DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 3/4 in. High Torque Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil (Tool Only)

Why I reached for a 3/4-inch impact

Rotors seized to hubs, rusted suspension bolts, mower blades that haven’t moved in years—these are the jobs that made me reach for DeWalt’s 3/4-inch impact wrench. I’ve used plenty of 1/2-inch high-torques for automotive work, but heavy equipment and agricultural fasteners can be a different league. This DeWalt steps into that space with a 3/4-inch hog ring anvil, a brushless motor, and torque ratings that put it firmly in the “break it loose or break it off” category.

Build and first impressions

The tool feels purpose-built for shop use. The glass-filled nylon housing shrugs off greasy hands and cleaners better than standard plastic; mine cleaned up easily after a day around hydraulic fluid, and the overmold still has grip when it’s oily. At roughly 8 pounds bare, it’s not light, and with a larger battery you’re into two-handed territory for most jobs. The length (about 9 inches) is reasonable for the class, and I could maneuver it inside wheel wells and under frames without playing Tetris.

The 3/4-inch hog ring anvil is stout and well machined. Socket swaps are quick—push on, pull off—and retention is strong enough that I didn’t leave sockets behind in deep wells. If you routinely work overhead or in places where losing a socket would be costly, a pin-detent anvil offers the most security; for most shop and field work, this hog ring hits the right balance of speed and hold.

Power where it counts

A tool like this lives or dies on torque. DeWalt lists up to 1,420 ft-lbs fastening and 1,900 ft-lbs breakaway, and while lab numbers never tell the whole story, the performance matched expectations. On a skid loader, it walked out carriage bolts that my 1/2-inch high-torque only rattled at. Lug nuts on a medium-duty truck—off without drama. The moment that sealed it was a set of mower (rotary cutter) blades that hadn’t budged in ages; after a few seconds of hammering, the anvil spooled up and the nut released with a satisfying lurch.

Two things stood out in use:

• The hammering feels deliberate rather than frantic. At a max 2,015 impacts per minute and 1,200 RPM free speed, it’s not the fastest-spinning tool, but the blows are heavy and effective on large fasteners.
• There’s an automatic increase in power after extended impacting. If a fastener doesn’t move right away, the tool ramps and hits harder after a short burst. You can feel this transition, and it often makes the difference on stubborn fasteners without immediately hitting everything at full tilt.

For fastener installation, the raw muscle is there, but I relied on the control features to keep from overdoing it.

Controls and Precision Wrench mode

The interface is simple: a four-mode push-button selects three speed settings plus Precision Wrench mode, and also gives you LED brightness control. A variable trigger lets you feather the start, which is especially helpful on large threads that like to cross-bind if you come in hot.

Precision Wrench mode is genuinely useful. During tightening, it’ll drive quickly, then back off as the fastener seats to reduce the chance of over-torque or snap-off. During loosening, it slows when a nut breaks free so it doesn’t spin off and launch. I used Precision for seating wheel nuts and flange bolts, then finished with a torque wrench. That’s the right workflow in my book: let the impact get you close and fast, then verify with hand torque.

If I have a nitpick, it’s that the LED and speed share controls; a dedicated light button would be cleaner. That said, the work light is bright and well-placed, and being able to bump brightness is handy under frames or inside drums where a headlamp throws shadows.

Ergonomics and handling

This is a heavy-duty tool, and it feels like one. The balance is good with a 5.0Ah pack and better with a compact high-output pack; with the biggest batteries the nose pitches forward a bit. The grip is comfortable, and the trigger modulation is fine-grained enough to start threads carefully. You will want two hands for long runs at head height, and you should plan your stance before you pull the trigger on max torque—it can kick when a fastener lets go.

Vibration is typical of the class. Gloves help, and hearing protection isn’t optional when you’re laying into a stubborn rusted bolt; the percussive sound is sharp in enclosed spaces.

Hog ring practicality and sockets

For 3/4-inch work, socket mass and retention matter. The hog ring on this DeWalt holds heavy sockets securely yet still allows quick swaps—a sweet spot for fleet and equipment maintenance where you’re bouncing around sizes. If you work in the dirt or overhead, wipe the ring occasionally; grit can make removal sticky. I didn’t experience accidental drops, and the ring has enough spring tension to inspire confidence without needing a pry bar to remove a socket.

Runtime and batteries

High-torque impacts are battery-hungry. On large fasteners that come loose in seconds, runtime is excellent. On marathon rust-removal sessions, expect to cycle batteries. I had the best results with higher-capacity 20V packs; a 5.0Ah is a sensible minimum, and the larger packs deliver longer sustained power without the tool feeling starved. The brushless motor’s efficiency helps, and the tool doesn’t feel like it’s throttling itself under continuous load unless you’re really leaning on it for extended periods, at which point heat is your limiting factor more than battery.

Durability and shop life

Between the chemical-resistant housing and the robust front-end, this feels built for a real shop. The nose has protective bumpers, and the shell wipes down without haze or tackiness after exposure to oil and solvent. Over a few weeks of mixed use, I saw no looseness develop in the anvil or any mode switch oddities. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day money-back window—reassuring for a tool you’re going to beat on.

Where it fits—and where it might be overkill

If your work lives in the heavy lane—diesel pickups, medium-duty trucks, agricultural implements, construction equipment—this 3/4-inch impact makes immediate sense. It outguns 1/2-inch impacts and untethers you from air lines without giving up the sheer authority needed for big hardware. For general automotive or homeowner tasks, it’s frankly more tool (and weight) than you need; a good 1/2-inch high-torque is easier to live with unless you frequently find yourself at the limits.

Limitations and small wishes

• Weight: Eight pounds bare is substantial. Plan on two-handed use and mindful positioning.
• Control scheme: Sharing the LED and speed selection is functional but not ideal; a separate light control would be cleaner.
• Size: While compact for its class, it won’t fit where a mid-torque will. You’ll still need smaller impacts for cramped spots.
• Battery appetite: Big torque consumes electrons. Budget for at least two higher-capacity packs if you’re on the tool all day.

None of these are deal-breakers, and most are inherent to the tool’s mission.

Practical tips for best results

• Use Precision Wrench to seat and to prevent spin-off, then finish with a torque wrench for final spec.
• Keep a mix of deep and impact-rated thin-wall sockets; heavy fasteners often hide in recesses.
• Pre-soak rusted hardware and let the tool impact for a few seconds to trigger the power ramp when needed.
• Stabilize your stance and support the tool nose on the work when possible to control recoil.

Recommendation

I recommend DeWalt’s 3/4-inch impact for anyone who regularly tackles heavy-duty fasteners and wants serious cordless muscle without an air hose. It combines real-world breaking power with thoughtful control features—Precision Wrench, variable trigger, and a sensible mode layout—that make it effective for both removal and careful installation. The hog ring anvil strikes the right balance of quick changes and secure retention, and the chemical-resistant housing stands up to shop life.

It’s not the right first impact for light automotive work or occasional DIY; the weight and cost are hard to justify if you rarely see big hardware. But if you’re in fleet maintenance, agriculture, construction, or you routinely fight seized, high-torque fasteners, this tool earns its space on the cart. It saves time, saved my knuckles, and crucially, it did what smaller or air-dependent tools couldn’t—reliably, and without drama.