What are these things called?

[sandalwood]

In the past hydraulic couplers had colour coded dust caps but I am now seeing what appears to be colour coded wraps (metal or plastic) on 2 ends of the couplers - see photo.

Can someone tell me what these coloured wraps are called and are they size specific?

 

[bumperm]

I don't know, I've got them on my tractor too. However, I do know these things will work (grin):

Amazon.com: Nylon Cable Ties - 6" - Multi Color (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Fuchsia, Orange, Gray, Purple) - 500 Pieces: Home Improvement

I've used paint markers to color code quick connects, but sometimes, given a dose of hydraulic fluid or two, the paint goes away.

 

[sandalwood]

Zip ties do work, and can colour match existing pieces quite well for very little money.

The only problem I find with zip ties is cutting them short enough that I don't end up taking some of my hide off when working around they - I always seem to be able to catch some part of me on the cut ends - these other "wraps" seem to eliminate this risk for clumsy guys like me

 

[chim]

Look like bird ring bands. I remember seeing something like that when the old farmers around here used small versions on chickens.

19 mm bird leg bands 19 millimetre bird leg rings

 

[k0ua]

Zip ties do work, and can colour match existing pieces quite well for very little money.

The only problem I find with zip ties is cutting them short enough that I don't end up taking some of my hide off when working around they - I always seem to be able to catch some part of me on the cut ends - these other "wraps" seem to eliminate this risk for clumsy guys like me

Cut them as short as you can with sidecuters. Take a fairly fine file or piece of sandpaper with a block for backup and file/sand the sharp ends down. It only takes a few seconds per wrap. It stops the bleeding

 

[Wagtail]

Cut them as short as you can with sidecuters. Take a fairly fine file or piece of sandpaper with a block for backup and file/sand the sharp ends down. It only takes a few seconds per wrap. It stops the bleeding

Darn it, you beat me to it James! (time zones, eh?)

Of course, instead of purchasing coloured tie-wraps, you can put on a co-responding number... none-to-none, 1-to-1, 2-to-2, etc...

 

[k0ua]

Darn it, you beat me to it James! (time zones, eh?)

Of course, instead of purchasing coloured tie-wraps, you can put on a co-responding number... none-to-none, 1-to-1, 2-to-2, etc...

Another thing you can do, is just rotate the wrap so that the head and cut off end is in a non accessible area of of the bundle (like the backside) so you cannot come into contact with it.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

My BX has colored caps and plugs for the QCs to keep the dirt out when disconnected. Seems to cover all the bases that way.

Ron

 

[bumperm]

Or if you use a lot of tie wraps, get a tie wrap tool. It tensions the tie and cuts if off flush with a squeeze of the handle.

Amazon.com: Cable Tie Gun Installation Tool: Home Improvement

In a pinch, I've also used side cutters, dykes, or even scissors, followed with a utility knife to cut the tie end flush with the clip fitting so there's no sharp bits . . . or do as James suggests.

bumper

 

[Sysop]

Another thing you can do, is just rotate the wrap so that the head and cut off end is in a non accessible area of of the bundle (like the backside) so you cannot come into contact with it.

I have been known to do that for a "clean look" to an installation, but to dull the edges I've been known to put a drop of soft rubber cement on the heads to cover the sharp edges with a tiny soft-touch rubber blob. Something like the quick disconnects being discussed sometimes you have to grasp the entire circumference and can't stay away from the edges.

 

[sandyc]

Just saw on GEARZ that you can use a lighter and heat the ends which rounds out the ends and makes them dull. I personally use colored tape and wrap it around the hoses. Makes it easier to see in the dark when blowing snow!

 

[Sysop]

The things in the first post sort of remind me of a single loop of a spiral coil binder.

 

[sandalwood]

Great suggestions everyone.

Anybody have the things in the photo (original post) on their tractor and know what they are called or a part number?

 

[bindian]

Zip ties, or to use aviation speak.........................Ty raps. You can buy colored ones from your local auto supply store.
hugs, Brandi

 

[AxleHub]

To eliminate the edges on zip ties I've used 2 different methods:

a. a dremel rotary tool with a small sanding sleeve. the advantage is you can round or smooth without needing to "close cut" which can weaken the zip tie.

b. Use a single drop of super glue on the cut edge. The advantage is not in "gluing anything" . . its a softener of plastic and vinyl . . and sharp edges or points will easily soften and round without any further effort on your part.

 

[firemanmike69]

I have a special pair of side cutters that are flush on the backside for cutting cable ties it's leaves the edge flush, no extra steps and no more cuts

 

[AxleHub]

I have a special pair of side cutters that are flush on the backside for cutting cable ties it's leaves the edge flush, no extra steps and no more cuts

The problem with having zip ties cut flush is there is no leeway if they flex in the heat or cold and work loose. Its true they look very neat . . but I always like to have a little knub for play or retightening (1/8 inch or more).

 

[bumperm]

The problem with having zip ties cut flush is there is no leeway if they flex in the heat or cold and work loose. Its true they look very neat . . but I always like to have a little knub for play or retightening (1/8 inch or more).

Having installed literally thousands of the darn things with several different purpose made installation tools that tension the tie then cut it off flush, I've never experienced issues with loosening due to thermal coefficients of expansion or otherwise. Too, we use mostly black ones, which should be worse as they absorb heat more (my company uses them - alarm systems) and also in aviation (one of my addictions). The white or "natural" ones do degrade outdoors and get brittle due to UV exposure, the black ones are better for that. Since most all nylon ties use a small toothed arm that engages serrations in the strap part, one can see that if it fails in a manner so as to come loose, it's pretty much a goner whether or not it's cut flush or with a nub or tail left.

A side note for using ties on mechanical things that vibrate . . . if applied directly to metal, the nylon, especially if there's oil or grease, will hold any abrasive dust or dirt and act as a binder, cutting into the metal over time. I've removed a tie from an engine mount and found the tie's serrations cut into the underlying metal - amazing (at least to me!). So, when applying ties to metal, I always use either some a split piece of old heater hose, or chafe tape under the tie.

 

[AxleHub]

I've never heard of chafe tape. Is it like a teflon tape or a vinyl or ?? Where do you get it?

I've found tie wraps/zip ties to be both a blessing and a curse. I often reuse them over and over . . and I was surprised many don't know how . . especially on the heavy duty versions used in heating and air.

On the other hand many see zip ties as harmess because they are plastic . . yet as you've mentioned also . . they can me quite abrasive (or cutting) themselves in the heavier versions . . and quite abrasive when dirt mixes with them.

Some of the heavier duty ones I've often used as a makeshift rasp or saw . . As their long edges can be very sharp and durable in thicker sizes . . and cut like tin or copper if not careful.

Going back to chafe tape . . is it available in different sizes or weight grades ?

 

[bumperm]

Sorry bout that, anti-chafe tape is a generic term that I guess could apply to many tapes depending on application.

The very best, toughest, abrasion resistant tape is doubtless UHMW PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) - mostly referred to as "UHMW". Handy for all manner of things where you want both low friction and high wear and abrasion resistance. Comes in varying thicknesses, you'll want something close to 5 mils if flexibility is important, as you get to about 10 mils (0.010") it starts getting less conformal, though even the thinner tape will not do compound curves as the material is just too mechanically strong to stretch much. Do a search on Amazon for UHMW tape. Oh, also it's available with either acrylic or rubber based adhesives . . . in most cases, acrylic adhesive is stronger.

bumper