Pin Grab Versus Wedge Style Coupler

Keywords: excavator quick coupler, hydraulic quick coupler excavator

Excavator quick coupler

When choosing a coupler for an excavator, a frequently asked question is: “What are the primary differences between a pin grab and wedge style coupler? and how should I weigh my options while deciding between the two?

There are many factors when choosing to use a wedge-style versus pin grab quick coupler. In this article, we speak to Global Sales Manager Gerry Kealy to address some common decision factors regarding, safety, productivity, maintenance, and design features between both styles of couplers.

Hydraulic quick coupler excavator

1 . Have you safety considerations for customers & end-users changing attachments on their excavators?

Safety is always a number one consideration for Geith in the manufacturing and design of our attachments.

Standards such as ISO 13031, EN474-1 & NSW Directive have addressed Quick Coupler safety in Europe & Australia which help to eliminate unsafe quick couplers on sites, we are seeing this trend move across to North America and Canada now.

Safety-wise, an ISO13031 triple locking compliant hydraulic pin grabber Quick Coupler lets you change attachments without leaving the cab and would be regarded as the safest option for operators changing attachments. With more on-site focus on quick coupler safety, using an ISO13031 compliant triple locking quick coupler eliminates any doubt about compliance to local or national site safety standards.

Some wedge style manufacturers in order to try and comply with IS013031and other safety standards have added a feature to the back of the coupler adding length and weight. Geith pin grab safety features are designed into the coupler frame ensuring compact, simple & durable operation.

2 . Would you like to increase the versatility & productivity of your excavator by reversing buckets?

With a pin grab design coupler, reversing buckets, giving you the ability to excavate against walls and under pipes, is a standard feature. This gives operators more flexibility for doing tasks onsite and is a common feature taken for granted with a pin grabber.

With a wedge-style coupler, you cannot reverse buckets.

3 . Would you like your excavator to pick up a wide range of attachments?

A pin grab coupler with variable pin centres and multi-pin pickup allows you to easily pick up and swap the widest range of OEM attachments on-site, including attachments with different pin diameters.

With a wedge-style coupler, you are married to the specific wedge attachment and cannot interchange easily between different size attachments.

4 . As a dealer would you like to have a solution that enables your customers to switch easily from other OEM brands?

Kitting your fleet with a pin grab coupler will increase the options for converting deals for customers with other OEMs as the variable pin centre, multi-pin pick-up design will pick up buckets from a wide range of other similar size excavators. It also allows you to stock fewer buckets that will work across various machines.

5 . I have heard that a wedge-style has better breakout force than a pin grabber, is this true?

The most compact coupler is not the one with the better breakout force, despite popular belief. The Geith Quick coupler minimizes the drop in breakout force by having a compact design with a low tip radius, in contrast to some pin grabber systems that have a high design.