TA27-63E KOMATSU Training Aid @ SWIVEL JOINT Ee A piece of hydraulic oil hose connecting two points presents little or no problem as long as. the points have no relative movement of rotation. If either connection point is rotary, as in the case of a power shovel or swing shovel, some provision must be made to prevent the hose from getting twisted. This requirement is met by the swivel joint. CONSTRUCTION The joint shown above consists of two major parts, BARREL (outer part) and ROTOR (inner part). Either may be secured to the rotary member. The rotor is grooved on its periphery at so many places and, together with the bore of the barrel, presents so many annular oil spaces, each being communicated to a threaded connection through a port. This joint construction permits so many hoses to be tied into che joint. The annular spaces are isolated from one another by means of “O” rings. KOMATSU LTD.[A simple swivel joint shown below is for use in single-line oil circuits. It is also provided with “O” rings at mated surfaces where the rotary sliding motion takes place. “0” RING REPLACEMENT A leaking swivel joint invariably has deteriorated “O” rings. Renewing such “O” rings restores the joint to the original oil-tight condition. lf the deterioration is due to a individually worn “O” ring, it may be safely assumed that all the “O” rings in the joint have reached the end of service life and need to be replaced by new ones. @lf the deterioration is due to injuries suffered by an “O" ring on account of abrasive particles stuck to the rubbing or sliding surface, replace the injured “O” ring alone. Of course, the cause of the injury must be eliminated before fitting a replacement ring, Before putting in new “O” rings, make sure that the sliding surfaces of the rotor and barrel are free from burrs, nicks, grits or any other malcondition that could scar the sealing face of the “O” ring. Be sure to grease the sliding surfaces and “O” rings in place before fitting the barrel onto the rotor. Back-up rings, if used to back up “O” rings, must be replaced when “O” rings are replaced. When re-building the joint, it is a good practice to fit the “O” ring first, followed by its back-up ring, this sequence simplifies the re-building work. Remember, “O” rings differ in material and in hardness. “O” rings for swivel joints are generally made of a material relatively hard. Be sure to use the “O” rings specified in the parts book. Two rings of the same dimensions can be different in material. Do not identify “O” rings by dimensions alone. ‘Threaded connections, particularly those of elbow-shape joints, are made oil-tight by using a seal tape on the threads. Such a tape should be wound around the threaded portion not more than two turns, and the direction of tape winding must be opposite to the direction of the thread. ‘The number of lines signifies the number of oil lines. SYMBOL FOR SWIVEL JOINT In hydraulic circuit diagrams, swivel joints are indicated by symbol like the one shown on the right. Printed in (06-82(06)03003, <