Attachment / Working tool:
Assembly of components that can be mounted onto the base machine or equipment for specific use.
Arm / Stick:
One of the elements which composes the front linkage.
Boom:
Mobile elements interconnected with pivots, operated by hydraulic cylinders. Usually made up of multiple units which allow the elevation and use of the attachment.
Quick Coupler / Quick Hitch:
A device mounted on an earth-moving machine to allow the quick interchange of attachments.
Quick couplers essentially improve the speed and productivity in the demolition and recycling industry where many different attachments are used for different work and require
frequent changes.
Carrier / Base machine:
It is the machine where the attachment is fitted, allowing this way its use. Demolition and recycling attachments always require a carrier to provide power, stability and to move them into the working position.
Attachment and carrier must be compatible, and the carrier should be powerful enough to get maximum productivity out of the attachment, but not so powerful that it causes damage
or premature wear to the attachment
Hydraulic piping:
The hydraulic connection between carrier, quick coupler and hydraulic attachment.
Adapter:
Element mounted on the attachment to with the quick coupler mounted on the carrier is attached.
Quick Coupler Hydraulic valve:
It opens/locks the Quick Coupler system when the initial function is started from the cabin (safety switch/control unit/pressure function etc.). It is
already installed from the factory or needs to be installed retro-fit.
Lifting hook:
Element included in some quick couplers that allows carrying out lifting operations.
It should be marked with a Rated Capacity (Safe Working Load) which must not be exceeded. Moreover, it should only be used for lifting if the excavator to which they are fitted is rated and equipped for lifting duties.
Locking indicator:
Element of the quick coupler that indicates whether the locking system is correctly, or incorrectly, locked.
Locking mechanism:
System that ensures that the attachment is retained in its working position if the engagement force is lost, reduced, or removed.
Locking pins:
Elements that allow the locking of the quick coupler by being inserted on the corresponding holes.
Pins:
Pins or shaft used to mount and lock the quick coupler with the excavator arm.
Quick coupler body:
Main element of the quick coupler on which all other elements are mounted.
Coupling claws:
Part of Quick Coupler which embraces the adapter pin while being in the engagement process.
Other definitions
Demolition excavator:
Excavator designed and fitted with special accessories to make it suitable for demolition work.
Engagement system:
Mechanical system of the quick coupler which engages with the attachment
and retains the attachment in its working position.
Equipment:
The set of components mounted onto the base machine that allows an attachment to perform the primary design function of the machine.
Excavator:
A self-propelled machine on crawlers, wheels, or legs, having an upper structure capable of a 360° swing with mounted equipment and which is primarily designed for excavating with a bucket, without movement of the undercarriage during the work cycle.
Head bracket (cradle) / Suspension brackets:
A device fitted to an attachment to facilitate the connection to a quick coupler or directly to the arms and linkage of the demolition rig.
Some head brackets are designed to fit on several sizes of machines with a standardised pin diameter for attachment connection.
Integrated control:
Control used to engage or disengage the quick coupler which is integrated into, or mounted onto, any other machine control; or a control that also has another function.
Mechanical quick coupler / Manual quick coupler:
Quick coupler where the movement of the engagement and locking systems is actuated by human effort at the quick coupler itself.
Mixed quick coupler:
Quick coupler where engagement and locking are carried out from the operator’s station but disengagement is carried out by human effort at the quick coupler itself.
Operating mass:
The mass of the base machine, with equipment and empty attachment in the most usual configuration as specified by the manufacturer, and with the operator (75 kg), full fuel tank, and all fluid systems at the levels specified by the manufacturer and, when applicable, with sprinkler water tank(s) half-full place before the beginning of a job in order to eliminate or mitigate against harm occurring.
Powered quick coupler:
Quick coupler where the movement of at least one part of the engagement and locking system is actuated by a power source.
Working position:
Position on the quick coupler in which the attachment is able to perform its intended function.
Links:
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