Comparison CW against Symmetric standard
CW-standard (based on an original design by Verachtert) is a Quick Coupler type mainly used in the Netherlands and Belgium. Lately Symetrical couplers have started to gain market share also on these markets. Symmetrical Quick Couplers are sometime called S-type couplers.
CW standard - advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Large installed base mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium
- Safe solution as the bucket can not be dropped once the front pin is in a safe postition
Disadvantages
- Low fuel efficiency as the CW coupler is significantly heavier than a Symmetrical coupler. (Example for a 16 ton wheeled excavator where the CW coupler is 87% heavier than the comparable Symmetrical coupler)
- Lower break out force thanks to higher building height on the CE coupler. This is only in part compensated by the difference of shape in the roof of the bucket.
- Not suitable for a sandwich tiltrotator
- No firm standard for angles between different bucket manufacturers.
Symmetrical standard - advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Growing international standard that is increasing its market share in many countries. It is also the only standard that is not “owned” by an excavator manufacturer or a quick coupler manufacturer.
- Safe solution with Steelwrist Front PinLock technology, that does not require sensor technology in order to protect the the operator and ground personnel against dropped buckets.
- Low fuel consumption, low weight and low building height.
- Maintained break out force thanks to low building height. Useful to know is that the symmetrical sandwich solution (quick coupler + sandwich tiltrotator) has a lower building hight in total that a directmounted tiltrotator with Verachtert.
- The tiltrotatorn is optimized to be able to use the gripper cassette on the tiltrotator as option.
- Often cheaper to buy than CW standard
- Easy to convert buckets to a Symmetrical bucket but welding on a simple attachment bracket on the old bucket.
Disadvantages
- Smaller installed based on tiltrotators especially in the Netherlands and Belgium.