Brands compatible with Hurst.

[Menlo715]

We have a set of Hurst tools now and are buying another set of tools. Are there any other brands that will work with Hurst worth considering.

[KAPNKRNCH]

ResQtec
TNT
Champion

[hrtrescue10]

There are a ton of posts on this. BUT, once again.
No matter what any salesman tells you, NOTHING is compatible. If you have Hurst, stay with it, or buy a complete new system. Just because it's 5500psi, it is not the same. Different flows, different check valves, different safety valves, and foremost, you lose all NFPA compliance by mixing, therefore you open a huge can of worms, or worse yet, your checkbook, if there is a mishap.

Even if you buy hurst, keep the systems separate, that makes it so much easier and cheaper if there is a problem with one, you don't have to worry about two pumps, two spreaders etc being infected. .

[THEENGINEGOES]

There are a ton of posts on this. BUT, once again.
No matter what any salesman tells you, NOTHING is compatible. If you have Hurst, stay with it, or buy a complete new system. Just because it's 5500psi, it is not the same. Different flows, different check valves, different safety valves, and foremost, you lose all NFPA compliance by mixing, therefore you open a huge can of worms, or worse yet, your checkbook, if there is a mishap.

Even if you buy hurst, keep the systems separate, that makes it so much easier and cheaper if there is a problem with one, you don't have to worry about two pumps, two spreaders etc being infected. .



Not true. We run Hurst and ResQtec. Same fittings , valves , fluid etc.
Been running them both for a while WITH NO PROBLEMS.

[hrtrescue10]

Ok, a little common sense here.
I did not say they would not hook up. You can put fittings of the same kind on anything. You can put 10,500 psi fittings on a hurst spreader, it'll hook up to an amkus pump, but hopefully you get the picture.
The internal wear and tear, heat build up from different flows through different sized fluid passages and valves, all of that is the issue. You may not have had one yet, you may get lucky and not ever, but why throw an extra bit of danger into an already dangerous job? These things we use are scientifically engineered, precision pieces of equipment, just a little different than screwing an elkhart nozzle on an akron valve.
TNT, Holmatro, Hurst, etc. pay engineers lots of money to make components that work optimally and safely together. A few salesmen will sell you anything, a few companies will offer you anything. But, they don't have to stand behind you in court when you have KNOWINGLY allowed a non NFPA compliant system or piece of equipment to be used, when a compliant alternative was readily available. This is even more the case when a patient is injured by a blown seal or ruptured cylinder.
Sorry to say man, you are a little wrong on this one, I have sat through the depositions and the lawyers love this kind of stuff. The manufacturers have very little when it comes to liability, it is up to you to prove there was a problem with the construction or workmanship, and when you have hooked it up to something other than what it was designed for, you better just give up on that one.
Warranty is a whole other issue. The manufacturer claiming "no if's an's or but's" is already battling departments over repairs, or should I say the departments are battling. They said they would cover their own equipment, but the other manufacturers have said no.

What's the big deal, if you like hurst, stay with it. If you like something else, get it. But have separate systems, it only makes sense.

[flamewalker25]

I would strongly advise to get an answer straight from the horse's mouth on this one. Contact Hurst directly and get their advise. I was previously told by my regional Hurst manager that as long as you use Hurst fluid in your power unit, be it Res-Q-Tec or whatever, then you should be ok. Just to CYA call Hurst.

[RoaddoggAK]

We went from our old Hurst setups to Phoenix a couple of years ago. From my understanding, (I wasn't involved in the purchase of these) Phoenix runs a different fluid than Hurst (both at 5500psi), but you can tell the factory that you want to use the phosphate ester that Hurst runs and they will switch it out. We've been running our old Hurst equipment on our second out engine with a new Phoenix power plant and have had no problems whatsoever.

[hrtrescue10]

wow.....
The mentality, or complete lack of amazes me sometimes.........

I guess that is why some are meant to be leaders, and some are destined to ride backwards and drag heavy stuff around until they are old and bitter, and blame it all on someone else...........

[THEENGINEGOES]

wow.....
The mentality, or complete lack of amazes me sometimes.........

I guess that is why some are meant to be leaders, and some are destined to ride backwards and drag heavy stuff around until they are old and bitter, and blame it all on someone else...........



Comments like yours are why I seldom post on these forums. The original poster asked a question. I , along with others replied based on our thoughts suggestions and experiences. Why must you put others down , even if you think we are dead wrong ? Why the need for sarcastic comments ? You must be a real treat to have around the firehouse. If your comments above are a sample of how you talk to your crew then I feel sorry for them.

We did a TON of homework before we decided to buy our Resqtec cutter and use it along with our hurst equipment. It was not a decision that was taken lightly. We are comfortable with what we did. Could it turn out to be wrong ? Sure. But we don't think so it will based on the research we did. If I was concerned about all of the potential lawsuits out there , I would have stopped riding fire trucks a long time ago.

And by the way , I stopped riding "backwards" in 1995. Even though I ride up front , I don't have a problem with "dragging heavy stuff around" if the situation calls for it. Where I'm from you check your ego at the door. You should try it sometime.

[Rescue101]

We've had this arguement before. Extrication tool companies are realizing that dollar bills are getting tight and fire companies may need only a new tool or two not a whole system. ResQtek and Champion,to name two, will produce AND SUPPORT(factory)tools to work on Hurst or anybody elses system.As far as litigation,I too have been thru depositions mucho lost time due to court appearances(the court's reimbursement DOES NOT even come close to my hourly).MY ADVISE;contact your tool company and the upgrade you are considering.You might be surprised at what you find. I'm NOT in agreement with HRT10 and my head is well above the sand. He's entitled to his opinion which may have been true in days past. Not necessarily true now. Consult your mfg. T.C.

[MetalMedic]

As was mentioned, Champion makes it a point to promote their tools as being compatible with other brands. It is also worth mentioning that the Phoenix Rescue Tool was designed by the same engineer that designed the first few generations of Hurst tools, so there is a pretty good chance that they will play well together.

You need to weigh your options and talk to the tool reps to see what the pros and cons are as far as how they will support you or abandon you if you mix tools. Obviously you need to keep with low pressure systems and the fluids are a CRITICAL component that you need to be consistent with.

The bottom line is that all low pressure hydraulic rescue tools operate using the same closed system principals of using fluid movement to push and pull on a piston that operates the hydraulic cylinder. The fluid is very stupid and does not care who made the valves or seals. Your mission is to find a company that will back its product and give you support for your entire system. My gut feeling is that Hurst will not do this, but you may find that the company you buy your new tool from will.

As for NFPA compliance, it is possible that your Hurst tools were made before the NFPA standards were placed in effect. Without actually seeing your set-up, no one here can give you a definative answer to that possibility. However, a sales rep should be able to help you determine those issues.

[canonrescue1]

"The bottom line is that all low pressure hydraulic rescue tools operate using the same closed system principals of using fluid movement to push and pull on a piston that operates the hydraulic cylinder. The fluid is very stupid and does not care who made the valves or seals."

Possibly the most uneducated, ill-informed and irresponsible statement I have seen written in a long time. Before the fire service I went to technical school and worked for a green tractor company, on hydraulics, among other things.
"Valves and seals" are not the issue. It is flow rates, pressure settings, borings that can be different in the .00001 of 1 inch range.
Yeah, it might hook up and work, for a while, then it might blow up or lock up or leak all the time.

I checked back and there seems to be many discussions on this issue, and the same folks saying the same things every 6-8 months.

[Rescue101]

Yep,and I'm not sure I'd be using "green" tractors as my yardstick on "proper"hydraulics as some of their modis operandis is about as screwed as any I've seen in the industry.As you might have guessed,we've repaired a few.Everything on my brother in laws farm is red,they have a much better grip on how to keep things working.That .00001 difference isn't going to cause a system to explode unless it's causing a bore or valve to hang.Even green will work with a pump that's only .001 worn.Having worked around hydraulics for awhile I tend to disagree with your assessment.Technically,in a purist world,you would be correct.In practical application however,you'll find that most equipment isn't quite that fussy.Flow rates can and have been changed on equipment for years with no detrimental effect.Just be sure the return can handle the full output.Now this was on yellow dozers not green tractors but the end result was very satisfactory.As long as the two tool companies I mentioned in my previous post know what your using for equipment,they will adjust their tool to work on that system.Correct oil type,seal type,and pressure/flow. T.C.

[MetalMedic]

As long as the two tool companies I mentioned in my previous post know what your using for equipment,they will adjust their tool to work on that system.Correct oil type,seal type,and pressure/flow. T.C.

Thanks T.C.! You saved me a lot of talking until I turned blue. I couldn't let someone who has posted twice on this forum call me uneducated, ill-informed and irresponsible without some kind of reply... but you pretty much summed it up so I can go back to enjoying an adult beverage while I admire my hydraulics maintenance technician certificate on my wall! :D