Ag vs flat face on grapple

[TomIre]

I'm going to add a grapple to my tractor and so can specify what couplers to use. I'm thinking flat face since easier to clean and fits more skid steer accessories if I ever buy/rent anything.
I'll need to add a third function as well so will be easy enough to get same fittings.
But, don't have any real experience to go on. Smart move or am I missing something?

 

[Redlands Okie]

I have flat face on my FEL because of the rental and swapping tools situation. I will say mine are a bit harder to bleed off than ag style when connecting them. They are easy to clean. Just in case you swap out tools with other equipment a lot and if your kind of picky like I am keep in mind the fluid mixing between units. I usually hook up one line and loosen the connection on the other when I install attachments back onto my tractor. Then bleed the line a bit to help insure only my fluid type ends up in my tractor.

 

[jjp8182]

Either will work. The ag connections are cheaper, but will lose a bit of fluid when connecting/disconnecting. The flat face won't lose fluid, but are more expensive and can be a bit harder to connect if the implement lines build up pressure when unconnected (e.g. thermal expansion of the fluid).

Since my tractor came with the ag-style connectors on the 3rd function that's what I use, and when I bought an implement with flat face all I did was make an elbow adapting connectors that have ag connectors on one side and flat face on the other.

 

[hosspuller]

Yesterday, I fitted flat face to my tractors to use the hay grapple. The grapple has a skid steer mount and hydraulic connection. So the tractors were adapted.

 

[LD1]

Unless you get the connect-under-pressure flat face couplers, they are a pain. Which is why I went with ags.

IF I ever had the need to rent/borrow something with FF couplers, either swapping the tractor ones or swapping the implement ones is pretty easy.

But I'd rather not deal with the PITA year round for the once-in-a-blue-moon that I rent/borrow something and have to swap couplers

 

[Industrial Toys]

Flat face seal nicely unlike Pinoneer Females that require a plug to keep dirt out. Left outside, Flat face couplers can seize solid. I have a lot of FF connectors and they are a GIANT pain to connect under the slightest pressure, like temperature changes. In winter, carrying a propane torch is a MUST!

 

[jjp8182]

Flat face seal nicely unlike Pinoneer Females that require a plug to keep dirt out. Left outside, Flat face couplers can seize solid. I have a lot of FF connectors and they are a GIANT pain to connect under the slightest pressure, like temperature changes. In winter, carrying a propane torch is a MUST!

Summer time issues with flat face couplers here; make the mistake of leaving an unconnected implement sit in the sun for an half hour or more and ....good luck. Had that experience a couple of times, so when I'm needing to use multiple implements for a task, the unused one will be unhooked and left in any shade I think will last long enough for me to come back to the implement.

One of the handy things about having the elbow adapter is (if needed) it's easier to force the connection on a flat face connector when it's not on the machine in a place where you can't use you're body weight to help make the connection.

 

[Thunder chicken]

sorry slightly off topic, but what about putting a ball valve at the end of the hose, then your preferred coupler? urn off the valve, disconnect ( leave he grapple open even if you'd like). then there's no pressure pushing on the coupler to make reconnecting difficult? it's all behind the ball valve.... a hyd rated ball valve ain't cheap, but...?

 

[rScotty]

Unless you get the connect-under-pressure flat face couplers, they are a pain. Which is why I went with ags.

IF I ever had the need to rent/borrow something with FF couplers, either swapping the tractor ones or swapping the implement ones is pretty easy.

But I'd rather not deal with the PITA year round for the once-in-a-blue-moon that I rent/borrow something and have to swap couplers

I'm pretty ignorant about this. Mine are just Ag type, I don't switch them much, and I tap the ball to release the pressure. No real problem.

I keep meaning to make or buy a tool to push the ball, but never have.

But now I'm curious. If there are connect-under-pressure couplers that work why doesn't everyone use them?
rScotty

 

[ericm979]

They cost more. And the ones I have tried both flat face and ag style have super stiff release collars. So stiff that I find them too difficult to use.