US Patent 8733213 Power tong apparatus

A power tong apparatus is provided. The power can include a vertical riser assembly for attaching to a drilling rig, and a swing arm assembly pivotally attached to the vertical riser assembly. The apparatus can include a power tong assembly pivotally attached to the swing arm assembly. The power tong assembly can include a back-up tong to grip a first pipe, and a power tong to grip and rotate a second pipe to make or break a joint between the pipes. The power tong can include a jaw assembly that, when rotated, grips the second pipe. The power tong can include a hydraulic motor to operate a drive chain or belt to rotate the jaw assembly.