Save $20
Code: 20OFFSave $30
Code: 30OFFSave $50
Code: 50OFF- Show results for
- Share
Dixon Hose Couplings. A Guide For Selection And Use.
It’s quite difficult to define all industrial branches where couplings are employed on a daily basis as core system elements. This long list definitely includes agriculture, construction, chemical, food & beverage processing, as well as mining and fire protection. Newcomers, as well as professionals in these fields, know well how important and sometimes difficult it is to choose proper hose fittings of high quality. With Dixon Valve & Coupling Company – an international leader in hose accessories manufacture and supply – the complexity of choice of a reliable product fades away.
What Is Hose Coupling?
A hose coupling is a type of connector applied to ends of hoses in order to connect/couple it with taps, hose appliances, or other hoses. These types of fittings are often manufactured of stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or even plastic and play an essential role in the overall quality of connections.
Types Of Couplings
Because of a broad range of designs, it may sometimes be difficult to choose the right hose coupling for a specific application. This chart below is intended to bring you through possible issues about choosing a Dixon Hose Coupling that meets your demands.
| TYPE | APPLICABILITY |
 |
Cam & Groove (a.k.a. "Camlock") is a quite popular industrial type of fittings due to its simple and tool-free adjustment. This type is subdivided into A, B, C, D, E, F types. Recommended For: septic tank pump trucks, fuel/chemical tanker trucks; suitable for lines where hose changes are needed. Not For: steam/compressed air. |
 |
The "sexless" Air King couplings (a.k.a. "Chicago style") represent a universal type featuring a two-lug head. These couplings are usually made of malleable brass/iron. Applicable to all hoses sized 0.25" – 1". Recommended For: air/water lines, fluid/gas services. Not For: steam service. |
 |
Ground Joint "boss" couplings represent a 3-component element (stem, wing nut, spud). This type provides a reliable, leakproof seal in connections. Recommended For: steam/compressed airlines (up to 450°F). |
 |
Holedall type is also called Rostra, Scovill, or Mulconry and is suitable for high-pressure applications. These internally-swaged couplings require using a hydraulic ram machine and certain dies to get connected. Recommended For: oil suction & discharge. Not For: steam service. |
 |
Storz represents another type of genderless couplings. It’s commonly utilized in connections to fire hydrants (for hoses of 12 to 250 mm). Recommended For: general types of hose connections, low-pressure applications; firefighting service. |
 |
NST stands for National Standard Thread and represents a widely used type for use with fire hoses in the USA. Recommended For: fire hoses. |
 |
Tri-Clover or tri-clamp couplings are genderless elements for use in combo with a clamp and gasket. Recommended For: wine/beer brewery. |
Hose Couplings Assembly Tips
The whole hose and coupling performance depends on its compatibility with the transported media and proper assembling, so this procedure deserves attention and requires total abidance by all rules. The most important criteria are properly chosen threadings, diameters, and types of hoses and couplings.
Following these simple tips will contribute to a professional, efficient, and, what is also important, safe performance.
Accomplish a pre-installation examination. Check all components to be compatible with each other and with media they’ll transport. Despite the type of couplings/hoses you’re up to make use of, be sure all mating areas and threadings are clean and free of obstructions/defects.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to create a safe and qualitative connection. Pay attention to standards and specifications for use of particular couplings with certain hoses & media. Abidance by the rules will make your hose assemblies efficient, durable, and safe.
Do not mix & match the elements from different manufacturers! That seems to be the most important rule, which, in case of abidance, saves employees/operators from injuries or even death. There even exists a science of connection and interaction between hoses and coupling, called hose/coupling interface.
Do not reuse the worn-out parts that have been blown/pulled off a hose or failed their performance for any reason (even if they are reusable). It may fail to perform properly in the future and cause severe injuries or even death. The only couplings that can be reused are those meant for this and that have performed and disconnected properly.
Extreme caution is required in applications with steam service. These types of assemblies possess a high level of a potential hazard. Use only those parts that are recommended for such service and always replace the worn-out components on time.
Do not downplay the importance of safety clips & dust plugs! Safety clips/pins help to diminish the risk of accidental disconnection, thus, increase your employees’ safety. Dust plugs, in their turn, serve as a means for the protection of hoses from contamination/dust. It also helps to prevent leakage of media left in a hose during its transportation or disconnection during maintenance.
It is extremely necessary to carry out scheduled visual inspections, functional tests, and maintenance for all connection types to perform properly. In case of any malfunctions in the performance of couplings, they should be replaced with new ones and never reused.