Improving Hydraulic Quick Connect for Tractor-Trailers

 

 Hydraulic fittings and quick couplers are used in many market segments where they must withstand intense stress and pressure without malfunctioning or leaking. Quick couplers that undergo hydraulic shock and heavy vibration may experience brinelling, damage to the locking groove which can cause equipment downtime and fluid leakage. This poses safety risks to workers and causes environmental contamination along with added cleanup costs.

This is particularly true in the transportation sector when trailers are connected with hydraulic circuits and quick couplers. A faulty coupling on the line could cause a malfunction which could lead to an unmanageable vehicle and serious accidents on the highway. Hydraulic fittings, couplings and adapters must meet the requirements of the two main categories of the transportation haulage industry which includes Road Trailers and Self- Propelled Motor Trailers.

Road trailers: quick couplers provide the connection between the powerpack and the trailer when road trailers are coupled to street legal, motorized vehicles for use on motorways and urban roads.

Self- Propelled Motor Trailers (SPMT): quick couplers provide connection between several trailer units and long vehicles which are equipped with several sets of wheels and designed to handle bulky, heavy loads. Typically used on private areas such as factories or building sites.

Hydraulics Provide Critical Functions on a Tractor-Trailer

The suspension system and a tractor-trailer is controlled by a hydraulic system and hydraulic lines which control the suspension and also provide steering of the wheels. Quick couplings located on the trailer should be protected as much as possible from dirt and impact while paying attention to the radial loads the pipes generate. Hydraulics may also be used to control the drive and drainage lines.

Hydraulic fittings used in the transportation, tractor-trailer sector come into contact with medium to high conditions for wear and corrosion.  This makes it critical to carefully choose all components on a tractor-trailer transportation system including heavy duty, leak-free, thread to connect hydraulic quick couplers.

Stucchi Offers Heavy Duty Quick Couplers That Improve Tractor-Trailer Hydraulics

Stucchi offers heavy duty hydraulic quick couplers for use in many demanding mobile applications such as construction, demolition, snow removal, forestry applications and more, including the transportation industry. Our heavy-duty threaded flat face coupler, the VEP HD series, provides a greater degree of safety and protects the environment with leak free quick disconnect.

Stucchi provides hydraulic solutions that improve your overall process for improved safety, efficiency, and overall productivity. Our multi-coupling plates improve uptime by providing easy quick connect and disconnect of multiple lines at once, significantly improving trailer connection and disconnection procedure times and safety. With our multi-couple plates, there is no chance for human error or cross connection mistakes. Couplings connect and disconnect easily with one simple movement requiring minimal force. The GR series of Stucchi’s multi-coupling plates provides solutions to the transportation industry with improved efficiency, safety, and uptime.

Stucchi offers hydraulic solutions for many industries and segments with a wide range of quality hydraulic fittings, couplings, and adapters. We offer custom design solutions to meet your specific application requirements. Contact us with any questions on improving your hydraulic system for transportation tractor-trailers or any mobile equipment.

This article was previously published at: https://www.stucchiusa.com/blog/improving-hydraulic-quick-connect-for-tractor-trailers/

 

Why a Self-Contained Compactor is Better than Open Dumpsters

 

If you are evaluating the waste management services for your business, you may be wondering if you should choose a dumpster or a trash compactor.  A dumpster is an open container where all types of trash are disposed of. A self-contained trash compactor is often worth the investment for businesses and provides many advantages over an open dumpster.

Some benefits that a self-contained compactor provides to businesses over using a dumpster for waste disposal include: 

1. A self-contained compactor saves money - dumpsters require more frequent waste hauler pickups. If you fill your dumpster frequently, you should consider using a self-contained trash compactor instead. A compactor does not fill up as quickly as a dumpster because it continually compacts your trash and can last a lot longer until it needs to be hauled away. Using a compactor instead of a dumpster can eliminate three or four waste hauler trips per month or more, depending on your volume.
   

2. A self-contained compactor provides sanitary disposal of wet waste - disposing of liquids in a dumpster can make a big mess which attracts bacteria, mold, and creates a foul odor.  Sealed, self-contained compactors allow for clean and sanitary disposal of wet waste for a cleaner and safer environment.
   

3. Compactors save time - with the compactor, you can save time and labor without having to break down boxes and try to manually compact trash before disposing of it.
   

4. Self-contained compactors prevent tampering - with all of your trash compacted, you eliminate the risk of someone going to your trash causing identity theft which could be possible picking trash out of a dumpster.
   

5. Better pest control - you do not have to worry about scavenging rodents are animals getting into your trash in a sealed, self-contained waste compactor.
   

Protect Your Self-Contained Trash Compactor and Your Business Investment

If you choose to use a self-contained compactor for your business waste disposal, consider protecting your compactor against damage and downtime. Compactors are operated by hydraulic power with hoses stemming from a hydraulic power unit to the compacting unit. When a waste hauler takes your compactor away, the driver must disconnect these hydraulic hoses prior to driving off or serious damage and fluid spills will occur.

Now that you have decided to take this safe, sanitary, and efficient route to use a trash compactor for your business, consider protecting your investment by protecting your hydraulic quick couplers and hydraulic power unit (HPU).  A compactor breakaway safety system, C-BASS, allows for abrupt disconnection without any fluid spills or equipment damage.

Stucchi is a leading global provider of hydraulic solutions to a wide range of industries and sectors, customizing innovative hydraulic product solutions to meet the needs of our customers.  Our C-BASS solution to protect waste compactors mitigates risk, protects your business and your investment. Learn more about the advantages of self-contained trash compactors and Stucchi’s compactor breakaway safety system, C-BASS.

This article was previously published at: https://cbass.info/blog/blog/why-a-self-contained-compactor-is-better-than-open-dumpsters/

 

Railroad Hydraulic Hand Tools Maintenance Tips

 

 

Hydraulic hand tools for railroad maintenance of way allow railway workers to perform quick maintenance with powerful tools to keep the tracks in proper working condition. Hydraulic systems are highly sophisticated and power a wide range of machinery and equipment, including hand tools which are transportable for convenient railroad maintenance work. Hydraulic railroad hand tools reduce the physical stress on operators over traditional tools and allow for quick maintenance and repair to prevent train delays.

Hydraulic machinery and equipment including railway hand tools are dependable when regular and thorough hydraulic maintenance is performed. Maintaining hydraulic tools and equipment includes:

 

●       Regularly changing any hydraulic filters

●       Checking hydraulic hoses carefully

●       Checking for any leaking quick couplers

●       Analyzing hydraulic fluid periodically

 One problem that many railway operators experience is difficulty to connect under pressure when hydraulic hand tools are kept in a truck and experience increased pressure due to thermal expansion. When this occurs, most operators attempt to expel any built-up pressure, although a change in quick couplers can significantly improve this process.

Hydraulic Railway Hand Tool Couplers Connect under Pressure

Stucchi offers quick connect solutions for railway hand tools that experience difficulty connecting under trapped or residual pressure or pressure caused by thermal expansion. Our flat face hydraulic quick couplers provide easy connect under pressure with no leak performance. Stucchi’s design of the flat face couplers set the ISO 16028 standard for leak free, dripless connections. This protects the environment with no fluid leaks on the ground and keeps maintenance garages cleaner with no fluid spills when connecting or disconnecting inside.

Troubleshooting Tips for Hydraulic Rail Saws

Hydraulic rail saws can cut through rails with a powerful hydraulic motor that maximizes power while reducing heat and energy waste. Hydraulic rail saws provide quick and accurate setup and feature an ergonomic long saw arm allowing the operator to use in a standing position. For operators experiencing trouble with hydraulic rail saws, some troubleshooting tips include:

 

●       If the saw will not run - a possible cause for this could be that the hydraulic power source is not functioning correctly, hoses or couplers could be blocked, or it could be a mechanical failure. In this case, first check the power source for proper flow and pressure, remove any obstructions, if you suspect mechanical failure have the tools serviced by an authorized dealer.

 

●       The saw runs backwards - if this happens, the pressure and return lines are connected incorrectly. Reconnect the hose connections correctly, the motor shaft should rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the end.

 

●       The saw is cutting too slowly –  this could happen due to high back pressure, a relief valve set too low, or from insufficient fluid flow. Check the hydraulic supply and have the saw serviced if the supply is correct.

 

●       Fluid leakage - this is a sign of seal failure. Do not use the saw in the presence of fluid leakage and have it serviced. Learn about Stucchi’s leak-free quick couplers for railway hydraulic hand tools.

 

●       The saw cuts off center - if the hydraulic rail saws cutting off center and binding, it is likely the bearings are worn out on the link arms, or the cutting technique is incorrect. If the bearings are worn out, have the unit serviced and review proper operating procedures.

Stucchi offers hydraulic quick couplers and adapters for railway hydraulic hand tools that eliminate fluid leaks and connect easily under pressure. Some of our popular quick couplers for railway hydraulic hand tools include:

APM Series - the APM series allows for easy quick connect in any circuit experiencing residual or trapped pressure or pressure due to thermal expansion. The APM flat face quick coupler connects easily by hand without any fluid leaks.

FIRG Series – This flat face quick coupler series is the original iso 16028 interchangeable coupling, with an integrated sealing mechanism that significantly reduces premature wear as well as provides no leak performance.

Stucchi has been an industry-leading hydraulic specialist for more than 60 years, offering innovative, first to market product solutions to a wide range of industries and applications. We provide solutions to the railroad industry with hydraulic solutions for hand tools, auxiliary quick couplers for railway excavators, and quickset up of railway cranes. Contact us to learn more about the many quick couplers and multi-coupling plates that help to keep America’s rails operational while improving safety and efficiency of railway maintenance processes.

This article was previously published at: https://www.stucchiusa.com/blog/railroad-hydraulic-hand-tools-maintenance-tips/