AS agricultural machine construction improves, the need for reliable coupling of lines on agricultural applications increases. There are risks however and maintenance personnel have to be extremely careful when connecting hoses and attachments to hydraulically powered tractors, implements and harvesters.
There is no substitute for the use of reliable, sturdy and efficient quick release couplings when connecting or disconnecting hydraulic lines.
Specialists in the field, Faster Couplings, confirms that the agricultural sector is the leading field of applications for quick release couplings. This is especially so for hydraulic lines and attachments regularly changed or switched for different tasks. They facilitate quick and safe connection, even with pressurised hydraulic connections. Certain ranges can be connected under residual pressure, minimising hydraulic lock when connecting the respective lines. Often the environment is dusty and dirty, and other particles contaminating the hydraulic system and affecting operating efficiency.
With innovation driving towards greater modularity and flexibility, the capability to easily and quickly connect to and detach several differing attachments from a single machine has become a prerequisite. Faster Couplings has designed its range according to international standards that meet strict inter-changeability specifications and performance.
Hydrasales
As the African distributor for Faster Couplings, Hydrasales carries its wide and extensive product range of agricultural couplings and the Faster range of MultiFaster connections. The company’s depth of knowledge and experience provides support and technical back up for all coupling applications including harvesting.
These proven and tested products connect the hydraulic circuit to rear attachments and to power them. Oil flows from the female couplings on the tractor to the male coupling on the attachment and returns per the application’s design. These are interchangeable according to ISO 7241 part A. they are well constructed with significant features include sleeve retraction, push pull features and allow for a high flow.
Luca Robustelli, Faster’s Export manager advises; “The retractable couplings incorporate a poppet valve shut-off system. The 3CPV series panel mounted female couplings are designed for installation and connection to flexible hoses. They can be connected to male couplings under residual pressure.”
The 3CFPV series can be screwed directly into valve ports or rigid pipes. These Push-Pull female couplings are connectible with males under residual pressure. The more sophisticated 6DNPV series are also Push-Pull female couplings for rigid mounting connectable with male and female under pressure and can be disconnected under pressure with little effort. The high flow series can accommodate a maximum flow rate of 250 l/min.
Flat face couplings
Faster Couplings has an extensive range of flat face couplings specifically designed for ‘Powerbeyond’ applications for power beyond the rear attachments. The sizes of these flat face couplings vary in accordance with class 1 to 3 of the ISO 17567 standard. These attachments, which are interchangeable according to ISO 16028, allow tractors to regulate oil flow and optimize machine performance.
Hydrasales Agriculture product specialist, Lucas Thela says; “The couplings are of high quality with safety built into the design while reducing the possibilities of system leaks.”
Multi Faster range
These products connect multiple lines allowing for an effortless connection even with residual pressure in the system. MultiFaster offers a complete range of high-performing flat face quick-release couplings that comply with the standard. Importantly, some of products in the range can be connected between pressurised hydraulic lines and are interchangeable due to the specific shape, easy to clean faces, strong connection with little or no spillage and orrosion resistant coating.
An exceptional development tool is the MultFaster Configurator , accessible on the Faster Coupling website, which enables engineers to design and develop their very own specifications of the MultiFaster.
Visit www.fastercouplings.com/multifaster/configurator
Extensive inventory
Thela says, “There are many variations in the Multi faster range to cater for the needs of the agricultural sector. They have a different combination of elements, such as the numbers of lines, coupling sizes, lever and electrical connectors. The number of lines vary according to the functions performed by the tractor or harvesters’ attachment”. The design is compact with four lines and multi-installation options.
The unit’s safety features prevent accidental disconnections and/or partial unscrewing of the main sleeve, thus countering mechanical vibration. A further benefit is the capability to connect the hydraulic lines within the system, even under residual pressure.
There is also a trend towards hydraulic multi-connection systems that are completely integrated with the standard mechanical locking system of the attachment on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and maintenance
Faster have hydraulic connection solutions for diagnosis and maintenance applications, which are interchangeable worldwide (according to ISO 15171-1). The company’s diagnostic quick-release couplings (DF series) have been specifically designed to make maintenance of hydraulic systems and checking of pressure within the circuit is easier, quicker and more effective.
- For more information – Email harpo@hydrasale.co.za – Tel: 011 392 3736/7.
