Fendt has received a Silver Medal at this year’s Agritechnica for its newly developed modular flat-sealing hydraulic coupling, which was awarded by the jury German Agricultural Society (DLG).
“With this new system, we are entering a new era in the area of hydraulic couplings. The new coupling is not only environmentally friendly and energy efficient, it also permits extremely easy connecting and disconnecting,” proudly explains Jürgen Knobloch, Head of Fendt Hydraulics Development.
The new flat-faced Fendt hydraulic coupling, which can be coupled under full pressure on both sides, prevents losses through oil leakage and eliminates ground contamination by oil. Pressure loss, with its associated higher fuel consumption, can also be reduced substantially. Traditional hydraulic couplings are also very difficult to keep clean, which means it’s almost impossible to prevent dirt from contaminating the entire system.
“In contrast, the absolutely flat design of the surface of the novel, flat-sealing hydraulic couplings permits easy cleaning and extends the filter change interval, since contamination through dirt is extremely low,” says Knobloch.
The coupling insert components can also be easily dismantled, which eases maintenance and the system greatly reduces the need for repairs caused by damaged couplings and connectors.
“With our system, customers can fit their hydraulic blocks with different coupling sizes to meet their requirements. In addition to the most often used ½-inch coupling, it is also possible to use ¾-inch couplings and the new flat-sealing 5/8-inch coupling. In this way, farming enterprises do not need to change over to the new system overnight, but can convert step by step,” he explains.
The screw-in inserts are available in different sizes and can be exchanged easily and conveniently. “Of course, we have also taken the time-tested features of the previous hydraulic couplings and adapted them to the new system. For example, lever operation continues to provide for easy connecting and disconnecting without effort. The system can be coupled under pressure on both sides and break-away protection is still integrated.”
Fendt continues to offer the proven colour-coded connections for the new hydraulic coupling system. The coupling shield prevents mix-ups when connecting the hoses. “To guarantee that the coupling shield is connected properly, we have added centring bores to our new system,” he adds.
The experts of the neutral Agritechnica innovations commission selected four gold medals and 33 silver medals from more than 300 submissions. Silver medals for innovations are awarded to products that have been further developed in such a fashion that an essential improvement of the function or process can be expected. The new system from Fendt more than meets these criteria.
The jury summarised the new hydraulic coupling system as follows: “Customers can screw in ½-inch, ¾-inch standard or, optionally, the appropriate flat face couplings (FFC) in a universal coupling block according to their needs. For the first time, it is possible for customers to convert from standard to flat face couplings themselves. Together, the coupling block and FFC provide a leak-free break-away function, minimise flow losses and reduce hydraulic system contamination. This also enables connecting and disconnecting under pressure and minimises oil loss.”
