Fendt received a silver medal at this year’s Agritechnica. The German Agricultural Society (DLG) announced that Fendt has convinced the jury with its newly developed modular flat-sealing hydraulic coupling. “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,” explains Jürgen Knobloch, Head of Fendt Hydraulics Development proudly.
The new flat-sealing Fendt hydraulic coupling, which can be coupled under full pressure on both sides, prevents losses through oil leakage and therefore eliminates contamination of the ground through oil. Pressure loss, with its associated higher fuel consumption, can also be reduced substantially. Traditional hydraulic couplings are also very difficult to keep clean. It is almost impossible to prevent dirt from contaminating the entire system. “In contrast, the absolutely flat design of the surface of the newly developed, flat-sealing hydraulic couplings permits easy cleaning and extends the filter change interval, since contamination through dirt is extremely low.” Parts of the coupling inserts can be disassembled, which makes maintenance easy. Repair work caused by damaged couplings and connectors are an exception with the new system.
One hydraulic block – different coupling sizes
“With our system, customers can fit their hydraulic blocks with different coupling sizes to meet their requirements. In addition to the most often used 1/2-inch coupling, it is also possible to use 3/4-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,” explains Knobloch. 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 color-coded connections for the new hydraulic coupling system. The coupling shield prevents mixups when connecting the hoses. “To guarantee that the coupling shield is connected properly, we have added centring bores to our new system.”
33 silver medals at this year’s Agritechnica
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 summarized the new hydraulic coupling system as follows: “Customers can screw in 1/2-inch, 3/4-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, minimize flow losses and reduce contamination of the hydraulic system. This enables connecting and disconnecting under pressure and minimizes oil loss.”
