We have numerous designs of hydraulic fittings – hundreds and even thousands of them. These fittings fall into three categories, namely tapered thread connectors, metal seals, and soft seals.
The most common type out of the three are tapered thread connectors, and one of the not-so-popular types of threaded hydraulic fittings is the hydraulic swivel fitting.
A swivel, by definition, is a “coupling between two parts enabling one to revolve without turning the other.” That is essentially what you get with hydraulic swivel fittings.
While they primarily work like any other type of hydraulic fittings, swivel fittings are often applicable in specific hydraulic systems.
In this post, we go in-depth on what hydraulic swivel fittings are, how they work, and their types and uses.
What Is a Hydraulic Swivel Fitting?
Hydraulic swivel fittings come with a unique design that enables flexible rotation about their axis. As a result, they are dependable for hydraulic systems that experience regular hose bending, kinking, and twisting.
Typically, hydraulic swivel fittings rotate up to 360 degrees about their axis, making any hydraulic system less rigid. Aside from presenting bending, kinking, and twisting, they are also helpful in absorbing hydraulic surges and shocks. Using swivels in your hydraulic system means longer hose life and less maintenance downtime.
Furthermore, this fitting type has tight tolerances, which makes them one of the best for high-pressure applications. They are useful in hydraulic systems with pressure levels as high as 5,000 psi.
Like any other type of hydraulic fitting, swivel fittings are also leak-proof. However, all of these depend on the quality of the swivel fittings. There are substandard and high-quality hydraulic swivel fittings in the market. Always go for the latter.
How Does a Hydraulic Swivel Work?
Hydraulic swivel fittings have two parts namely the stem and the housing.The stem is the area which you connect to the hydraulic system and is always stationary.
In contrast, the housing is connected on top of the stem. This part rotates up to 360 degrees and is held in place with a locking nut.
It is worth noting that not all hydraulic swivel fittings operate in the same way. Some other types come with ball bearings and internal sealing mechanisms. This will either allow restricted or unrestricted rotation. The housing usually rotates up to 90 degrees maximum for the restricted rotation.
Furthermore, some hydraulic swivels come with external exclusion seals. The job of these seals is to prevent damage from contaminants, which makes such swivel fittings applicable in harsh conditions.
Most swivel fittings in the market are stainless steel, aluminum, and brass fittings. When opting for a hydraulic swivel fitting, consider factors like speed and torque requirements, pressure rating, and fluid port options to ensure it works for your hydraulic system.
Type of Swivel Hydraulic Hose Fittings
High-pressure swivels and ball-less couplings are the two most common types of swivel hydraulic hose fittings.
- High-Pressure Swivels
This type of swivel hydraulic hose fittings is specifically for high-pressure applications. They feature stainless steel ball bearings and are common in mining, railroad, and robotic equipment. Thanks to their compact inline swivel joints, high-pressure swivels fit in relatively tight areas.
Notably, there are extra heavy-duty swivels for more extreme applications, up to 10,000 psi. Such types come with a hardened male stem with integral inner and outer bearing races.
- Ball-less Couplings
Ball-less couplings usually handle side loads and pressures of up to 6,000 psi. Their primary characteristic is that they are easy to install. All you have to do is screw it in, and you get a firm, short swivel sealing.
Most ball-less couplings are restricted at 90 degrees. Nevertheless, they are still perfect for application in narrow spaces.
Uses of Swivel Hydraulic Hose Fittings
The versatility and efficiency of hydraulic swivel fittings make them a popular choice for various industrial uses and pieces of equipment. Here are some of their most common applications:
Robotic Arms
Robotic arms are among the most complicated hydraulic systems used today in industrial settings. Due to the nature of their work, they require a great deal of mobility in multiple directions to do routine tasks with pinpoint accuracy.
This movement in multiple directions demands a versatile hydraulic fitting like the swivel fittings. Otherwise, ripped lines and ultimate failure of the hydraulic system are possible with the enormous torque robotic arms generate.
Hydraulic Actuators
As stated before, the mining, aerospace, and automotive sectors rely heavily on hydraulic equipment. Hydraulic actuators allow for the application-specific deployment of high levels of force and torque.
Whenever a hydraulic actuator moves, the hydraulic lines leading to the hydraulic cylinders stretch or compress, depending on the direction of the actuator’s motion. In such a situation, hydraulic swivel fittings stop the lines from twisting.
Mining Equipment
Surges in hydraulic systems are common and result from the system’s load. Particularly affected are the tools used in mining and excavating.
As a result of their massive size and the complexity of the tasks they must do, mining machines are far more advanced and sophisticated than the typical hydraulic system. In particular, they work under more strain and thus demand more robust components.
Swivel hydraulic hose fittings are essential for such heavy-duty mining equipment. They help eliminate the need to extend their hydraulic lines. It’ll help you save money and space in purchasing and using longer lines.
Conclusion
Now you know how useful hydraulic swivel fittings are, the different types, and their best applications. In any case, only high-quality hydraulic swivel fittings are the most dependable.
For this reason, you must purchase your hydraulic fittings from a trusted manufacturer like Sinopuse. With certifications from MSHA, ISO, CE, and other top bodies, StrongFlex is more than a professional hydraulic hose manufacturer.