Leaking Bobcat Quick Couplers? What NOT to Do

Leaking hydraulic fluid in any type of hydraulic application poses serious risks for operators and the environment. Hydraulic quick couplers on skid steer machines like a Bobcat can pose challenges when connecting under residual or thermal pressure and can leak upon quick disconnect.  If you are experiencing leaking hydraulic couplers on your skid steer machine, here are some tips on what NOT to do: 

1)  Do not over tighten thinking that’s all you need to do – you may overtighten the coupler thinking the tighter the better, although this can ruin the integrity of the seal and is one of the most common culprits of leaking couplers.  Examine the connection of the fitting prior to over torqueing. 

2)  Do not use your hands to check for leaks – leaking hydraulic fluid may reach temperatures exceeding 300° F causing serious burns if exposed to skin.  Even a small pinhole leak can quickly penetrate gloves when exerted under high pressure and velocity. 

3)  Do not re-use O-rings – we always recommend replacing the coupler rather than replacing O-rings as re-using an O-ring can make it susceptible to cracking and jeopardize the integrity of the connection. 

4) Do not forget to relieve pressure – it’s very important to depressurize the hydraulic system before inspecting connections.  Most Bobcats have a pressure disconnect to relieve pressure prior to disconnection.  

5)  Do not forget about flammability – even a pinhole leak can create a flammable vapor.  Keep all sources of flame far away from any hydraulic fluid leak. 

6)  Do no assume it’s the fitting that is leaking – drips occur at the lowest point of gravity, the leak point may be different from the drip point.  Examine the entire circuit for leaks. 

7)  Never ignore a hydraulic fluid leak – even what appears to be a minor leak could be indicative of a more serious problem which could affect performance.  

Contact a hydraulic quick connect specialist for more tips on identifying and replacing leaking quick couplers on skid steer or any hydraulic equipment.

Stucchi Offers Leak Free Skid Steer Hydraulic Solutions

Stucchi offers hydraulic solutions for leaking skid steer couplers and many other applications.  We offer a wide selection of couplers ideal on skid steer machines such as the APM which easily connects under residual or thermal pressure and features a flat face, leak free design.  Our Saturn block features a user-friendly relief system and is a direct field replacement for skid steer couplings. 

Stucchi offers hydraulic solutions to improve performance and safety while preventing downtime and hydraulic fluid leaks.  We offer personalized service to assist you with solving any hydraulic leak issue to improve your overall business operations.  Contact us with any questions and to learn more about our leak-free hydraulic solutions.

Improve Hydraulic Shear Performance with Auxiliary Couplers

Many demolition contractors use hydraulic shears as a versatile excavator attachment to dismantle steel structures.  There are different types of hydraulic shears to either cut, crush or pulverize, making shears a versatile, important tool in your arsenal of attachments.   Shears on an excavator are also useful to pick specific materials for recycling and sustainable materials management. 

Maintain Auxiliary Hydraulics for Improved Performance

Your auxiliary hydraulic circuit is the lifeblood to your excavator attachments, making it critical to maintain your auxiliary circuit with quality quick couplers.  Auxiliary quick couplings must be able to withstand the heavy duty operations without fail to meet productivity goals and deadlines.  Demolition contractors must be able to rely on their equipment without unexpected downtime.

The Stucchi Solution for Auxiliary Hydraulics

Stucchi is recognized worldwide for delivering hydraulic solutions with a wide selection of quick couplings and custom designed solutions from experienced hydraulic experts. We offer the VEPHDL, a flat face, heavy-duty threaded coupling specifically for the most demanding applications.  Our quick connect specialists will partner with you to analyze your equipment and attachments to ensure complete interchangeability and provide the best hydraulic solution to meet and improve your application. 

Our threaded couplings provide failsafe connections while the flat face design prevents contamination of your hydraulic circuit as well as preventing environmental contamination upon disconnect.  Our flat face coupler design set the standard for ISO 16028 as we continually strive to provide innovative, first to market quick connect solutions. 

Stucchi offers more than 60 years of experience in improving hydraulic applications with proven solutions and innovative products.  We are dedicated to solving any hydraulic performance issue including preventing leaks, downtime and contamination.  Contact us with any questions and learn how to improve your excavator attachment performance with leak free hydraulic solutions.

Stucchi Helps You Achieve Process Improvement

Stucchi has been recognized as a leading global supplier of hydraulic quick connect solutions for over 60 years.  We do much more than offer a vast product line of  high quality quick couplers, Stucchi goes the extra mile to ensure that your hydraulic process is safe and efficient.  Our experienced hydraulic specialists answer all your questions and provide the best hydraulic solution for your equipment and your application.

Hydraulic fluid leaks pose serious safety risks to workers and threaten productive operations with unexpected downtime.  Improving your hydraulic quick connect and quick release process prevents catastrophic accidents and improves productivity.  By selecting the optimum quick coupler for your process, you can prevent serious losses such as 

• Costly repairs – hydraulic fluid leaks cause environmental contamination which requires clean up and could lead to fines as well as require repairs to equipment. Leak free quick couplings prevent damage to equipment and the environment.
• Workplace accidents – hydraulic applications under pressure can cause serious injuries and even fatalities.  Quality quick couplers prevent fluid leaks at connection points to improve workplace safety.
• Damage to brand and reputation – business which experience serious worker accidents or cases of environmental contamination may never recover from the damage to their brand and reputation.
• Financial losses – business can incur significant expense from accidents, contamination, lost productivity and lost business.  Companies in the oil and gas industry, for example, may incur several thousands of dollars in losses due to unscheduled downtime. 

Protect Your Business with Quality Quick Couplers

You can protect your business and prevent significant losses by safeguarding your equipment with quality quick couplings.  Our quick connect specialists have drastically improved processes in many industries with simple recommendations such as installing multi-coupling plates where multiple lines are used.  This allows for maintenance crews to quick connect or quick release multiple lines at once with one simple movement. 

Combined with quality, leak-free quick couplers, multi-plates can safeguard your operation for safe and efficient processes.  Stucchi has helped automotive suppliers to improve their single-minute-exchange of die time (SMED) by as much as 6 minutes.  

Stucchi is dedicated to improving your hydraulic application with process analysis and experienced recommendations for the right quick coupling.  We provide first-to-market, innovative hydraulic quick couplers which outlast and outperform comparable products.  Contact us to learn how to improve your hydraulic application with high quality quick couplings.