Do not order an FT160 air leg by the family name alone. “FT160” covers multiple suffixes and configurations, and the suffix is part of the compatibility decision. PerfoMax’s current FT160 product page therefore requires the complete suffix, manufacturer, dimensional information, mounting interface, controls, and approved rock-drill pairing to be confirmed before quotation.
Public Secoroc documentation associates FT160A, FT160B, FT160C and FT170 with YT29A-type applications, while common YT28 references use FT160BC or FT160BD. Those pairings are useful for identifying the likely family, but they are reference pairings rather than proof that every manufacturer or revision is interchangeable. The controlled drawing, data sheet and written quotation for the exact supplied configuration must always take priority.
This guide is for mine, tunnel and quarry maintenance teams, distributors and procurement buyers who need to replace an air leg without creating an avoidable fit, reach or operating mismatch.
Quick Compatibility Check: YT28 vs YT29A Air-Leg Families
| Rock drill | Common reference air-leg family | What the suffix can change | What to confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|---|
| YT28 | FT160BC / FT160BD in common industry references | Working envelope, feed stroke, overall length and exact interface by maker/revision | Full suffix, manufacturer, collapsed/extended length, feed stroke, mounting and controls |
| YT29A | FT160A / FT160B / FT160C; Secoroc documentation also lists FT170 | Length and feed range for different working conditions, plus maker-specific interface details | Full suffix, manufacturer/revision, geometry, mounting, controls and approved pairing |
| Unknown replacement | Do not infer from “FT160” alone | Potentially all compatibility-critical dimensions and interfaces | Identify the old nameplate/suffix and compare the controlled drawings before substitution |
Key rule: matching the family name is only the first filter. Matching the exact suffix and the approved drill/air-leg combination is what prevents a procurement error.
Why the FT160 Suffix Matters More Than the Family Name
An air leg is not simply a pneumatic cylinder that can be selected by bore size. In an air-leg rock-drill system, it supports and feeds the drill toward the face while the rock drill performs percussion and rotation. Compatibility therefore depends on several linked variables:
- Working geometry: retracted length, extended length and feed stroke determine whether the unit fits the heading and provides the required working reach.
- Mounting interface: the leg must attach correctly to the intended rock drill. A family-name match does not prove that the attachment geometry is the same.
- Controls and pneumatic interface: hose routing, feed control and connections must match the approved configuration.
- Feed behavior: the air leg must provide appropriate support and feed under the operating conditions specified by the equipment documentation.
- Spare-parts identity: seals and replacement parts should be tied to the exact suffix/manufacturer/revision rather than assumed from “FT160.”
This is why two legs can look similar—or even share a nominal cylinder-bore figure in reference tables—without being safe substitutes.
Reference Dimensions Show Why FT160A, B, C, BC and BD Are Not the Same
The following values are included only to show how materially the suffix can change the working envelope. They come from public Secoroc/manual reproductions and an industry technical table. They are not PerfoMax quotation specifications and must not be used as the acceptance criteria for a PerfoMax order. Supplier revision and manufacturer can change the controlled dimensions.
| Reference suffix | Retracted length | Reference feed stroke | Reference bore | Common reference pairing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT160A | 1668 mm | 1338 mm | 65 mm | YT29A family reference |
| FT160B | 1428 mm | 1098 mm | 65 mm | YT29A family reference |
| FT160C | 1820 mm | 1490 mm | 65 mm | YT29A family reference |
| FT160BC | 1800 mm | 1365 mm | 65 mm | YT28 reference in an industry table |
| FT160BD | 1400 mm | 965 mm | 65 mm | YT28 reference in an industry table |
The important procurement lesson is not the individual number. It is that the same “FT160” family label can cover very different lengths and feed strokes. A buyer who requests only “one FT160 air leg” has not yet provided enough information for a controlled substitution.
YT28 Air Leg Selection: Why FT160BC and FT160BD Need Exact Confirmation
Common public YT28 references pair the drill with FT160BC or FT160BD-type legs. Reference tables also show that BC and BD can differ substantially in working length and feed stroke. That means a choice between them should not be reduced to “long” versus “short” without first confirming that the exact manufacturer and revision approve the pairing.
For a YT28 replacement, collect these items before selecting the air leg:
- The exact YT28 manufacturer and data-sheet or manual revision.
- The full suffix from the existing air leg, not only “FT160.”
- Photos of the nameplate, mounting point, feed-control arrangement and hose connections.
- Retracted and extended length, plus feed stroke if the old documentation is unavailable.
- The working heading, expected support angle and available space.
- The pneumatic and hose requirements specified by the approved manual.
PerfoMax’s current YT28 air-leg rock drill page also treats the air-leg pairing as something that must follow the quoted supplier manual. That is the right level of control for replacement procurement.
YT29A Air Leg Selection: FT160A, FT160B and FT160C
A Secoroc YT29A operator-instruction reference explicitly lists FT160A, FT160B, FT160C and FT170 as pusher-leg options for different tunneling and working conditions. Within the FT160 group, reference dimensions show a practical reason for the variants: B is shorter in the cited table, C is longer, and A sits between them.
That does not mean a buyer should select only by reach. The exact leg still has to be approved for the quoted YT29A configuration, because manufacturer, interface, controls, seal arrangement and revision are part of the system.
For current PerfoMax supply, use the FT160-Series Pneumatic Air Legs model-matching page as the starting point, then confirm the requested suffix and controlled data sheet before quotation. If the rock drill is also being sourced, compare it with the current YT29A air-leg rock drill listing rather than assuming a legacy configuration.
Can FT160B Replace FT160BD, or FT160C Replace FT160BC?
Do not make that substitution from the suffix name, bore size or visual similarity alone. FT160B and FT160BD are different designations. Likewise, FT160C and FT160BC should not be treated as interchangeable simply because they belong to the same broad family.
Before any cross-suffix substitution, verify at least:
- approved rock-drill pairing for the exact manufacturer/revision;
- attachment and locking geometry;
- collapsed and extended length;
- feed stroke and required working envelope;
- feed-control and pneumatic connections;
- working pressure/thrust requirements stated by the supplier manual;
- replacement seal and spare-parts identification.
If those items cannot be confirmed, the correct procurement decision is to stop the substitution and obtain a controlled drawing or supplier confirmation.
7-Step FT160 Replacement and Procurement Workflow
- Identify the rock drill. Record model, manufacturer and document revision. “YT28” or “YT29A” alone is useful but not sufficient for a final substitute.
- Record the complete old air-leg designation. Photograph the nameplate and capture every suffix character.
- Document the interface. Photograph the mounting, lock assembly, controls and hose connections from multiple angles.
- Verify the geometry. If controlled documentation is unavailable, measure retracted/extended length and feed stroke only with the equipment safely depressurized and in accordance with the site procedure.
- Check the working envelope. Confirm heading height, drilling direction, support angle and any space constraint that makes a shorter or longer leg necessary.
- Confirm pneumatic requirements. Match the operating pressure, feed behavior, hose and lubrication arrangements to the applicable rock-drill and air-leg manuals.
- Approve the quotation basis. Require the written quotation and attached drawing/data sheet to state the exact suffix and approved drill pairing before shipment.
Common FT160 Procurement Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it creates risk | Better control |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering “FT160” with no suffix | The family includes materially different working geometries and pairings | Specify the complete suffix and manufacturer |
| Assuming a 65 mm reference bore means universal fit | Bore is only one variable; mounting, length, controls and approved pairing can differ | Compare the controlled interface and data sheet |
| Choosing the shortest or longest leg only by reach | Reach does not prove mechanical or pneumatic compatibility | Verify compatibility first, then optimize the working envelope |
| Using a competitor/manual reference dimension as the purchase specification | Manufacturer and revision can change the actual configuration | Use the quoted supplier drawing as the acceptance basis |
| Omitting the rock-drill manufacturer or revision | Model names can persist across different supplier configurations | Provide nameplate and documentation revision |
| Buying spare seals by “FT160” only | Parts identity can follow the exact suffix/revision | Match spare parts to the controlled parts list |
What to Send Before an FT160 RFQ
A high-quality RFQ should contain enough information to prevent the supplier from guessing. Send:
- rock-drill model, manufacturer and manual/data-sheet revision;
- existing air-leg full suffix and manufacturer;
- clear nameplate, mounting, control and connector photos;
- retracted length, extended length and feed stroke if known;
- required working direction, heading clearance and support angle;
- pneumatic hose/working-pressure information from the approved manual;
- quantity and spare-parts requirement;
- a request for the exact supplied suffix, controlled drawing/data sheet and approved drill pairing in the written quotation.
Browse the current PerfoMax Rock Drills collection for the related drill family, or request a technical quotation with the compatibility information above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which FT160 air leg fits a YT28 rock drill?
Common public references point to FT160BC and FT160BD for YT28-type configurations. Treat that as a family-level starting point, not final proof. PerfoMax requires the complete suffix, manufacturer, interface and approved supplier pairing to be confirmed in the quotation/manual.
Which FT160 air leg fits a YT29A?
A Secoroc YT29A operator-instruction reference lists FT160A, FT160B, FT160C and FT170 for different working conditions. PerfoMax’s current FT160 page also recognizes A/B/C and FT170 inquiry labels, but the exact maker and revision still need to be matched before supply.
Is FT160B the same as FT160BD?
No interchangeability should be assumed. They are different suffixes and appear in different reference pairings. Verify the full geometry, mounting, controls, pneumatic requirements and approved drill pairing before substitution.
Does the same cylinder bore prove two air legs are compatible?
No. A shared nominal bore figure does not establish mounting compatibility, feed stroke, overall length, control arrangement or approved drill pairing.
Should I simply choose the shortest air leg for a low heading?
No. First identify an air leg that is approved for the exact rock-drill configuration. Then use working-envelope requirements—including collapsed length, extension and feed stroke—to choose among compatible variants.
Technical Reference Basis
- Atlas Copco Secoroc YT29A Operator Instructions (public manual reproduction): YT29A pusher-leg family references and attachment/operating context.
- Secoroc FT160 Pusher Leg Operator’s Instructions and Spare Parts (public manual reproduction): FT160A/B/C reference dimensions and operating guidance.
- Industry FT160 technical table: reference BC/BD dimensions and common YT28 pairing. Used only as a comparison reference, not as a PerfoMax supplied specification.
Procurement note: external manual and industry values in this guide explain terminology and selection logic. They do not replace the exact supplier drawing or written PerfoMax quotation for the ordered batch.
Need the Correct FT160 Suffix?
If you are replacing an existing pusher leg, send PerfoMax the rock-drill model, old leg nameplate, full suffix, interface photos and working-envelope requirements. We can use that information to define the quotation basis without treating “FT160” as a universal fit. Request a quote.