Can't get FEL hoses to connect

[davatk]

After having my FEL off of my B2630 and sitting in the garage for about a week, I went to re-connect it today, and was unable to get 2 of the hoses (Red & Blue) to connect. It appears as if the nipple, on the hose side is frozen up - maybe excess pressure ? Anyhow, I did tap on it a bit with a hammer and a pin, and when I heard the loader making weird noises, I figured I'd better check with you guys before I did any damage. Is this a common problem ? The last time I went to reconnect the loader it went back on like butter.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[bp fick]

Everyone will tell you that before unhooking your FEL. to rotate the joystick in a circle relieving all pressure from the system. I've heard that sometimes they still build a little expansion pressure if the sun can heat it up, just sitting there.

I don't know about a hammer, but a 16 penny nail or something to release that tit is needed. There is always one, it seems, and with me, it is the seemingly the last one to connect, or the one most difficult to reach.

 

[TripleR]

I have used whatever was handy to relieve the pressure on one of our units, but don't remove it anymore. I think JOHNTHOMAS has loosened one of the fittings to relieve pressure.

I always relieve pressure on my system by rotating the FEL lever with the engine stopped before attaching or reattaching the FEL and have had no problems so far.

Short answer, relieve the pressure and it should slip right on.

 

[crbr]

I have used whatever was handy to relieve the pressure on one of our units, but don't remove it anymore. I think JOHNTHOMAS has loosened one of the fittings to relieve pressure.

I always relieve pressure on my system by rotating the FEL lever with the engine stopped before attaching or reattaching the FEL and have had no problems so far.

Short answer, relieve the pressure and it should slip right on.

Re-start the machine, shut it down and toggle the FEL joystick in all four directions (as you have indicated). That should relieve the pressure.

Secondly, I have read here of folks taking a small machine bold (with the blunt end), covering the quick attach port with a rag, and popping the top of the bolt head to move the valve ball. I can't say this is the best way to do it but it does work.

 

[Will_C]

Find out what hydraulic line has the pressure, and just crack one of the fittings open until it weeps a little. I am always careful to rotate the joystick, but one time last fall...

Will

 

[newbury]

After having my FEL off of my B2630 and sitting in the garage for about a week, I went to re-connect it today, and was unable to get 2 of the hoses (Red & Blue) to connect. It appears as if the nipple, on the hose side is frozen up - maybe excess pressure ? Anyhow, I did tap on it a bit with a hammer and a pin, and when I heard the loader making weird noises, I figured I'd better check with you guys before I did any damage. Is this a common problem ? The last time I went to reconnect the loader it went back on like butter.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Noticed you posted at about 17:18 (5pm) from Va.
Warm day today.
If any of the hydraulics warmed up the pressure could be greater than it was when you disconnected. Either try it early in the a.m. when it's cooler or chill it down with a water bath/wash.

 

[coreshot]

Just take the hose and press the nipple against the side of your loader arm or something flat. It will spurt a little when you press the nipple, so don't get it in your eyes. It will hook right up then.

 

[davatk]

Just take the hose and press the nipple against the side of your loader arm or something flat. It will spurt a little when you press the nipple, so don't get it in your eyes. It will hook right up then.

Took a hammer and a machine bolt, and a rag, wrapped the rag around the end, put the machine bolt in the hole and gave it a couple of good whacks. Some fluid blew out, but it seemed to release the pressure, and then everything went right on. Thanks to all for the suggestions !

 

[brandoro]

Took a hammer and a machine bolt, and a rag, wrapped the rag around the end, put the machine bolt in the hole and gave it a couple of good whacks. Some fluid blew out, but it seemed to release the pressure, and then everything went right on. Thanks to all for the suggestions !

I did the same except used a pin punch. A fair bit of fluid spurted out but did the trick. Even though I shut the engine off and relieved the pressure before disconnecting it had too much pressure to reconnect. I believe this is because it was about -20C (0F) when I removed it and above freezing with the sun shining when I put the FEL back on. Just too much temperature difference.

 

[rglaser]

Took a hammer and a machine bolt, and a rag, wrapped the rag around the end, put the machine bolt in the hole and gave it a couple of good whacks. Some fluid blew out, but it seemed to release the pressure, and then everything went right on. Thanks to all for the suggestions !

Glad you got it back together. Suggestions of moving the FEL lever around a few times to releive pressure before disconnecting are good but if it is significantly warmer when you hook it back up you may still need to do the pressure releiving method.

edit: oops, I mean what brandoro said. Guess I should read all the replys before posting...

-Rob