2 Fitting Questions

[NCMau]

I am dealing with new 3/8 and 1/2 swivel hydraulic fittings.

Question 1: Even though they are tight, there is a little play up and down. It would make sense that shouldn't any play at all, but I just want to make sure before I crank it any further and break something.

Question 2: What type of clamps are normally installed in suction line between the tank and pump? The standard stainless steel clamps seem to be awful puny for a thick hose like this. Maybe U clamps. I didn't see anything at Surplus Center.

 

[rasimmo]

1. If the fittings are old they may not be fitting together tightly. I would probably change the fittings out if it were mine. Some will say not necessary, but that's just me. I have seen a few break off the flared piece inside the hose fitting also.
2. The standard worm clamps will be fine on the suction side. That is all I have ever seen done.

Edit: Just read your post again. I guess I missed the "new" the first time, sorry. I have not dealt with any that had any play in them. Check the hose ends out good and make sure the mating surfaces are in good shape.

 

[J_J]

I am dealing with new 3/8 and 1/2 swivel hydraulic fittings.

Question 1: Even though they are tight, there is a little play up and down. It would make sense that shouldn't any play at all, but I just want to make sure before I crank it any further and break something.

Question 2: What type of clamps are normally installed in suction line between the tank and pump? The standard stainless steel clamps seem to be awful puny for a thick hose like this. Maybe U clamps. I didn't see anything at Surplus Center.

Are you talking about this kind of swivel? A connector swivel.

Surplus Center - 3/8" NPTF X 3/8" NPTF LIVE SWIVEL COUPLING

This is a swivel fitting, but when it is tight, with no leaks, it does not swivel.

Surplus Center - JIC 6F TO 3/8 NPTF SWIVEL

 

[NCMau]

I have purchased a whole set of hoses (all NPT) with one swivel end from Agri Supply.Some of them are connecting solid but there two so far, that even though are torqued very tight, I can still move the rubber part of the hose 1/32 +/- up and down.
On all these hoses out of the box you can move the threaded male part about 1/16" in and out, as shown in the pics below.
I can't believe they are all defective. Looking inside, there is nothing that I can see, that can the close the gap when it is tighten. I am hoping that when there is pressure applied they will seal. I am in the process of installation so there is no fluid yet.
Any thoughts?

 

[rasimmo]

I never worked with fittings like that before. I don't see what would make that swivel part tighten up when you install it. I guess this will be a "try it and see" case. Sorry I can't help.

 

[J_J]

Thru-the Cover (TTC) fitting.

Male Pipe Swivel (PS) OTC Fittings. outside the cover (OTC

I am thinking it will lock up and be tight under pressure.

Male Pipe Swivel Hydraulic Crimp Fittings

 

[NCMau]

Thanks. I feel better now.

 

[IceStationZebra]

IMHO - I would recommend avoiding NPT whenever possible. It is much easier to get a sealed joint with JIC, no messing with tape or dope, the swivel is built into the female hose end, and there are a lot of elbow options (45, 90, long 90, etc). Put adapters at your valves and cylinders, NPT-to-JIC or ORB-to-JIC. This is the way any self respecting OEM does it.

If you want the Cadillac fittings go with O-ring face seal (ORFS). There provide a very good leak-free joint - but they cost about 20% more than JIC, are physically larger for a given dash size, are harder to get the thread started due to the straight thread, and have a less fitting choices. Some OEMs are willing to make these trade off's to emilinate warrenty work, but I don't normally recommend them.

ISZ

 

[NCMau]

ISZ, what you're saying sounds good and some to keep in mind, but right now my whole system is NPT. Got money and time tied-up. Just have to stick it out and see what happens. Thanks.

 

[IceStationZebra]

Understand completely. More advise for the future. ISZ

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

I am dealing with new 3/8 and 1/2 swivel hydraulic fittings.

Question 1: Even though they are tight, there is a little play up and down. It would make sense that shouldn't any play at all, but I just want to make sure before I crank it any further and break something.

If these are male pipe swivels (as pictured in your follow up comment), the swivel will always have a bit of play. Further tightening will not remove it, because the swivel mechanism is internal and independent of the threaded connection.

I don't recommend male pipe swivel hose fittings for this reason. Over time, vibrations or movement of the hose can loosen the swivel mechanism and leak to potential leaks in the future.

A better solution is to use a JIC 37° female swivel with a JIC x Male Pipe adapter. The swivel nut on the JIC fitting will have zero play when it is tightened, and this type of fitting provides a better seal. I will link to some examples below.

Female JIC Hose Fitting

Male JIC x NPTF Male Pipe Adapter

Question 2: What type of clamps are normally installed in suction line between the tank and pump? The standard stainless steel clamps seem to be awful puny for a thick hose like this. Maybe U clamps. I didn't see anything at Surplus Center.

For this application, we recommend a heavy-duty T-Bolt clamp. As you have determined yourself, standard wormgear clamps are not strong enough to secure this type of hose. This is due to braided steel wire and helical wire reinforcement.