Swivels, also known as rotary unions, hydraulic swivels, swivel joints, and live swivels are used in applications where a constant transmission of fluid power from a stationary source to a rotating source is required without cross-contamination or leakage.
Light and heavy-duty applications use swivels to allow for 360-degree rotation while preserving each hydraulic hose from getting tangled with other components in the machine structure. In return, mechanical stresses that would result from hose twisting, bending, and stretching can be relieved, the hose life is enhanced, and machine downtime is avoided.
Swivels are engineered to operate at a wide range of temperature and pressure ratings across a variety of conditions and environments. Based on industry requirements, a swivel is designed to have multiple fluid ports and hose fittings to transfer fluid simultaneously at various rotational speeds.
Typically, as the number of ports increases, the body size increases, and the speed of a swivel will be lower. Internal ball bearings, seals, and other components preserve a swivel's function to withstand high pressure and temperature range.
Features of SlewMaster hydraulic swivels include:
When users apply the recommended design and operation requirements, hydraulic swivels offer long life spans with minimal machine downtime.
A rotary union or hydraulic swivel offers many benefits for machines. These components:
At SlewMaster, our technicians will work closely with your team to understand your project needs. With the information we gather, we can design a hydraulic swivel that accommodates your flow rate, speed and pressure requirements.
Swivels are used in many industries where applications require 360-degree rotation of equipment with. Occasionally, a swivel will complement a slew ring or slew drive. Possible applications for these components include:
The most common material used to manufacture swivels is carbon-steel, while stainless steel is also an option. Significant design and space considerations must be given for swivels and their fittings. Based on application requirements, swivels may have up to 9 different fluid ports with hose fittings.
Although subject to axial and side loads, swivels operate under high internal pressure as a direct result of fluid power within. The service life of swivels is heavily dependent on its pressure rating and user handling. When selecting a swivel, a user must identify the following:
With the project specifications you provide, SlewMaster can offer the best solutions that suit you application. In most cases, our standard in-stock swivels can be modified to fit into your application, and if required, our team can provide custom-built swivels that suit your needs.
Further, Slewmaster can also cross-reference other manufacturers' swivels and provide equivalent solutions. Rebuild and swivel seal replacement kits are available upon request to avoid any operating downtime. Contact us today for your hydraulic swivel fitting needs!
