the tong arm assembly  7   c , the chain links  54   a - 54   e  easily slip over tubulars, such as tubulars with uneven outer diameters, and can flexibly and moveably connect around the tubulars while the moveable rod  43  is in an extended position. When torque is applied to tighten the chain links  54   a - 54   e  around the tubulars and the moveable rod  43  is retracted into the gripping cylinder  42 , the tong dies  31   a  and  31   b  and the chain links opposite tong dies  56   a - 56   e  can grip the tubulars. As such, torque is applied to the tubulars, allowing for making up or breaking out of the tubulars. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a cross sectional view of the floating jaw shown in  FIG. 2A  engaged in the arm frame. 
     The recess  18  can have a large opening  19  and a small opening  21  contiguous with the large opening  19 . 
     The large opening  19  can have an area that is larger than the floating jaw tail  112 , allowing for lateral, and side-to-side movement of the floating jaw tail  112  within the large opening  19 . 
     The recess holes of the arm frame  8  can open into the large opening  19 , through which the first fastener  20  can pass for hold the floating jaw tail  112  within the large opening  19 . As such, the floating jaw tail  112  can rock about the first fastener  20  when the curved rocking shoulder  105  of the floating jaw  12  moves on the recess face. 
     The small opening  21  can have an area and width that is larger than the floating jaw tail extension  116 , allowing for rocking movement of the floating jaw tail extension  116  in the small opening  21 . 
     In one or more embodiments, a recess detent, not shown, can be mounted in the arm frame  8  for applying compression to the floating jaw tail extension  116  within the recess  18  for resetting the floating jaw  12  to a load free position. 
     The shape of the floating jaw tail  112  and the floating jaw tail extension  116  with the curved rocking shoulder  105  resting on the recess face, in addition to the movement permitted in the large opening  19  and the small opening  19 , can compensate for any rolling motion of a tubular away from the tong dies. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a detailed cross sectional view of a tong die with teeth usable on the floating jaw, movable jaw, or both. 
     The tong die  31   a  can have one or more teeth  110   a  and  110   h.    
     The tong die  31   a  can have sloped sides  111   a  and  111   b . The sloped sides  111   a  and  111   b  can be at angles  113   a  and angle  113   b  away from a vertical. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a detailed cross sectional view of teeth of a tong die usable on the floating jaw, moveable jaw, or both. 
     The tong die  31   b  can have teeth having flat faces  115   a  and  115   p.    
     The teeth can be supported on a base  121 , which can be made of a different material than the teeth. 
     A cut  198  can be disposed in the tong die  31   b  opposite the teeth, and can be configured to receive a detent or ball, which can be pushed via a spring for holding the tong die  31   b  in the tong die groove. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of an arm frame  8  according to one or more embodiments. 
     The side support plate  59  can be positioned between the top plate  60  and the bottom plate  63 . The side support plate  59  can be contained within outer edges of the top plate  60  and the bottom plate  63 . 
     The arm frame  8  can include one or more additional supports  149  disposed between the top plate  60  and the bottom plate  63 . 
     The side support plate  59  can have the recess  18  formed therein, between the top plate  60  and the bottom plate  63 . The recess  18  can be configured to receive and contain the floating jaw tail and the floating jaw tail extension of floating jaw  12 . The first fastener  20  can extend through the tail hole  26  for securing the floating jaw  12 . 
     The recess face  109  can be formed into the top plate  60  and the bottom plate  63 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts a top view of a tong assembly with the tong arm assembly and floating jaw installed therein,  FIG. 12  depicts a top perspective view of the tong assembly of  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 13  depicts a front view of the tong assembly of FIG.  11 , and  FIG. 14  depicts a side view of the tong assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
     The tong assembly  6 A can be a one-arm tong assembly, or a two arm tong assembly, as depicted, having a top tong arm assembly  7  for use as a makeup/breakout arm, and a backup arm  10 . 
     The tong assembly  6 A can be mounted on a skid  71 . The skid  71  can be made of steel or a steel alloy. 
     A hinge  72  can extend from the skid  71  and can be made of steel or a steel alloy. A body  84  can connect to the hinge  72  and can be made of steel or a steel alloy. 
     The tong arm assembly  7  can be mounted to the body  84 , and can include a top gripping cylinder  140  in place of the gripping cylinder. 
     The backup arm  10  can be identical to the tong arm assembly  7  described herein, but can include a bottom gripping cylinder  141  instead of the gripping cylinder. The backup arm  10  can be mounted to the body  84  in parallel with the tong arm assembly  7 . 
     The tong assembly  6 A can include a hydraulic control assembly  74  connected to the tong arm assembly  7  and the backup arm  10 . The hydraulic control assembly  74  can include a hydraulic inlet  75  for receiving hydraulic fluid from a fluid source and a hydraulic outlet  76  for releasing the hydraulic fluid back to the fluid source. 
     The tong assembly  6 A can have a makeup/breakout hydraulic cylinder  77  connected with the arm frame  8  via the makeup/breakout cylinder hole and to the body  84 . 
     A spring bar  78  can connect to the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a  via a retaining spring  81  that connects between the spring bar  78  and the multi-function L-link assembly  65   a.    
     A spring adjustment device  82  can be used to increase or decrease compression on the retaining spring  81 . 
     A vertical lifting bar  80  can connect to the body  84  for vertically lifting the tong assembly  6 A. A horizontal lifting bar  83  can connect to the body  84  for horizontally lifting the tong assembly  6 A. 
     A safety chain  133  can be connected between the arm frame  8  and the top gripping cylinder  140  to limit movement of the top gripping cylinder  140  away from the arm frame  8 . 
     A pressure gauge  73  can be connected to the hydraulic control assembly  74  or monitoring pressure in the hydraulic control assembly  74 , the top gripping cylinder  140 , the bottom gripping cylinder  141 , and one or more conduits  134  between the gripping cylinders  140  and  141 , inlet ports, outlet ports, and the hydraulic control assembly  74 . In one or more embodiments, the inlet ports and outlet ports can be quick disconnects. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a top view of another embodiment of the tong assembly. 
     The tong assembly  6 B can have a tong arm assembly  7  with a removable but non-moving jaw  142  mounted flush with the arm frame  8 . 
     An actuator  85  can be mounted to the body  84 . 
     A transmitter/receiver  86  can be mounted to the body  84  or the actuator  85 , and can be in communication with the actuator  85 . 
     A power supply  87 , which can be an on-board power supply or a power connection, can be in communication with the actuator  85 . The power supply  87  can provide power directly to the tong assembly  6 B or can allow the tong assembly  6 B to be connected to an external power supply, such as a generator. The power supply  87  can provide power to the actuator  85  and transmitter/receiver  86 . 
     A remote control  88 , which can be operated by a user remote from the tong assembly  6 B, can be in communication with the transmitter/receiver  86  to provide commands to actuate the hydraulic control assembly  74 . 
     In one or more embodiments, pressure sensors  103   a  and  103   b  can be in or on the top gripping cylinder  140 , the bottom gripping cylinder  141 , or combinations thereof. In operation, the pressure sensors  103   a  and  103   b  can be in communication with the remote control  88 , such as via the transmitter/receiver  86 , for transmitting sensed pressures of the gripping cylinders  140  and  141  thereto. 
       FIG. 16A  depicts an embodiment of the remote control  88  and  FIG. 16B  depicts a diagram detailing internal components of the remote control  88 . The remote control  88  can be used to control the tong assembly and tong arm assembly. 
     The remote control  88  can include an on/off button  91  for turning the tong assembly on and off. 
     The remote control  88  can include a grip close button  92  for hydraulically closing the tong arm assembly to grip around a tubular. 
     The remote control  88  can include a grip release button  93  for hydraulically releasing the grip of the tong arm assembly from a tubular. 
     The remote control  88  can include a calibration button  94  for calibrating a size of a tubular with the tong arm assembly. 
     The remote control  88  can include an apply torque button  95  for applying a preset torque to the tubular with the tong arm assembly. 
     The remote control  88  can include a processor  96  in communication with the various buttons of the remote control  88 . 
     The remote control  88  can include a data storage  97  in communication with the processor  96 . 
     The data storage  97  can include computer instructions to apply pressure  98 , which can be actuated when the grip close button  92  is actuated. 
     The data storage  97  can include a library of preset pressures for different tubulars  99 . 
     The data storage  97  can include computer instructions to calibrate the tong arm assembly with a tubular  102 , which can be actuated when the calibration button  94  is actuated. 
     In operation, the remote control  88  can receive sensed pressures from the pressure sensors for storage in the data storage and comparison with preset pressures in the library of preset pressures for different tubulars  99 . 
     While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.