Kubota Hydraulic Thumb Kit Auxiliary Coupling Solutions

 

Many people have questions about installing a Kubota hydraulic thumb kit with the correct auxiliary hydraulic couplings. Operators can turn a mini-excavator from a digging machine into a big tool carrier, capable of efficiently performing a variety of work tasks. Stucchi offers a solution with excavator auxiliary coupling kits that hold up to demanding workloads with easy attachment changeover.

Excavator Hydraulic Thumb and Clamp Capabilities

Adding a hydraulic thumb attachment (also called a clamp) equips a compact excavator to reach areas that may be difficult for other machines to access. A hydraulic thumb kit can be used on demolition sites to remove big blocks of concrete after broken up with a hydraulic breaker. Hydraulic thumbs help the landscaping contractor to move large decorative rocks, debris, or tree stumps. Some attachments provide versatility for operators and can be used with three tine grapples or trenching buckets.

Some things to consider before installing your Kubota hydraulic thumb kit or any excavator thumb attachment include the hydraulic pressure, the thumb cylinder, and the tool dimensions.

Kubota Hydraulic Thumb Kit Considerations

Hydraulic pressure

Before installing your Kubota hydraulic thumb kit you want to be sure that the thumb’s cylinder delivers adequate clamping pressure for your application. It takes a higher pressure to move large boulders or trees than to move scrap materials. Check the pressure on your auxiliary hydraulic relief valve and talk to your equipment dealer about making adjustments from the original setting.

Auxiliary hydraulic couplings

Stucchi offers brand specific plumbing solutions such as Kubota auxiliary hydraulic kits that include, flat face couplings which are easy to connect under pressure, threaded flat face couplers for heavy-duty performance, hydraulic adapters, ball valve and mounting brackets.  We also provide our customers with innovative plumbing solutions specific to installing a hydraulic thumb, with a 45° adapter that keeps hydraulic hoses out of harm’s way of a rotating thumb.

The auxiliary hydraulic hoses and coupling installation is often an afterthought when installing a hydraulic thumb kit, although serious problems can occur if the thumb comes into contact with the auxiliary hydraulic hoses.  We have seen cases where the rotating thumb will actually snap the hydraulic hoses.  Our excavator hydraulic thumb kit provides a solution to prevent downtime and damage as evidenced in this Case Study – Hydraulic Thumb Plumbing Solutions.

Our hydraulic specialists can recommend the best auxiliary hydraulic kit solution to meet brand specific requirements such as Bobcat, John Deere, CAT, Kubota and others.

Thumb Dimensions

You can measure the distance between the tines of your thumb to make sure that it is compatible with and will not interfere with your bucket.

Thumb and Cylinder Weight

The weight of any attachment is an important consideration regarding the overall stability of your equipment, especially with a hydraulic thumb and cylinder over the side of the machine.  The way of your thumb and cylinder should be published by the equipment manufacturer along with the weight class the equipment is intended for.

Benefits of Stucchi’s Auxiliary Hydraulic Kits

The hydraulic specialists at Stucchi offer decades of experience in providing the best hydraulic solution for your mobile equipment. We offer brand compatible hydraulic quick couplings to meet the needs of various equipment designs.  Stucchi’s auxiliary hydraulic kits and custom plumbing solutions for excavator hydraulic thumb kits provide many benefits such as:

●       Prevents contamination to the environment and costly cleanup

●       Prevents injury to the operator from pressurized hydraulic fluid leaks

●       Prevents breaking auxiliary hydraulic hoses and equipment damage

 Stucchi provides the auxiliary hydraulic solutions to keep your equipment running smoothly for maximum productivity.  We offer a wide selection of flat face and threaded flat face hydraulic couplings to meet heavy duty, high-pressure demands. Contact us with any questions on plumbing hydraulic attachments for excavators including the Kubota hydraulic thumb kit.

 This article was previously published at: https://www.stucchiusa.com/blog/kubota-hydraulic-thumb-kit-auxiliary-coupling-solutions/

Aerospace Hydraulic GSE: Maintenance and Troubleshooting Part II

In the case of maintaining aerospace GSE, a good defense is the best offense and preventing contaminants from entering the hydraulic system in the first place is the goal of hydraulic GSE preventive maintenance.

Preventing Contamination in Hydraulic GSE Equipment

In Aerospace Hydraulic GSE: Maintenance and Troubleshooting Part I, we covered the types of hydraulic GSE equipment and the various sources of contamination that can occur.  In Part II, we’ll cover what you can do to prevent contamination in hydraulic ground service equipment in addition to using top quality hydraulic quick couplers.

Use Coupler Protectant Caps

Be sure to use quick coupler protectant caps or plugs and make sure they are in good operating condition and only removed for servicing. Make sure that any air filter is not saturated which can allow contaminants to enter the reservoir.

Monitor Fluid

Monitoring fluid regularly is important to make sure your fluid meets required specifications as well as component manufacturer recommendations. Regular monitoring allows you to make adjustments to preventive maintenance programs as necessary to keep any contamination levels within an acceptable range without incurring excessive expenses.

Fluid Compatibility

Various types of fluids are used in aircraft today, making it necessary to take extra precaution to keep all fluid types isolated. Engine oils, anti-icing fluids, phosphate ester and petroleum-based hydraulic fluids all require different wetted materials in hydraulic aerospace GSE equipment. Fluid type identification placards should be visible on all units and the same GSE equipment should never be used for more than one type of fluid.

If contamination with a foreign fluid occurs, all affected components must be thoroughly cleaned and dried prior to reusing or the contaminated components should be replaced.

Hydraulic GSE Maintenance and Troubleshooting Checklist

Part of a thorough GSE preventive maintenance plan includes knowing the condition of all fluids and components and maintaining an acceptable contamination level on operating components within OEM recommendations. The following maintenance and troubleshooting checklist will help to keep your aerospace hydraulic GSE equipment in top working condition:

●       Inspect all quick disconnect couplings and protectant plugs for damage or leaks, repair or     replace as necessary.

●      Check the fluid filler cap for good operating conditions, replace if necessary.

●       Inspect all internal and external hoses for blistering, cuts or worn areas that can leak fluid and replace damaged hoses.

●       Inspect all indicator lights for proper operation.

●       Inspect cooling fan for proper operation.

●       Replace the desiccant element / air filter regularly. A silica gel desiccant element will turn pink once saturated.

●       Check system pressure relief valve based on OEM recommendations.

●       Check the condition of fluids with laboratory analysis periodically or with a portable monitor. Dehumidify and filter to achieve specified levels to OEM recommendations. Replace fluid as needed.

●       Replace fluid filters on a regular schedule based on predetermined criteria such as operating hours or with fluid samples.

●       Verify performance of hydraulic pumps based on OEM recommendations.

●       Inspect interior of reservoir for visible buildup of silt or foreign materials. Drain and clean before refilling with new fluid.

●       Check fluid levels of reservoir operating temperature and fill as necessary.

●       Operate the system and purge any air that may be entrapped.

●       Circulate at various pressures and flows.

Following this checklist will help to prolong optimum operating life of aerospace GSE equipment and will help to identify potential issues and problems.  Following a meticulous preventive maintenance schedule will help to prevent contamination and costly equipment damage. In addition to preventive maintenance and timely repairs, using hydraulic quick disconnect couplings designed for high pressure aerospace applications will help to prevent contamination and equipment damage.

Stucchi’s Hydraulic Solutions for Aerospace GSE Equipment

Stucchi offers a wide selection of hydraulic quick disconnect couplings that meet the demands of aerospace GSE equipment.  We cater your hydraulic solutions to meet your specific requirements and OEM recommendations. Our threaded flat face quick couplers are proven in high pressure, demanding applications. The thread to connect design prevents premature wear and brinelling and prevents accidental disconnection. Our flat face design eliminates leaks upon quick disconnect to prevent contamination of the hydraulic system and the environment.

Our stainless steel hydraulic fittings stand up to extreme temperatures and pressures while maintaining optimum fluid flow. Multi-coupling plates allow for quick and easy quick connect and disconnect of multiple lines with one movement. Stucchi offers various multi-plate solutions with either the same or different size of couplings and the same or various types of media such as hydraulic fluid, electric or pneumatic lines. Eliminate the risk of cross-contamination and ensure reliable, locking connection that prevents unwanted disconnection and contamination.

Stucchi’s hydraulic specialists customize your hydraulic quick connect and disconnect solution to meet your specific needs and maximize your operating efficiencies. We follow a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification and provide total customer satisfaction through quality products and service. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about maintaining and troubleshooting aerospace hydraulic GSE equipment.

This article was previously published at: https://www.stucchiusa.com/blog/aerospace-hydraulic-gse-maintenance-and-troubleshooting-part-ii/