Opico Skidster or sherpa mini loaders

[AHPP]

23 hours ago, doobin said:

Accumulator. Stores hydraulic oil at pressure, used to supply pressure to the servo levers when the machine is off so you can still lower the boom etc in the event of an engine failure.

 

There isn't one on a Sherpa.

Yeah, that. The thing I was trying to tell you might be wrong with something of yours a few weeks ago. Because I’m obviously the one to offer the other one advice on hydraulics out of the two of us.

Edited Wednesday at 16:00 by AHPP

[Blah]

On 17/06/2025 at 12:34, doobin said:

I've changed the quick connectors from the original to top quality (Hombury). which made a good difference but didn't totally solve it.

Not just me then, as I'm also on a Sherpa 100 - well remembered.

 

Changing to Hombury quick connectors... what's involved? Replace the whole hose, or just the connector bit? What do I need to know about sizes to purchase?

[NJA]

6 hours ago, Blah said:

Not just me then, as I'm also on a Sherpa 100 - well remembered.

 

Changing to Hombury quick connectors... what's involved? Replace the whole hose, or just the connector bit? What do I need to know about sizes to purchase?

Hydraulic fittings are measured by inside hose dia(!!) in imperial.  I'd reckon on these small loaders being 3/8" or 1/2".  Same size fitting just different thread size.  They come with a female bsp thread but you can get a male to male adapter for a quid or so if needed.

As a side note be interested how you get on if you're using Holmbury, they're not the fitting they once were.  Was made by a different manufacturer in Europe now they've moved to China the quality has dropped (I think).  Although they insist nothing has changed.  Manuli for the absolute best.

[doobin]

12 hours ago, NJA said:

Hydraulic fittings are measured by inside hose dia(!!) in imperial.  I'd reckon on these small loaders being 3/8" or 1/2".  Same size fitting just different thread size.  They come with a female bsp thread but you can get a male to male adapter for a quid or so if needed.

As a side note be interested how you get on if you're using Holmbury, they're not the fitting they once were.  Was made by a different manufacturer in Europe now they've moved to China the quality has dropped (I think).  Although they insist nothing has changed.  Manuli for the absolute best.

I didn't realise that about Holmbury! Bastards!

 

Hydraulic fittings are often referred to as '3/8' or '1/2' body but this is a terrible way of doing things and it drives me nuts that people do. Basically, no part of a '3/8" body' quick fitting measures at 3/8". The thread may indeed be 3/8" bsp, but it could just as easily be 1/2" bsp, metric 12L, or 7/8 JIC on the same fitting!

 

Two main standards are used to ID the body- or rather, should be used. Even buying from 'hydraulic specialists' I've had the wrong thing sent. These standards are ISO and DN.

 

For a Sherpa you need to ask for a pair of DN06/ISO10 couplers with a 3/8bsp thread.

[AHPP]

Glad it’s not just me who finds the whole thing impenetrable. It’s what keeps you going down to (expensive) trade counters and asking for one of these please. The bloke still got it wrong last time. At least this particular trade counter I can cycle to. 

[AHPP]

Can’t we just have one system…

 

 

 

 

[NJA]

19 hours ago, doobin said:

I didn't realise that about Holmbury! Bastards!

 

Hydraulic fittings are often referred to as '3/8' or '1/2' body but this is a terrible way of doing things and it drives me nuts that people do. Basically, no part of a '3/8" body' quick fitting measures at 3/8". The thread may indeed be 3/8" bsp, but it could just as easily be 1/2" bsp, metric 12L, or 7/8 JIC on the same fitting!

 

Two main standards are used to ID the body- or rather, should be used. Even buying from 'hydraulic specialists' I've had the wrong thing sent. These standards are ISO and DN.

 

For a Sherpa you need to ask for a pair of DN06/ISO10 couplers with a 3/8bsp thread.

In fairness a sherpa isn't a 90t machine with a 5ton demolition shear, so you may well not run into any issues

[doobin]

38 minutes ago, NJA said:

In fairness a sherpa isn't a 90t machine with a 5ton demolition shear, so you may well not run into any issues

That’s the odd thing- as mentioned in the posts above, there is no reason it should give issues! A direct lever on the spool block to actuate the aux. Yet it does, and I can’t work out why. 

[Blah]

Completely bewildering, the world of hydraulic sizing and standards.

 

Looks like some of these connectors are designed to be connected under (some) pressure. For example: https://www.holmbury.com/product/hcp-series/. I wonder if that might help us @doobin

[AHPP]

I saw a little video the other day of some pressure releasing ones on a full size tracked skidsteer in the states. Those quick grips with the forked jaws look good (and universal) too. Expensive though.