Is there a quality difference in Quick Couplers

[J_J]

Every manufacturer likes to think they have the best, and some people like to think the brand they use is the best. Most people use what is is on the machine, and match the implements to the tractor QD's. I have three different brands on my PT, Safeway, Faster, Pioneer and and they all work the same, and none have failed yet. Quality, who can say. Most can only talk about the ones that have failed, and then they bash the brand as unfit. It is really a matter of choice.

QD's like anything else, may fail, but there is usually a kit to fix it.

Money talks, but doesn't guarantee quality.

 

[beenthere]

I've always received good quality (no chinese knock-offs) from Surplus Center, and shop there whenever they have the size I need. Haven't found the midsize Deere QC's there of late. They are good to deal with, IMO.

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

Something to keep in mind...

Your tractor manufacturer or backhoe manufacturer doesn't build quick disconnects, and the ones they put on their equipment are almost never proprietary. More likely, they are common equipment built to an industry standard.

In the case of hydraulic quick couplers, this is usually an ISO specification, such as ISO 5675 (more commonly known as Ag couplers or "Pioneer" couplers).

You can get replacement couplers from the dealer who sold you the tractor, but remember this. His business doesn't thrive or fail based on whether he can give you the best price on a small ticket item like a quick coupler. Of course not, his focus is on selling (and repairing) the whole tractor.

He stocks small parts like quick couplers for your convenience, and he expects to make a fair profit for doing so. Also, since he's rather low on the chain of supply, several other players have already put their own markup on those part before they even got on his shelf. There's nothing unfair about this, but you do pay a price for the convenience.

Now, if you're saavy about things, and you know what kind of couplers (and other items, such as hydraulic hoses) you need for your equipment, you can shop around and probably find a lower price from a supplier who specializes in things like quick couplers and hoses.

By the way, none of our stock is surplus or overruns. It's brand new merchandise made by OEM manufacturers that we sell directly to you, without the additional cost of maintaining a dealer network.

1/2" Agricultural Couplers, $14.75 per set (interchange with Parker/Pioneer 4000 Series and all other ISO 5675 couplers)

 

[IceStationZebra]

I wouldn't be surprised if 1/2" couplers are cheaper than 3/8" due to the much larger quantity sold.

And as far as quality goes, some companies like Parker make several different versions to the same standard. The cheap ones do the job but the better ones will withstand pressure spikes better, have lower pressure drop, and leak less when uncoupled. You may also notice a slight reduction in effort to connect/disconnect the couplers.

Theoretically all couplers conforming to ISO 5675 should be interchangeable, but as stated above quality control can come in to play.

ISZ

 

[beenthere]

I'm looking for some QD's for my Deere 4300, and found some on the discounthydraulichose.com site (thanks to the link from the Hydraulic Hose Guy above) that I think will work for me. Not sure tho, so have a call in to check.

The ones posted that I think will work are under the ISO 7241-1B Hydraulic listings.
Here is a pic showing the male tip. Just don't know the dimensions, as the Deere male fitting I have is 0.74 diam across the 0.644" flat to the flange. There are so many varieties and shapes and sizes to comprehend. It sure looks the same as my Deere 4300 QD's

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

beenthere,

The question of identifying coupler styles and sizes is a complicated one for most users. Some of the ISO standard designs look very similar to one another, and "coupler size" is only a nominal description. It's not like you measure a coupler and say "this is 1/2" across, so I must need a 1/2" coupler."

The most reliable way we have found to identify size is a direct comparison of a male coupler with other male couplers in known styles and sizes.

For that purpose we offer a series of actual size profiles for various male couplers sold on our web site. Print the pages on your desktop print using 100% reduction/enlargement (do NOT use "shrink to fit"). Hold your coupler up to the page, and the profile that matches will tell you what you need to order.

http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/sizechart.pdf

 

[beenthere]

Thanks
I used that and learned that I was only half right putting my order together.
The order is on the way. Best I've found for the Deere 4300 couplers (3/8 700 series) and they go directly to the 3/8" nptf male.
I plan to make up a test pressure gauge like kennyd has shown previously.

Thanks again