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Winding nuts and bolts on and off by hand is one of the slowest parts of any service, repair or installation. The DEWALT 18V XR cordless ratchet range takes the effort out of it. There are now six models available in South Africa, covering 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives, standard and extended heads, and a multi-head option. This guide explains what each ratchet does, which one suits your work, and where to buy them.
A cordless ratchet spins fasteners on and off at up to 250 rpm (450 rpm on the multi-head model), in the same tight spaces where you would use a hand ratchet. It is built for speed in confined areas such as engine bays, machine housings, ceiling voids and panels, where an impact wrench is too bulky.
The DEWALT range also lets you use the tool as a manual ratchet. Each model has a manually applied max torque rating: the most torque you can apply by hand with the motor stopped, without damaging the tool's mechanism. On the 1/2" and 3/8" models, that is up to 237 Nm. So you can crack a fastener loose by hand, then let the motor spin it off, or run a fastener down with the motor and finish it by hand.
| Model | Description | Drive | Max torque | Manually applied max torque | Speed | Length | Weight (without battery) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCF514N-XJ | 1/4" ratchet | 1/4" | 54 Nm | 81 Nm | 0–250 rpm | 336 mm | 1.1 kg |
| DCF514EN-XJ | 1/4" ratchet, extended head | 1/4" | 54 Nm | 81 Nm | 0–250 rpm | 460 mm | 1.3 kg |
| DCF513EN-XJ | 3/8" ratchet, extended head | 3/8" | 95 Nm | 237 Nm | 0–250 rpm | 463 mm | 1.3 kg |
| DCF512N-XJ | 1/2" ratchet | 1/2" | 95 Nm | 237 Nm | 0–250 rpm | 360 mm | 1.1 kg |
| DCF512EN-XJ | 1/2" ratchet, extended head | 1/2" | 95 Nm | 237 Nm | 0–250 rpm | 463 mm | 1.3 kg |
| DCF520N-XJ | Multi-head ratchet | 1/4" + 3/8" + hex | 67 Nm | 67 Nm | 0–450 rpm | 362 mm | 1.3 kg |
All six run on DEWALT 18V XR batteries and are supplied as bare units, with no battery, charger or case.
The 1/4" brushless ratchets deliver 54 Nm in a compact body, for the small fasteners found on trim, panels, sensors, brackets and electrical fittings. The standard DCF514N-XJ is the most compact model in the range at 336 mm. The DCF514EN-XJ adds an extended-reach neck (460 mm overall) to get deep behind components without removing them first.
The 3/8" drive is the everyday size for most automotive and maintenance work. The DCF513EN-XJ brushless ratchet delivers 95 Nm through an extended-reach neck (463 mm overall), and you can apply up to 237 Nm by hand with the motor stopped. It's the natural all-rounder for a workshop technician's toolbox.
The 1/2" brushless ratchets handle larger fasteners with 95 Nm of motor torque and up to 237 Nm applied by hand. The DCF512N-XJ keeps a slim, 360 mm body for tight spaces, while the DCF512EN-XJ extends to 463 mm for deeper reach. Use them with your 1/2" impact sockets for a quick swap between your impact wrench and ratchet.
The DCF520N-XJ combines 1/4" and 3/8" drives with a hex drive in one tool, so you can switch between socket sizes and bits without swapping ratchets. At up to 450 rpm, it is also the fastest ratchet in the range, delivering 67 Nm. It's a strong choice if you want one ratchet that covers most light and medium fastening jobs.
Automotive workshops and mechanics. Remove and refit valve covers, intake manifolds, timing covers, water pumps, alternators, brackets and underbody panels in crowded engine bays. The extended-head models reach fasteners buried behind hoses and wiring without stripping out extra components.
Truck, fleet and plant maintenance. Speed up routine servicing on trucks, buses, forklifts and earthmoving equipment, where many fasteners sit in awkward, hard-to-reach positions.
Industrial and mining maintenance. Remove guards, covers and access panels on conveyors, pumps, motors and gearboxes quickly during planned shutdowns, when every minute of downtime counts.
HVAC and refrigeration technicians. Open and close unit panels, mount brackets and work on fan and motor assemblies inside cramped plant rooms and roof spaces.
Solar and electrical installers. Run down clamps and bolts on mounting rails, brackets and enclosures far faster than with a hand ratchet, with the control to finish each fastener by hand.
Agricultural and motorcycle technicians. Work on tractors, implements, bakkies and bikes, where a compact 1/4" or 3/8" ratchet fits where a larger tool can't.
Shopfitters and racking installers. Assemble shelving, racking and steel framing systems with dozens of repetitive bolts, without the wrist fatigue of hand ratcheting.
For seized or heavily torqued fasteners, such as wheel nuts and suspension bolts, pair your ratchet with a DEWALT 18V impact wrench. Break the fastener free with the impact wrench, then use the ratchet to spin it off quickly in the tight spots.
Every ratchet in the range runs on the DEWALT 18V XR battery platform, so if you already own DEWALT 18V XR tools, your batteries and chargers fit straight away. For a light, well-balanced ratchet, a compact battery such as the DCBP034-XJ 1.7Ah POWERSTACK or the DCB183-XJ 2Ah works well. If you're new to the platform, the DCB1104D2-QW kit includes two 2Ah batteries and a charger.
An extended head ratchet has a longer neck for reaching fasteners deep inside engine bays and machinery. The DCF512EN-XJ, for example, is 463 mm long, compared with 360 mm for the standard DCF512N-XJ. Both have the same drive size and torque.
It is the maximum torque you can apply by hand with the ratchet after the motor stops, without damaging the tool's mechanism. It's up to 237 Nm on the 1/2" and 3/8" models, 81 Nm on the 1/4" models, and 67 Nm on the DCF520N-XJ multi-head.
A cordless ratchet is designed for speed rather than breaking tight fasteners. Break a seized or heavily torqued fastener free by hand within the manually applied max torque, or with an impact wrench, then let the ratchet spin it off.
The DCF520N-XJ multi-head ratchet is the fastest in the range, at up to 450 rpm. The other five models run at up to 250 rpm.
No. All six models are supplied as bare units, with no battery, charger or case.
All DEWALT 18V XR batteries fit, including the POWERSTACK range.
CIB Partners is the South African distributor of DEWALT. The full 18V XR cordless ratchet range is available through our network of trade dealers. Visit our CIB showrooms in Johannesburg, Durban (Umhlanga) and Cape Town, use our dealer locator to find your nearest trade stockist, or speak to your CIB sales rep. Click & collect is available, with free delivery on orders over R2,500.
For trade enquiries, call +27 11 434 1170 or email info@cibpartners.co.za.
