Two Common Excavator Quick Coupler Types

There are two different excavator quick coupler types on the market. Each type of quick coupler has different functions, and therefore, their applicable scopes also vary. This article will introduce these two excavator quick coupler types.

According to different working principles, the excavator quick coupler types can be classified into hydraulic-driven excavator quick coupler and mechanical excavator quick coupler.

Hydraulic-Driven Excavator Quick Coupler

The hydraulic-driven quick coupler, as a product of modern technology, fully utilizes the excavator's own hydraulic system. It installs two additional oil circuit systems through the excavator's original oil pump distribution valve, which directly connect to the quick coupler. When it is necessary to replace the working attachment on the excavator, the operator can easily control the electromagnetic switch of the oil circuit to drive the hydraulic cylinder to extend and retract, quickly completing the locking and releasing of the attachment. 

This type of coupler not only has strong power and high stability but also offers extremely simple operation, greatly improving construction efficiency. However, due to the need to add additional oil circuit systems and hydraulic cylinders, the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of hydraulic-driven quick couplers are relatively high. Additionally, installing this type of coupler usually requires some modifications to the excavator's hydraulic pipeline, which inevitably increases the complexity of the construction.

Mechanical Excavator Quick Coupler

On the other hand, the hitachi excavator quick coupler adopts more traditional mechanical principles. It mainly adjusts the distance of the movable block through the rotation of a mechanical screw. When the screw rotates to a certain position, the movable block can achieve clamping or releasing of the attachment. This design does not rely on the excavator's hydraulic system, so there is no need for additional modifications to the excavator. 

It is plug-and-play, which is very convenient. Additionally, due to its simple structure, the manufacturing cost and purchasing cost of the mechanical quick coupler are relatively low, making it a good choice for users with limited budgets. However, under high-intensity cyclic motion over a long period, the mechanical screw can become loose or its threads can get damaged due to uneven force or excessive wear, which to a certain extent affects its durability. Moreover, in harsh working environments, the rotation of the mechanical screw may become difficult due to factors such as mud, sand, or rust, increasing the physical burden on the operator.