JB Attachments has initiated a safety testing procedure that is believed to be among the first of its type in the world.
The company, which exports quick couplers to Australia, the UK and USA, is using Enerpac high-pressure 700 bar hydraulic technology to batch test its coupler castings production for optimum strength and reliability in service.
Jonel Hydraulics worked with JB Attachments to devise a testing rig incorporating two Enerpac RSM 500 Low Height cylinders each with 45 tons of force and using a 10mm stroke to test coupler jaw castings to international standard AS1418.
The company hopes to set a world safety standard.
The cylinders – mounted in a custom-fabricated test rig – are part of an Enerpac Low Height range designed to provide up to 150 tons of force and strokes of 62mm in confined spaces.
Actuated by an Enerpac P141 lightweight (2.4kg) hand pump for operator convenience, the force imposed in the test rig is measured on a digital gauge to ensure precision and consistency on castings produced to 600 MPA A5 standard.
According to Enerpac, the couplers have safety built into their design, featuring a patented jaw locking system that ensures the attachment is locked onto the coupler. The locking system does not require any form of stored energy.
JB Attachments’ test rig is currently employed on multi-couplers up to 30 tonne capacity.
Batches from production runs of thousands of units a year are continuously tested to withstand loads in excess of twice the specified capacity (for example, a 12-14 tonne coupler front jaw has a safe working load of 27 tonnes and is tested to 54 tonnes.
A second test rig will be introduced this year to extend the testing process onto larger sizes.