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Ex 120-2 quick coupler hosing

Sam735

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2025
Messages
11
Location
Victoria Australia
Hi all wanting to put a quick coupler on my excavator but not sure where to get the hydraulic pressure to run the quick coupler valve. It is not a spring loaded quick coupler so I assume it needs pressure to stay shut and pressure to open
If anyone has done this and would mind sharing some photos, thanks.
 
Last edited:

heymccall

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
6,157
Location
Western Pennsylvania
Most use bucket cylinder extend pressure.

Just guessing from the way you phrased the question, you're looking to piecemeal a coupler and controls together.

If you're buying a kit, all the instructions are in it.
 

Tones

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
4,265
Location
Ubique
Occupation
Ex land clearing contractor, part-time retired
Hook it into the crowd ram on the extending hose, fit a change over valve between the ears of that ram then 2 hoses to the coupler ram. Now run the wiring from the cab switch the changeover valve.
This way you should have hydraulic pressure in the coupler ram for attaching and detaching implements.
 

Tones

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
4,265
Location
Ubique
Occupation
Ex land clearing contractor, part-time retired
Curl the bucket to open and close. The switch should be ,on,off,on. The off position locks the ram iirc.
 

Chiefdug

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Messages
62
Location
Nanoose bay BC
Occupation
Retired Fire Chief- Full time excavating contractor
If I am understanding this right, you will have very high pressure on your Quick coupler doing it this way (around 5000PSI). Most (if not all) 120's have an extra spool/port in the valve bank. They usually have blank flanges on the output ports and plugs in the pilot ports. You will most likely need 2 relief cartridges, a dual acting solenoid valve, a joystick with (on off on) momentary switch or buttons and all the hoses. Run hoses out to the end of the arm and your set. This will also provide you the plumbing you need for a live thumb (now or future). I installed mine with a 1" line to one side and an additional 1 1/4" return back to the bottom of my hydraulic tank so I can run a hammer on it. 3/4" lines should be adequate unless your looking for higher flow.
 

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heymccall

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
6,157
Location
Western Pennsylvania
If I am understanding this right, you will have very high pressure on your Quick coupler doing it this way (around 5000PSI). Most (if not all) 120's have an extra spool/port in the valve bank. They usually have blank flanges on the output ports and plugs in the pilot ports. You will most likely need 2 relief cartridges, a dual acting solenoid valve, a joystick with (on off on) momentary switch or buttons and all the hoses. Run hoses out to the end of the arm and your set. This will also provide you the plumbing you need for a live thumb (now or future). I installed mine with a 1" line to one side and an additional 1 1/4" return back to the bottom of my hydraulic tank so I can run a hammer on it. 3/4" lines should be adequate unless your looking for higher flow.
Whoa there cowboy. I believe the OP is wanting to add a bucket coupler, not auxiliary plumbing.

To the OP, you need one of these and a bunch of 1/4 hose, fittings, adapters, zip ties, and a small manifold welded to the stick.
Screenshot_20251119_114030_eBay.jpgScreenshot_20251119_114225_Chrome.jpg
 

Chiefdug

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Messages
62
Location
Nanoose bay BC
Occupation
Retired Fire Chief- Full time excavating contractor
Whoa there cowboy. I believe the OP is wanting to add a bucket coupler, not auxiliary plumbing.

To the OP, you need one of these and a bunch of 1/4 hose, fittings, adapters, zip ties, and a small manifold welded to the stick.
View attachment 351507View attachment 351508
Fair enough, I was multitaksing at the time and missunderstood, I was thinking hydraulic coupler. 1763572350838.png
 
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