OVERVIEW:
OVERHEATING CAUSES QUICK COUPLER FAILURE, DOWNTIME AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHES
A Mulching owner/operator was having issues with excessive heat and hydraulic quick coupler failure on his compact track loader. In addition, he was experiencing excessive downtime, poor performance and the potential of catastrophic consequences.
CHALLENGE:
PREVENTING OVERHEATING WITH ROBUST, HIGH-FLOW ATTACHMENTS
The challenge was to be able to change his hydraulic quick couplers to a larger, more optimum size to reduce pressure drop, or heat, and to offer a more robust quick coupler to withstand the rigors of operating a mulching head and other high flow attachments. Additionally, the solution needed to replace the current quick coupler connection block and be field replaceable.
SOLUTION:
LARGER, 1″ COUPLERS IN THE HEAVY DUTY SATURN BLOCK HD
Stucchi was able to discover the most compelling issues experienced by the machine owner as related to the hydraulic quick couplers: Excessive hydraulic temperature, coupler connecting issues such as residual pressure and brinneling which is the deformation 
of the end of the male coupler caused by excessive impulsing and side loading, which sometimes prevents connection or disconnection.
The Stucchi Solution: SATURN HD with VEP threaded, flat face couplers
For this application, Stucchi, along with input from an actual machine owner, developed a bracket which holds the Stucchi Saturn Block and allows the current OEM coupler block to be replaced without major alterations to the loader arm. In addition, Stucchi’s SaturnHD block comes with 1” screw to connect flat face couplers, VEP series, designed to upgrade the OEM block from ½” size couplers.
This greatly increases flow to the attachments and reduces pressure drop, thus helping eliminate the hydraulic heat issues. The VEP style coupler offered in the Stucchi SaturnHD block allows for connecting and disconnecting with residual pressure and eliminates the brinneling effect, among other benefits.
RESULTS:
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
The Stucchi Saturn HD has reduced downtime, given better performance, and lowered overall operating costs by providing the correct solution for the mulching owner and operator’s requirements.
BENEFITS:
- Better reliability
- Better performance
- Lower operating costs
- Customer satisfaction by completing jobs on time increasing chances for repeat business or new opportunities
Stucchi offers hydraulic solutions that improve your application and overall business operations.
Download Stucchi’s FREE Guide to Mulching and Hydraulics; learn how to increase flow capacity, adapt equipment with auxiliary kits, and reduce equipment overheating to increase mulching profitability.
Learn how to maximize mulching efficiency with our Comprehensive Guide to Stucchi’s High Flow Hydraulic Couplers. Understand the biggest challenges with mulching, how to overcome these challenges with high-flow quick couplers, connect under pressure solutions, and more.
