What are Hydraulic Quick Couplers and How Do They Work?

Hydraulic quick couplers are fittings designed for fast and convenient linking and unlinking of fluid lines in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. These quick-disconnect couplings allow operators to rapidly attach or detach lines from machinery and attachments while maintaining system pressure and preventing fluid loss.

EH hydraulic quick disconnect couplers are interchangeable with couplers from Faster, Stucchi, Dixon, Parker, CEJN, Danfoss, Snap-Tite, TEMA, DNP, Holmbury, and others. They are compatible with most models of skid steer loaders, including CAT, John Deere, Bobcat, Kubota, Case / New Holland, and others.

Quick Connect and Disconnect without Additional Tools

Hydraulic quick couplers enable the rapid joining and separating of hoses without tools, eliminating the need to bleed the system, close valves, vent gas, release pressure, or refill fluid. This efficiency is crucial in time-sensitive operations where speed is essential.

Every quick-connect coupling comprises a male and female half that, when properly joined, direct and regulate fluid flow. These halves can be connected through various methods, including poppet, push-to-connect, or thread-to-connect designs. They are further differentiated by their internal valve type, such as poppet, ball, or flat face.

Types Of Hydraulic Quick Connect Couplers

Quick connect couplings are available in various designs, including poppet-style and ball-style couplers. These use simple shut-off mechanisms that seal fluid within the fittings when disconnected; when connected, the poppets or the balls are lifted to permit flow. For many applications, flat face or thread-to-connect couplers offer significant operational advantages over traditional poppet-style and ball-style designs.

Flat Face ISO 16028 Quick Couplers

Flat-face hydraulic quick couplers utilize an advanced interface that pushes the mating faces together upon connection, opening a large, unobstructed flow path. Engineered to prevent any fluid spillage during connection or disconnection, these couplings avoid environmental contamination—reducing cleanup costs—and create a safer workspace. Their sealed, flush design also makes them easier to keep clean and less prone to contamination.

EH Flat Face ISO 16028 Quick Couplers and Plugs are engineered for critical applications requiring leak-free operation. Their design features mating surfaces that are simple to clean prior to connection, making them the preferred choice for minimizing contamination within hydraulic systems.

Skid Steer Hydraulic Couplers

EH manufactures skid steer hydraulic couplers built to maintain peak performance in rugged equipment like Bobcat and other utility vehicles. These versatile machines, equipped with lift arms and interchangeable attachments, are essential for construction, industrial, and agricultural tasks. They require exceptionally durable quick couplers that can endure harsh conditions, from extreme weather to rough terrain.

These vehicles and loaders operate in punishing environments—from sub-zero cold, snow, ice, and corrosive salt during winter operations, to intense heat, humidity, and abrasive dirt on construction sites. EH's skid steer couplers are engineered to thrive in these extremes, delivering the reliable, leak-free performance vital for uninterrupted work.

ISO 7241-B Quick Couplers

The ISO 7241 B Series quick disconnect couplers are utilized in a wide range of hydraulic applications requiring stringent quality control, including aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries. They are also well-suited for general-purpose use, machine tools, mobile hydraulics, and various equipment applications. Our Series B couplers are fully cross-compatible with all other ISO 7241 B series couplings.

ISO 7241-A Quick Couplers

The ISO 7241 A Series quick disconnect couplers serve a broad array of demanding hydraulic applications in industries with rigorous standards, like aerospace, automotive, and electronics. These couplers are also an excellent choice for general industrial use, machine tools, mobile hydraulics, and other equipment. Our Series A couplers are fully compatible and interchangeable with all other ISO 7241 A series couplings.

Agricultural ISO 5675 Quick Couplers

This series represents the most widely used quick connect couplers across the agriculture, construction, and logging sectors. They are fully interchangeable with all ISO 5675 series couplings, including designs with ball seat valves, poppet seals, and push-pull mechanisms.

Poppet (Interchange) Quick Couplers

EH provides a broad range of interchangeable quick couplers designed to meet your specific needs, ensuring we can find the ideal connection solution for any application. For particularly demanding or unique configurations that require a trustworthy quick-connect system, we also offer custom-designed solutions tailored to your exact specifications.

Our poppet interchange couplers are employed across numerous general-purpose applications, including hydraulic systems, industrial plant processes, agricultural machinery, and any setting where high-pressure resistance is essential.

Wet Line Quick Couplers

The Wet Line Quick Couplers are used in extreme humid applications. Main components are all made from high-quality brass.

10,000 PSI High Pressure Quick Couplers

EH delivers dependable hydraulic quick couplers engineered to perform under extreme pressure, offering solutions for applications requiring up to 10,000 PSI. Our high-pressure coupler lineup includes robust thread-to-connect designs made from hardened steel for superior burst resistance, as well as innovative flat face couplers. This patented design provides a straightforward yet highly effective solution for leak-free, high-pressure connections.

Ultra High-Pressure Quick Couplers

EH delivers dependable ultra high-pressure quick couplers engineered to perform under extreme pressure, offering solutions for applications requiring up to 1500 bar.

Screw-To-Connect Quick Couplers

EH Screw-to-Connect Quick Couplers are engineered for high-performance in demanding heavy-duty transport applications, where rugged durability and cleanliness are critical. Constructed from hardened carbon steel with a corrosion-resistant zinc-nickel plating, they offer reliable operation in the most challenging construction settings.

Test Quick Couplers

Engineered for both high-pressure operation and user convenience, these Heavy Haul Test Hydraulic Couplings allow for fast pressure testing, fluid sampling, and system venting without any tools or operational downtime. Their durable steel construction makes them ideal for heavy-duty transport and any hydraulic system where precise, reliable performance is essential.

Multi-Coupling Plates

Multi-coupling plates enable the simultaneous connection of several hydraulic lines with a single, straightforward motion. EH offers a range of multi-coupling solutions featuring these plates, designed for the rapid linking of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical lines—even those of varying diameters.

Hydraulic Quick Coupler Materials

Couplers are manufactured from various materials, each precisely selected for specific fluid system requirements.

Carbon Steel: An alloy of iron and carbon, with a higher carbon content than stainless steel. This increases strength, lowers the melting point for better malleability, and improves heat distribution. Its combination of durability and strength makes carbon steel a common choice for many industrial applications.

Stainless Steel: An iron alloy containing at least 11% chromium, which provides excellent resistance to corrosion and rust by forming a protective oxide layer. Often enhanced with other elements, stainless steel couplers are ideal for harsh environments and corrosive fluids. Different grades, such as 316, 360, and 630, offer specific properties.

Brass: A robust material that withstands high temperatures, making brass quick couplings well-suited for applications involving refrigerants, mold and die work, and various industrial processes.

Quench Polish Quench (QPQ): A specialized surface treatment involving nitrocarburizing and case hardening. This process significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of metal components.

Hydraulic Quick Coupler Sizes and Port Types

EH supplies hydraulic quick couplers in a wide range of body sizes and port configurations. You can filter by specific dimensions, whether you need a 1/2-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/4-inch, 1/8-inch, or another size.

The coupling port defines how the EH product connects to a hose end, tube, or adapter within your circuit. These ports are manufactured to specific standards to guarantee a leak-free seal between our coupling and your system's fittings. Our hydraulic specialists can assist you in selecting the correct port type for your application, with the most common options being:

NPT – National Pipe Thread

SAE/MORB/STOR – Male O-ring Boss / Straight Thread O-ring

BSP – British Standard Parallel

JIC – 37-degree Flare

ORFS – O-ring Face Seal