Hydraulic Couplers difficult to connect

[claitner]

I recently added a grapple to a compact utility tractor. The tractor has hydraulic couplings in the rear that are easy to connect to since the hydraulic fittings on the tractor are firmly attached to the tractor itself. The hydraulic coupler fittings at the grapple however are extremely difficult to connect because i cannot easily hold the sleeve on the female fitting back to allow the male fitting to be inserted. Great hand strength is required! Is there a tool available to make this connection easier or is there a specific coupling that I should buy that can be firmly attached to the grapple frame? Note: this is NOT an issue of static hydraulic pressure in the lines, the problem is the force required to hold the female coupler sleeve back when joining the couplings. If I just had three hands there would be no problem.

 

[Zebrafive]

How are your loader couplers mounted? Or not mounted at all?
Faster makes a single point coupler that uses a lever to engage the couplers. They make a single function (two couplers), as well as two and three function, maybe more.
They are optional on new JD loaders. NOT CHEAP! But you can sometimes find eBay for a lot less!

 

[LouNY]

There are these;
Hydraulic Multi Coupler Plates and Custom Solutions | Stucchi USA
and all these;
multi port lever connect hydraulic quick couplers at DuckDuckGo
and most female quick connects can be bulkhead mounted to a bracket which would make that half rigid,
https://ph.parker.com/us/en/quick-couplings-hydraulic-up-to-3000-psi-iso-5675-8200-series
and this is a some what handy coupler;
https://ph.parker.com/us/en/pioneer-agricultural-quick-coupler-clamp-kits-hydraulic-up-to-3000-psi-iso-5675-9500-series

 

[ericm979]

The Parker 4200 couplers aren't just for bulkhead installations. The female halves have sleeves that work both ways. So you can push the female and male parts together instead of having to pull the sleeve back but push the couplers together. And the springs inside are not as stiff as some other couplers.

4200s only cost $5 more than the cheapest 1/2" ag couplers and are available at TSC. They're the easiest to use that I have found so I have put them on all my implements and replaced some of the couplers on the tractor with them.

BTW in my experience "connect under pressure" couplers like the 8200s have stiffer springs making them much harder to connect and disconnect.

 

[claitner]

thank you for the replies. The couplers on the tractor are firmly mounted on a plate. There is no problem in connecting the hydraulic lines there. The couplers on the attachments are simply on the end of the hydraulic hose.

 

[Zebrafive]

thank you for the replies. The couplers on the tractor are firmly mounted on a plate. There is no problem in connecting the hydraulic lines there. The couplers on the attachments are simply on the end of the hydraulic hose.

So your loader quick couplers for the grapple are simply on the end of the hose? If so, fabricate a mount for them.

 

[oosik]

Zebrafive is dead nuts on. Put your grapple hydraulic ends on a mounting plate. Then you will be able to use both hands to make the connection.