Five Reasons Quick Disconnect Fittings Fail

Quick disconnect fittings are used to provide easy disconnection or connection of fluid lines. They do not require tools to assemble and disassemble, which makes them popular in busy equipment shops seeking to streamline their processes. However, if quick connects in San Jose, CA are not installed properly or you do not choose the correct fitting for your equipment, it can cause damage and failure. Here are five reasons you may face equipment failure and how to avoid them:

• Vibration: Applications like forklifts and jackhammers cause significant vibration. This can loosen fittings during use and later lead to failure when hydraulic fluids cannot travel within your equipment. The best course of action is to choose quick connects that are designed to stay secured during vibration. Also, if possible, only choose quick disconnect fittings that are made for the equipment that needs them, rather than trying to use something simply because you have the part in your shop.
• Side load: This issue involves uneven loading in connections. Basically, the load is not handled correctly, and it places too much pressure on one side of the connections. This leads to cracking, warping and, eventually, failure. To avoid this issue, install quick connects in the direction of the load. If you need assistance determining this direction, ask your parts dealer or check your equipment’s user manual.
• Contamination: Shops, warehouses and manufacturing spaces are full of foot traffic and machine activity. This unsettles dust, and a constant stream of workers and visitors adds dirt to the mix. As this debris builds up, it can accumulate on couplings and contaminate them. Prevent this buildup by using dust caps and plugs to keep connections clean. Also, set up a cleaning schedule for your equipment so debris is not constantly threatening a breakdown.
• Rotation: If your couplings face a full rotation and you do not install a swivel, this leads to cold forming and score lines in the coupling. Eventually, this develops into cracks and breaches that could fail your equipment right when you really need it. If rotation is possible, use a swivel to prevent damage.
• Human error: Humans are fallible. They may forget to replace broken parts, skip an equipment cleaning day or even leave machinery turned on overnight. Also, workers may try to figure out solutions on their own that may not work best. One of these may occur out of desperation when pressure builds up and the disconnects do not come apart, and workers use hammers or other tools to force disconnection. This damages your couplings and causes new problems. Rather than leave workers in a realm of few choices, install couplings with threading that automatically disconnects under pressure. That eliminates the panic and poor decision making that turns one problem into a new one!

Royal Brass Incorporated is an authorized retailer of Dixon quick disconnect fittings. Located in San Jose, CA, we can show you why these products offer superior quality and help you choose the right quick connects for your equipment or vehicles. Call or visit today to learn more.

Categorised in: Tube Fittings