TYPES OF HYDRAULIC FITTINGS & ADAPTERS

Since 1953, the hydraulic experts here at Greenshields Industrial Supply have answered questions for our customers. One of the most common queries we hear is, “What’s the difference between hydraulic fittings and adapters?”

While many people assume fittings and adapters are synonyms for the same part, the reality is these two types of components serve very different purposes.

This article will help you understand what the different types of hydraulic fittings and adapters are and will give you tips on how to select the best fitting or adapter for your application.

Hydraulic Fittings

Hydraulic fittings attach to hoses and are the connecting pieces that attach hoses, valves, pipes, tubes, and other components together. A hydraulic hose will always have two fittings — one on each end.

In addition to connecting components together, hydraulic hose fittings can change the direction of flow, split flow from one hose into two, and even change the elevation of lines. The one thing all fittings have in common is the goal of helping hydraulic fluid travel safely through the conductor.

Types of Hydraulic Fittings

Some of the most common types of hydraulic fittings include:

1. JIC Fittings. These are a type of flared hydraulic fitting and are also called “37° flare fittings.” JIC fittings create a tight seal via metal-to-metal contact. Ideal for tubing and hoses with medium or thin walls. Can withstand pressures up to 3,000 PSI and temps between 65-400 degrees F.
2. O-Ring Seal Fittings. Also called “ORS fittings,” these parts feature straight threading and a rubber O-ring on the face of the fitting that creates a leak-proof seal when tightened. Offers better results for tighter torque applications.
3. O-ring Boss Fittings. Also called “ORB fittings”, these are similar to ORS fittings. For ORB the O-ring is on the threads, not on the face.
4. Flareless Fittings. These three-piece self-aligning fittings provide excellent sealing.
5. Pipe Thread Fittings. Pipe thread does not seal as well as JIC or O-ring fittings. Many hydraulic system components have pipe threads, making pipe thread fittings necessary.

Hydraulic Adapters

In contrast to fittings, which have the single goal of helping fluid travel safely between components, adapters serve additional functions. The clue is in the name — adaptors are used to adapt two different forms or threads together. For example, connecting two hoses of different sizes.

Think about it like this, your fittings are used to attach hoses and other components to your hydraulic system, while adaptors ‘adapt’ the fitting to properly connect to other components and bring the whole hydraulic system together.

Types of Hydraulic Adapters

There is a lot of overlap between fittings and adapters.. Adapters have all the connection types that fittings do. That is how they connect to fittings. The difference is that where a JIC fitting will connect two hoses of the same thread, a JIC adapter connects components with different threads and different ends..

There are hundreds types of hydraulic adapters, including:

• ORS to ORS Adapters. Connect different sizes of ORS fittings, or different angles
• ORS to ORB Adapters
• JIC to ORB Adapters.
• JIC to ORS Adapters.
• JIC to Pipe Adapters.
• Pipe to Pipe Adapters. Connect different sizes of pipe threads, or different angles.
• Male to Female Adapters. Used to convert a male thread connection into a female thread connection, for any type of threaded adapter.
• Hydraulic Tee Adapters. Connects three flow sections via a T-shaped connection/intersection. Allows hydraulic fluid to be split or joined. The three ends can be the same face, thread and size or different faces, threads and sizes.
• 90° Adapters.
• 45° Adapters.
• Swivel Adapters. Incorporates a swivel in the system.
• Tube & Pipe Adapters. Connects pipes to tubes and tubes to pipes. The tube end is brazed or welded.
• Metric Thread Adapters. Metric threaded adapters of various styles.
• BSPP Thread Adapters. British threaded adapters of various styles.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Fittings & Adaptors

Using the wrong fitting or adaptor can spell disaster for your hydraulic system — leaks, noise, slow operating speeds, and equipment damage can all occur when parts of the wrong size, pressure rating, etc., are used.

To help you keep your hydraulic machinery running smoothly, here are a couple of things to keep in mind next time you’re shopping for a hydraulic fitting or adaptor:

Pressure Rating

Using a fitting that isn’t rated for the pressure of your hose can quickly lead to system failure. To help your components operate properly, double-check that your fittings and adaptors match the pressure rating of your system.

JIC fittings and NPT threads should not be used with high vibration or high-pressure applications. Look for a DIM metric fitting or O-ring face seal instead.

Application Compatibility

Is the fitting or adaptor compatible with your hydraulic system? Use the STAMP acronym to find out. Does the fitting’s Size, Temperature, Application, Media, and Pressure ratings/specifications match the components or system you’re using it for?

Where to Find High-Quality Hydraulic Fittings & Adaptors

Greenshields Industrial Supply offers one of the largest inventories of hydraulic fittings and adaptors in the Northwest. For nearly 70 years, our experts have been cutting hoses, building hydraulic hose assemblies, and supplying customers with high-quality hydraulic adaptors and fittings from the world’s leading manufacturers.

Use our digital catalog to shop for the exact fitting or adaptor you need, or, if you’re not sure which part to order, contact our store for professional guidance.