What it is

The Milwaukee M18™ FORCE LOGIC™ 6T Linear Utility Crimper (2978‑20) is a battery‑powered, 6‑ton hydraulic linear crimper built on the M18 platform. This listing is the tool only power unit (no batteries, no charger, and no jaws included). Add the appropriate jaws, W‑style dies and an M18 battery to make it job‑ready.

Key capabilities

• Crimping force: 6 tons (6T).
• Crimp applications (with proper jaws/dies): up to 4/0 line taps (using correct W‑style dies and jaws such as O‑D3, BG‑D3, etc.).
• Interchangeable jaws: accepts Milwaukee 6T jaw family (e.g., O‑D3, BG‑D3) — jaws sold separately.
• Cutting (depending on cutting jaw): up to ~750 MCM Cu, ~1000 MCM Al, 477 ACSR, 1/2" EHS guy wire, 3/8" rebar, and 3/8" ground rod (select the correct cutter jaw for the application).
• Cycle time: ~2.5 seconds per crimp.

Design & ergonomics

• Inline body for reach and control in tight areas (overhead, cabinets, pole hardware).
• 340° rotating head for flexible positioning around conductors.
• Slim grip & enlarged trigger — operable with Class 3 rubber gloves.
• Dual electronic release buttons for right‑ or left‑handed use without changing your grip.
• Reinforced nylon body for durability and lighter weight.

Performance & electronics

• Predictive Force Monitoring (PFM™): monitors pressure in real time to ensure each crimp reaches full force before cycle completion and provides instant verification.
• Green LED cycle indicator: confirms the crimp reached required pressure.
• Pre‑crimp battery check: prevents starting a crimp with insufficient battery to finish the cycle.
• Brushless motor and fully sealed REDLINK™ electronics for protection against dust, dirt and moisture.
• Hydraulics: enclosed high‑speed hydraulic pump for reliability and low maintenance.

ONE‑KEY™ & data

• Integrated Milwaukee ONE‑KEY™ for Bluetooth tracking and location history.
• Data logging of crimp cycles and cloud sync to generate reports and proof of completed crimps for quality control or project documentation.

Power, durability & operating range

• Battery platform: M18 REDLITHIUM™ (works with any M18 pack; higher‑capacity packs recommended for heavy use).
• Operating temperature: approx. ‑4°F to 140°F (‑20°C to 60°C).

Size & weight

• Length: 16.2 in
• Height: ~5.1 in
• Width: ~2.8 in
• Weight (tool only): ~4.24–4.25 lb
• Weight (with heaviest M18 battery): about 12 lb (varies by pack)

Compatibility & what “Tool Only” means

The 2978‑20 is the bare power unit. To use it you must add:

1. At least one compatible M18 REDLITHIUM™ battery (we commonly recommend 5.0Ah or larger for heavy crimping duty; HIGH‑CAPACITY/XC packs or HIGH OUTPUT packs improve cycle consistency).
2. An M18 charger.
3. Compatible crimping or cutting jaw(s) — for example O‑D3 or BG‑D3 (sold separately or available in kits).
4. Appropriate W‑style dies for the specific conductor/connector you will crimp.

Important: always choose the correct jaw and W‑style die for the conductor and connector you are crimping to meet industry specs.

Typical use cases

• Utility line work (overhead and underground) for taps, splices and service connections up to 4/0.
• Portable on‑pole or in‑truck crimping where a 6T solution replaces manual or heavier electric/hydraulic presses.
• Cutting large conductors and hardware when using a cutting jaw (ACSR, Cu, Al, guy wire, rebar, ground rod).
• Jobs that require documented, repeatable crimps with chain‑of‑custody or QC reporting.

Recommended add‑ons & choices

To equip your 2978‑20 for common jobs we typically recommend:

• Batteries: M18 REDLITHIUM 5.0Ah (or larger XC/HIGH OUTPUT) for dependable cycle completion on heavy crimps.
• Charger: any M18 compatible charger that matches your pack type.
• Jaws: O‑D3 and BG‑D3 are common crimp jaw options — choose based on the connectors you use. Milwaukee offers eight interchangeable 6T jaws for this platform.
• Dies: Industry standard W‑style dies — pick the die set sized to your connector (4/0, 2/0, 1/0, etc.).

If you already own W‑style dies from another 6T system, mention the part numbers and we’ll verify compatibility.

How T and A Tools can help

Tell us how you plan to use the crimper and we’ll recommend the exact jaw(s) and W‑style die sizes to match your conductors/connectors. Helpful details:

• Conductor types & sizes you’ll crimp or cut (e.g., 4/0 Cu, 750 MCM Cu, 477 ACSR, etc.)
• Primary tasks: crimping only, cutting only, or both
• Work environment: overhead pole, underground vaults, service trucks
• If you prefer a specific battery capacity or already have M18 packs

Once you provide that, we’ll recommend a complete parts list (jaws, dies, battery and charger) and a price quote.