Coupler styles--why are there 2?

Johnbro · Dec 6, 2010

My new 4240 has manual quick couplings on the loader (like the ones here: Agricultural Quick Couplings - SafeWay Hydraulics - and push-to-connect couplings on the TnT (can't find a picture for sure).

The "manual" style has a collar that must be slid back to connect or disconnect. The "push to connect" style you just theoretically push in and yank and they disconnect. Usually it takes a couple of yanks.

My dealer was SUPPOSED to put the manual style on the TnT but it didn't get done before delivery (they're great and will make the change over at the 50 hr service).

My questions are:

1. Why are there two styles? What's the pros and cons of each, if any?
2. Is it just me, or does anyone else think the push to connect is a big PITA?
3. Should I leave it alone or switch everything to the manual style as originally planned?

SPYDERLK · Dec 6, 2010

The push to connect are good for tractor to towed equipment connections. If something bad happens in use -- or if you forget to disconnect them when taking off the implement they will pull out instead of trying to drag the implement by its hoses.
Good byline. Common use seems to indicate that its easy to loose one thats to/too lose. :confused3:
larry

MtnViewRanch · Dec 6, 2010

I have the push-pull QDs on two of my tractors. One tractor has them mounted very firm, no give what so ever, they work great on this tractor. :thumbsup: On another tractor it is mounted in a manor that is not so rigid, that QD is sort of a pain. :thumbdown: I'm wondering if your QD mounting situation is part of the problem. :confused3:

Willl · Dec 6, 2010

There are 2 (and more) because they try to improve on an already working setup.

They express their improvement as something simpler to use. Is it ?

dex3361 · Dec 6, 2010

I have them on my grapple and I love the push / pull connecting with one hand.

Johnbro · Dec 6, 2010

MtnViewRanch said:
I have the push-pull QDs on two of my tractors. One tractor has them mounted very firm, no give what so ever, they work great on this tractor. :thumbsup: On another tractor it is mounted in a manor that is not so rigid, that QD is sort of a pain. :thumbdown: I'm wondering if your QD mounting situation is part of the problem. :confused3:

Bullseye! Both on my TnT and my buddy's 5240 TnT the Kubota factory mounting bracket for the rear remotes is kind of floppy. When you push in on the coupling the mounting flexes a bit. Maybe that's the problem.

Discount Hydraulic Hose · Dec 7, 2010

Johnbro said:
The "push to connect" style you just theoretically push in and yank and they disconnect. Usually it takes a couple of yanks.

Umm, no. "Push to connect" fittings are just what they sound like. The connect when you push them together. However, you still need to pull the ring back in order to disconnect them. In fact, most of these have a notch on the ring, forcing you to rotate it to the correct position before disconnecting. This prevents accidental release.

This style is also know as "flat face" or "flushface" couplers. They are very popular on skidsteer loaders and other applications.

Besides being easy to connect, flat face couplers are designed to connect and disconnect without dripping. This is important in environments where hydraulic fluid dripping on the ground/floor could result in messy cleanup or worse, fines from the EPA.

They are also designed for higher working pressures and higher flow rates. 1/2 ISO 16028 flat face couplers allow a flow of 17 gpm, while ISO 5675 Agricultural Couplers of the same size only allow 12 gpm.

Both styles of couplers can be seen here.

ISO 16028 Flushface Hydraulic Quick Couplers
aka "Skidsteer Couplers"

ISO 5675 Agricultural Hydraulic Quick Couplers
aka "Pioneer Couplers" because they were popularized the Pioneer Co. before that company was absorbed by Parker-Hannifin.

Besides these two styles, there are several others commonly used in hydraulic applications, including screw-together and wing-nut styles. It would probably be confusing to go over all of them here. The two discussed above are the most commonly found on tractors and other agricultural equipment.

Jay4200 · Dec 7, 2010

Johnbro said:
The "manual" style has a collar that must be slid back to connect or disconnect. The "push to connect" style you just theoretically push in and yank and they disconnect. Usually it takes a couple of yanks.

I have push/pull QCs for my backhoe connections - and I HAVE forgotten to unplug the QCs and driven away from my backhoe a couple of times. Push/pull QCs are brilliant - would've surely ripped the the hoses out otherwize. I don't know why the single-direction QC collars exist, except perhaps for reduced cost.

JayC

rjkobbeman · Dec 7, 2010

Hydraulic Hose Guy said:
Umm, no. "Push to connect" fittings are just what they sound like. The connect when you push them together. However, you still need to pull the ring back in order to disconnect them. In fact, most of these have a notch on the ring, forcing you to rotate it to the correct position before disconnecting. This prevents accidental release.

I believe the "push to connect" reference was to the Agri standard coupler... which is a push to connect and pull to disconnect. No collar or ring to release. You just pull on the hose or fitting.