A 2-26 ratchet sleeve in a hammer drill machine is a component often used to control or adjust the impact force and rotation. Specifically:

Torque Transfer: It helps in transferring torque from the motor to the hammering mechanism.
Speed & Impact Control: Allows adjustment between different modes, like hammering with rotation or just rotation, depending on the drilling task.
Safety: Prevents over-rotation and protects the user from sudden jerks by disengaging or controlling torque in case the drill bit encounters too much resistance.