keep your quick connects super clean

spechols · Dec 20, 2020

Based on another thread "Reason #319 why you want to keep your quick connects super clean. I now use brake cleaner to clean out the quick connects before coupling them. (Thanks to Chet Larson)"
What are your methods for keeping the quick connects super clean?
For example - I use a spray of WD40 but I have never asked anyone. So....
What are your best methods?
Thanks

agjones · Dec 20, 2020

Cleaner, dust caps, keep the attachment ones connected together when not in use. Don't bang on them when stuck.

Tinhack · Dec 20, 2020

I've only recently had any quick connects so all of mine are new. I sprayed them with a mix of lanolin and naphtha. The naphtha evaporates and leaves a light coat of lanoline. Lanoline is a well known treatment to prevent rust. Most commercial antirust sprays use it. When they're not in use, I keep them covered with vinyl rubber cups that came with the fittings. That's both male and female ends. I buy brake cleaner by the case and use that everywhere in the shop for spot cleaning. If I'm washing down the tractor, I'll use a degreaser where needed before pressure washing then follow that with the lanolin treatment.

As far as WD-40, I use it for an occasional wash down. I buy it by the gallon and use it for machining aluminum. It works good for that.

MossRoad · Dec 20, 2020

To be honest, I've never used more than a rag to clean off the quick connects. I do try and put the caps on the main PTO connectors on the FEL arms when not in use. The AUX PTO connectors are always connected, so no chance of dirt getting in there. And I connect the mower and brush cutter hoses together when not in use. The only connectors that aren't connected together when not in use are the two hoses on the power angle snow blade. They are the same sex and cannot be connected together.

m5040 · Dec 20, 2020

I sometimes wonder if all the hose changes between the quick attach and the implement, is one reason for the 50 hour hyd filter change. Most people or employees just reconnect them (not good).

Tinhack · Dec 20, 2020

There's a lot of sand in the clay soil here. I'm always careful to clean around drain plugs, filters, fuel/oil connections and such for all my equipment--Including the shop. I guess I just do it subconsciously. I had a nightmare when I first moved here of pulling the oil drain plug and sand pouring out.

ponytug · Dec 20, 2020

I keep caps on when not in use, and couple male/female ends on the attachments.

I do use the brake cleaner on the inside of the fittings, as it seems as if dust still gets in around the edges. I blow the rim of the quick connect fittings out with compressed air whenever I clean the tractor.

All the best,

Peter

KennyG · Dec 21, 2020

I just wipe them down with a rag and try to keep the caps on. But mine leak, so don't listen to me. :laughing:

cqaigy2 · Dec 21, 2020

Rag, air compressor if close by and rag. I have caps for all the ends, including the blade, rough cut mower gets connected together. I do put lanolin based grease on the actuator rams when i put the PT away, after cleaning things off. Also on the blade, clean and lanolin grease the ram.