I would like to open a discussion about couplers. I am talking about tool/bucket couplers NOT hydraulic hose couplers (maybe another thread for those later on). I would like to know what brand coupler/s you have, pros & cons (obviously in your own opinion), how they are holding up, and of course pictures will help us all to see why they might, or might not, be good products. I have a Bobcat 435 mini. Right now it has the manual coupler on it. This is only because the hydraulic one I have is in need of a rebuild. I like the ease and convienience of the hydraulic unit. The fact that I don't even have to get out, to change buckets, is fantastic. It makes bucket swaps quick and easy, and I never even think twice about wether or not to change out buckets. On the downside is that I don't think it holds up very well (the hydraulic one). As I said it is in need of a rebuild. This will be the third time in 2,500 machine hours, and the coupler has not been installed since the beginning. The front side has tabs (coupler) and engagement hooks (bucket) and the back has pins that extend out of the side of the coupler into the bucket ears (bushing lined holes like a pin on bucket). The manual one (also a Bobcat unit) works the same except that you have to manually drive the rear pin in or out. The pin is a dual taper design that has a smaller diameter over the middle of the pin (so that the full pin thickness is only where it needs to be). I think I prefer a standard pin on design over the manual coupler as the alignment demands are on the back of the bucket where you can't see from the machine. The old addage "A picture is worth a thousand words" definately applies here so I will try to get a picture, of both, today so you can see what I'm talking about. I would even welcome other experiences with the same coupler.
Lets see, and hear about yours.
Lets see, and hear about yours.