Caterpillar Product Information

Product Bulletin
May 2007

Hydraulic Excavator Coupler Selection Guide

Dedicated Wedge-Lock Coupler

Pin-Grabber Coupler

Pin Lock Coupler

Caterpillar offers a range of quick coupler systems for hydraulic excavators. While this offering can meet a diverse range of customer needs, sometimes the number of choices can be confusing. The goal of this guide is to clarify the function, features and benets of a range of coupler systems and offer pointers to aid in selection. The couplers covered are: pin-grabber, dedicated wedge-lock, and pin lock.

GEJQ0199-01

For Dealer Sales Personnel

Its worth asking, why sell a quick coupler? The benets are many:
Provide more versatility machines can do more things, simply by switching which tools they carry Provide increased production the ability to switch tools quickly increases daily production and overall machine utilization Improve work tool and machine component life Increase sales of tools at the initial sale and in the aftermarket Take advantage of Cat merchandising programs for machines, couplers and work tools

Pin-Grabber Couplers
These couplers work by grabbing the bucket pins of a standard bucket or work tool. They can pick up most standard buckets and tools with no modication, provided the tool in question is equipped with pins. This allows a customer to utilize an already existing inventory of work tools, including some competitors buckets. With few exceptions, pin-grabber couplers can pick up buckets in the reverse (front shovel) position. One drawback is that pin-grabber couplers are heavier than dedicated couplers. They also increase the tip radius signicantly. These two factors can negatively impact breakout force and loading performance. However the sheer convenience of the pin-grabber style coupler has made them popular with customers. Pin-Grabber Coupler Picks up most standard buckets and tools with no modication. Tool must be equipped with standard pins.

The design of this coupler makes it compatible with a range of attachment pin spreads and widths.

A check valve and blocking bar prevent tool disengagement in the event of a hose or hydraulic system failure.

A double-acting hydraulic cylinder moves a hook to engage or disengage the work tool pin.

4
2

Integral lifting eye for handling material without the added weight of a bucket.

Dedicated Couplers
Dedicated couplers require a special receiver on the bucket or work tool bracket hinge assembly. They cannot use conventional pin-on buckets or tools. Most hydromechanical tools (hammers, compactors, etc.) can work with a dedicated system by using the correct bracket. The advantage of this type of coupler is that, in most cases, there is no increase in tip radius or decrease in breakout force. There is a slight increase in weight, but not as much as with a pin-grabber coupler. This type of coupler is recommended for hammers and other hydromechanical work tools. Dedicated couplers cannot use buckets in the reversed front shovel position. There are many types of dedicated coupler systems, few of which are cross-compatible. Caterpillar offers two types on excavators: wedge-lock and pin lock systems. Dedicated Wedge-Lock couplers are what are usually meant when talking about dedicated couplers on hydraulic excavators. A range of buckets, hammer/compactor brackets, grapples and other tools are available for this coupler style. Dedicated couplers are available for the 312345 machines. Recently, Caterpillar has introduced dedicated couplers for 365 VB and 385 HB linkages. While similar to their smaller brethren, they do have a slight increase in tip radius (6"-8") which is still about half the tip radius increase of similarly-sized pin-grabber couplers. It is possible for wedge lock couplers to pick up tools from larger or smaller machines. While this can offer some additional exibility, it cannot be clearly suggested as an advantage. Before recommending this to a dealer, it is worth considering whether the tools or the machine might suffer damage or decreased performance when used like this. Pin Lock couplers are the second dedicated type coupler offered for hydraulic excavators. Available for the 307322 machines, their primary advantage is compatibility with Wain-Roy, Gannon and similar coupler systems. This can be a key selling feature for customers with a large existing inventory of this type buckets. Pin lock couplers are available with a tilting function, allowing the bucket to be used at an angle. There are three sub-types of pin lock couplers, depending on machine size: yard for 416, 420, 430, 307 yard for 446, 311, 312, M312, M315 yard for 314 through 322 and M318 through M322

Tilting Pin Lock Coupler Compatible with Wain-Roy, Gannon and similar coupler systems, these couplers are offered in three styles depending on machine size.

Dedicated Wedge-Lock Coupler This coupler style offers exibility without sacricing breakout force.

Dedicated Hydraulic vs. Dedicated Manual

As the name suggests, dedicated hydraulic couplers are operated by the machines hydraulic system, allowing actuation by the operator without leaving the cab. They are convenient, quick (10-15 second cycle times). They require a hydraulic circuit and installation of boom and stick hydraulic lines. Dedicated manual couplers are usually easier and less expensive to install, however they require the operator or a second person to engage the coupler fastening system by hand; a process which can take several minutes.

On the dedicated hydraulic coupler, spring force and retraction force of the hydraulic cylinder secures the wedge into position.

On the dedicated manual coupler, two bolts with spring tension washers secure the wedge to the coupler.

The information contained herein is intended for circulation only to Caterpillar and dealer employees whose duties require knowledge of such reports and is intended exclusively for their information and training. It may contain unveried analysis and facts observed by various Caterpillar or dealer employees. However, effort has been made to provide reliable results regarding any information comparing Caterpillar built and competitive machines. Effort has been made to use the latest available spec sheet and other material in the full understanding that these are subject to change without notice. Any reproduction of this release without the foregoing explanation is prohibited.
For more complete information on Cat products, dealer services, and industry solutions, visit us on the web at www.cat.com. Materials and specications are subject to change without notice. Featured machines in photos may include additional equipment. See your Caterpillar dealer for available options.

GEJQ00199-01

May 2007
2007 Caterpillar All rights reserved. Printed in USA
CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, Caterpillar Yellow, and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.