What's new

Secret to putting push-lok fittings on

APW

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2013
Messages
863
Reaction score
381
Points
63
Location
South
After putting eight fittings on tonight I am give slam out. There has to be a secret or easier way or do they make a tool to do this?
 

MC3033

Active member
Joined
Dec 3, 2017
Messages
207
Reaction score
85
Points
28
Location
Midwest
What kind of push lock fittings are they? What type of material?

I’ve never had an issue putting one on. Taking them off is another thing
 

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,402
Reaction score
321
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
I put on 4 the other day and bruised the crap out of my palms. I put some cutting oil on the fittings first then press and turn, but it's still hard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: APW

APW

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2013
Messages
863
Reaction score
381
Points
63
Location
South
What kind of push lock fittings are they? What type of material?

I’ve never had an issue putting one on. Taking them off is another thing
They are Parker push-lok. The hose is a rubber continental for low pressure.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,933
Points
113
Location
Texas
Hot water. I keep an old saucepan at the wash and heat a couple inches of water with a torch to almost boiling. Soak the hose in it for 15 seconds and it'll slip right on.

The local Parker distributor makes hoses to order and they said use alcohol as a lubricant along with a special device to force the hose over the fitting. $400 later and we had about 12 hoses assembled and a bent handle on a machine we could no longer use.
 

pgrzes

Active member
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Messages
876
Reaction score
32
Points
28
Location
S.E. Pa.
We will usually use a little heat in the winter time. I always use the wood on the end of a bench or stair rail and put the fitting against the wood two hands and my beer gut, spit on it and slam it in there wiggling back and forth a bit. Works pretty well on up to 3/4" stuff. Never had a complaint!! Bigger stuff gets tough! Might need a better lube and more foreplay I mean heat!! Thats how the person at our local hose shop showed me how its done! I wont say if they were a he or a she!! LOL Enjoy.
 

APW

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2013
Messages
863
Reaction score
381
Points
63
Location
South
Try the hot water method first. You'll be surprised how well it works.
I used a butane torch to heat the water and the fittings slid in like a champ. Thanks for the tip!
 

Greg Pack

Wash Weenie
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
4,095
Reaction score
1,716
Points
113
Location
Hoover, Alabama
The 3/4" and 1" push lock fittings are really tough. New hose in the smaller sizes is not too bad, but once it gets old and stiff it becomes extremely difficult. I have done the hot water method and carry in a thermos for a few fittings when I'm anticipating doing a couple. I'm tempted to buy the hose press, Jegs sells it and you can get discount coupons if you're patient. I'm about to rehose a water wizard and there's tons of push lock fittings on them.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,933
Points
113
Location
Texas
Ok, how do you take them off?
You have to cut the hose, which you have to do carefully if you plan to reuse the fitting. I prefer to cut a slice off the side of the hose, cutting toward the yellow ring, and only cut through the nylon reinforcement, then bend the hose to the side and it should slip off. If you just cut into the hose with a sharp blade and score the barb, it will leak.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,933
Points
113
Location
Texas
I'm about to rehose a water wizard and there's tons of push lock fittings on them.
I use push-lock fittings with polybraid hose all the time whenever there's no pressure on it. It's a lot less expensive, and a lot easier to get the hose on. Kleen-Rite sells it in several colors which for some reason is even cheaper than the clear.
 

Blanco

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2021
Messages
307
Reaction score
290
Points
63
Use a cigar torch and heat the hose a little. It will slide right on.
 

Allen

New member
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
27
Reaction score
12
Points
3
Location
Georgia

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,933
Points
113
Location
Texas
I would think that a lubricant might not only break down the hose, but would weaken the "lock" on the barb.
 

Greg Pack

Wash Weenie
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
4,095
Reaction score
1,716
Points
113
Location
Hoover, Alabama
I often try various lubricants when I have trouble with old hose and can't really recall a problem with hoses popping off.. But if the hose is new and pliable I don' have any issue with 1/2" or 3/8" hose without lube. It's just the larger hose, or old hose (making a repair)that I have issues. I do clamp fittings on the gantry subject to a lot of movement like on the wall boom.
 

Allen

New member
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
27
Reaction score
12
Points
3
Location
Georgia
The Oatley pipe lubricant is water based and is safe to use on hose. Works better than dish washing detergent which I have used in a tight. The pipe lubricant is mainly used for lubing the gaskets on water and sewer pipe.
I’ve used for years and even more now as my grip is not what it used to be.
Never had a problem with fittings coming apart but don’t let it spill in your toolbox.
Makes a slimy mess!
 
Top