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Bushes & Bulkheads

Hydraulic bulkhead fittings and bushes for BSP pneumatic and hydraulic systems. Bulkhead fittings are used to pass a fluid or air line through a panel, bulkhead, or mounting plate: the fitting body locks through the aperture with a locknut, creating a sealed through-wall connection point. BSP bushes are used to reduce or adapt thread sizes within a circuit, typically converting from a larger bore fitting to a smaller port.

The range covers male-to-female reducing bushes, hex bushes, and through-panel bulkhead adaptors in common BSP sizes. Brass versions suit most general hydraulic and pneumatic applications; steel versions are specified for higher-pressure hydraulic systems. Check the pressure rating and thread size carefully against your system requirements before ordering.

  • REF #1746

    BSPP Steel Locknut

    BSPP Steel Locknut

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    £1.92 INC VAT
    £1.60 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1680

    NPT Male x NPT Female Hydraulic Bush

    NPT Male x NPT Female Hydraulic Bush

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    £8.32 INC VAT
    £6.93 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1673

    NPT Male x BSPP Female Hydraulic Bush

    NPT Male x BSPP Female Hydraulic Bush

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    £9.31 INC VAT
    £7.76 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1747

    Metric Steel Locknut

    Metric Steel Locknut

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    £2.98 INC VAT
    £2.48 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1644

    BSPP Male x BSPP Male Bulkhead complete with Locknut 60° Cone

    BSPP Male x BSPP Male Bulkhead complete with Locknut 60° Cone

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    £10.69 INC VAT
    £8.91 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1675

    BSPP Male 60° Cone x BSPP Fixed Female Hydraulic Bush

    BSPP Male 60° Cone x BSPP Fixed Female Hydraulic Bush

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    £4.73 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1734

    Metric Male x Metric Male Bulkhead complete with Locknut

    Metric Male x Metric Male Bulkhead complete with Locknut

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    £13.46 INC VAT
    £11.22 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1674

    BSPT Male x BSPP Female Hydraulic Bush

    BSPT Male x BSPP Female Hydraulic Bush

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    £9.31 INC VAT
    £7.76 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1676

    BSPP Male 60° Cone x NPT Fixed Female Hydraulic Bush

    BSPP Male 60° Cone x NPT Fixed Female Hydraulic Bush

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    £9.77 INC VAT
    £8.14 EXC VAT

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  • REF #1733

    BSPP Male x BSPP Male Extended Bulkhead 60° Cone complete with Locknut

    BSPP Male x BSPP Male Extended Bulkhead 60° Cone complete with Locknut

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    £19.80 INC VAT
    £16.50 EXC VAT

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Bulkhead fittings and bushes: what they do and when to use them

Bulkhead fittings solve a specific installation problem: getting a fluid or air line through a solid panel without a loose hose running around the edge. The fitting body is sized to pass through a drilled aperture in the panel. A locknut on the back face clamps the fitting against the panel face, leaving a threaded connection point on each side for hose tails, tube fittings or adaptors. The result is a clean, fixed through-wall connection that does not move under pressure or vibration.

Reducing bushes serve a different function. They are used inside a circuit to adapt between port sizes where a valve, actuator or pump has a larger port than the line size you are running. A hex bush, with its hexagonal body, is the standard choice for hydraulic work because it allows proper torque application with a spanner. A plain or knurled reducing bush suits lighter pneumatic applications where the installation torque is lower.

Material selection matters on both types. Brass fittings suit most general pneumatic and low-to-medium-pressure hydraulic systems. Steel fittings are specified for higher-pressure hydraulic circuits where the wall thickness and material strength of brass would be insufficient. If you are unsure which material rating applies to your system, check the working pressure against the fitting's stated rating before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hydraulic bulkhead fitting?

A bulkhead fitting is designed to pass a hydraulic or pneumatic line through a panel, partition or mounting plate while maintaining a sealed, mechanically secure connection. The fitting body passes through a drilled hole in the panel; a locknut on the rear face clamps it in place. This creates a fixed connection point that accepts hose or tube on either side without routing the hose through the panel itself.

What is a BSP bush used for?

A BSP bush is a solid adaptor with a male thread on the outside and a female thread on the inside, used to bridge two different port sizes within a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit. Where a valve, pump port or cylinder has a larger port than the fitting you need to connect, a bush reduces the port down to the required size.

What is the difference between a hex bush and a reducing bush?

A hex bush has a hexagonal body that allows spanner engagement for tightening, giving a positive mechanical grip during installation. A reducing bush is typically cylindrical and turned in by hand or with a suitable wrench. Both adapt between different thread sizes.

Can bulkhead fittings be used in high-pressure hydraulic systems?

Steel bulkhead fittings in this range are rated for hydraulic pressures typical of industrial systems. Check the specific pressure rating of the fitting against your system's working and peak pressure before installing. For very high-pressure applications, confirm the fitting specification with our team on 01282 604002.

Are bulkhead fittings available in different thread sizes?

Yes. Bulkhead fittings in this range are available in a range of BSP thread sizes. The thread size determines both the fitting size through the panel and the port size for hose connection on either side. Measure the port size needed at both the panel side and the hose connection side before ordering.