What would keep your Grapple out of the FIRE?

[EverythingAttachments]

The debate of JIC fittings vs. pipe thread fittings has been discussed a few times.
We use pipe fittings on all of our Wicked Grapples because they are much stronger and more accessible for customers to buy should a breakdown or mishap occur.

I stumbled across this youtube video that Eric posted a few months ago.

What kept his Wicked Grapple out of the fire???

Here's a look at the two fitting types, side by side. JIC is on the left and pipe thread is on the right.

Center tee:

Connection to hydraulic cylinders:

Here's our exact center configuration for the Wicked Grapples:

Which would you rather have?
Travis

 

[Rustyiron]

I have always used NPT for your stated reasons, but lately have been transitioning to JIC for some use(s). The JIC can eliminate needing a swivel, and also seal up tight & fast in a location that's hard to reach. They are also becoming as common as NPT. I will stay away from hose end 90's, JIC and NPT and use a fitting to turn 90 with either one. There not as flimsey at 1/2" & up, but those 1/4 hose end 90's are very "tender" to say the least. BUT, yes I like pipe threads most of the time for hoses, and who hasn't made a quick weekend TSC run for a off the shelf hose in a pinch.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

i have a wicked root grapple the one thing I don't like is the npt fittings I worked for a utility company for thirty years as a mechanic having a mobile fluid power cert.in my opinion jic are much superior to npt one example when hooking up quick couplings if a pressure build up has occurred its very easy to crack a jic fitting to relieve pressure try to crack a npt fitting jic uses a seat to seal not a taperd wedge like npt fittings just my opinion:cool2:

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Not sure why you'd think JIC isn't readily available. TSC has decent selection in my area at least.

Matt

 

[Rustyiron]

The (new to the state) TSC's around here are more of a clothing & dog food place than a farm supply like they were when I lived down south. But still handy!

 

[Jim Timber]

This thread's initial post is grasping at straws. Which of these fittings is load rated to suspend 600#? The answer is neither, and doing so was in response to user error (no offense Eric ).

NPT is an old, crude standard meant for low precision applications and aside from a select few exceptions, relies on plastic deformation of the fittings to make the seal. Reusing NPT fittings over time will wear them out, where JIC doesn't suffer the same fate nearly as quickly. ORF would be better yet, as the o-rings are replaceable if they become worn out. ORF also dwarfs the comparable NPT fittings, but you didn't post that up for comparison for obvious reason of negating the desired outcome of making your method appear superior.

EA, you make good products. This is really lame marketing of them.

 

[avc8130]

If you REALLY want to "fix" that issue, a piece of expanded metal welded across the back of the grapple to protect the levers from stick actuation is cheap and lightweight...

I prefer JIC fittings. NPT is a PIA, especially when it comes to elbows.

ac

 

[Rustyiron]

Look's like this one sort of back fired on ya' Trav.
Other than availability in some area's, (or time of day maybe) the above posts are accurate.

 

[Jim Timber]

There's nothing inherently wrong with NPT. It's been around a loooong time, and there's good reason for that. It's easy. Low precision: doesn't take anything but a die to make a male end or a tap to make a female. And it works!

If we had better access to better fittings, I'd be done with NPT. I still use it intentionally in applications which will not see any connection usage outside assembly and repairs - because it's cheap and readily available at the local store. I don't flaunt this as value added though. I have to drive right past a very reasonably priced hydraulics shop to buy hoses at Fleet Farm. If Bob had longer hours, I might skip NPT all together.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

In my defense at some point something I picked up kicked my single lever SSQA out of its locked position and I happened to have my camera running when the grapple dropped.

EA uses Parker hoses and components, which along with Eaton, are top drawer.

I have since welded in a heavy wire mesh onto my Wicked Root Grapple in order to guard the single SSQA lever from getting tripped by debris as well as added in a safety latch to hold the lever in the locked position as the entire lever vanishes from view below the hood line of any tractor and I frequently work in the dead of night.

As always,