Making sense of hydraulic fittings

[jimmer2880]

I had the same thing happen to me on the spool that came with my Koyker FEL. The ports were labeled SAE, so I ordered SAE, but they were really ORB. Go figure.

I, for one, am very sorry that so many of you won't spread your wealth of knowledge on many of the threads because of what someone may say/think? I have found a lot of great info on TBN. I have also posted what I (think I) know. (which, really isn't much, and is virtually nothing when it comes to hydraulics).If anything I ever post is wrong, I expect to be corrected so I don't continue to spread bad info.

 

[johnray13]

Thanks guys for the help. There are indeed o ring ports. Like Andy said, I don't know why there are listed as SAE ports. The plugs that came in the ports have o rings on them. I have ordered adapters for my NPT hose.

Also Andy, your reply was crystal clear.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[billblough]

I am learning a lot just by sitting back and reading these posts, I appreciate everyone's input, (both questions and answers) this is a great website!!

I have finally found something I enjoy doing with my computer.

 

[Farmerford]

I know I am old, but surely someone else on here is also old enough to remember when what are now called straight thread o-ring boss fittings were the only hydraulic fittings with Society of Automotive Engineers specs, and therefore were called "SAE" for short.

During that same period what is now called a SAE 37 degree flare was actually called "AN", which stands for "Army-Navy" because around World War II the Army and Navy (there was no separate Air Force then) got together and established standards for hydraulic, fuel, etc fittings on planes and other military equipment. The establishment of "AN" standards was then taken over by the "Joint Industrial Committee", so the old AN fittings were called JIC fittings. As Wayne County Hose said, JIC went out of business quite a while back and the Society of Automotive Engineers took up responsibility for the specifications.

So now we have straight thread o-ring fittings that are still called "ORB" by those who are out of date but less ancient than me, and are called "SAE" by those many decades behind like me. Most fittings suppliers now call them "SAE straight thread o-ring boss" fittings.

Likewise, 37 degree flare fittings are still called "AN" by some aircraft mechanics and old hot rodders, but even I now use JIC. I notice that fittings suppliers now call them "SAE 37 degree flare" fittings (to distinguish them from 45 degree flare fittings, which were established by SAE for automotive use way back when).

So, when a catalog or web site refers to SAE fittings on a cylinder or valve, they aren't wrong, just "extremely experienced".

 

[bones1]

Farmerford, I remember AN (army-navy) fittings well. Lot's of places still call them that.
AN Fittings from Aircraft Spruce

 

[Wayne County Hose]

For some reason, the automotive/racecar industry still calls them A/N.

There is no SAE 37 degree fitting. All SAE flare fittings are 45 degree, JIC or A/N is 37 degree. SAE and JIC interchange except for -6 and -12. They are different as those 2 sizes are commonly used in propane/gas applications which takes a different hose. They don't want you to go get a hose made and put hyd hose on a propane application. When something comes in SAE, I always make sure to know the application before I make the hose. SAE is also used a lot on low pressure coolant lines.

Hey Farmerford, are you looking for a job? I need some knowledgable help.

 

[yankeerider]

This is a great thread, should be a sticky on this forum.

One additional question: Is a JIC->female ORB an uncommon fitting? I searched through a couple of fitting catalogs today, looking for a tee with JIC flare on the runs and a female port to accept a male ORB on the branch. Didn't hardly see any female ORB ends. Is it called something different?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

JIC to ORB female is about non-existent. ORB female is usually used going into some component. Not usually used to join 2 hoses. You could do what you want with an ORB to pipe adapter, then go into your tee.

Looking back on this thread.......where's Curly been?

 

[Gittyup]

If I may ask....I'm a little confused.

I have to build a hose kit to adapt 1/4" QC ports to 1/2" QC ports. I need 1/4" male QC to bulkhead mouted 1/2" Female QC. Confused on the female side: On the half inch size, I need a female QC to mate with a Pioneer 8010-4P. Are there different Female mates for -4 vs -4P couplers?
Likewise is a Pioneer 4010-2P interchangeable with 4010-2?
Bulkhead adapters are hard to find. Help?



Much Appreciated

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Welcom to Holmbury

Go to the website above, Holmbury Couplings. They have a great selection and their prices are better than the dealers. If you go to the "find a rep" section, you can call a q.d. pro with your questions.
You really need to find a good shop locally. Where are you located? I can find a good distributor thru our distributors network.

Thats one heck of a jump in sizes. Don't expect optimum performance. Also, I've never seen a one piece adapter to do what you want. It will have to be cobbed up and will look ugly, but it will work. Kind of like me.