Blew a Hyrdaulic HARD Line!

[avc8130]

I took the L39 over to a buddy's house to help him run some leader drains and dig a dry well. I got done with 1 trench and started on the dry well. About 5' down and 6' x 4' and suddenly I was in a cloud of smoke with the smell of burnt hydraulic fluid!

I limped the machine back onto the trailer pouring hydraulic fluid all over and brought it back to the shop.

I pulled the right fender and found the problem instantly. The pressure line from the swing pump to the valve body failed right at a mount. It is rusty and must have chafed the paint off and started rusting.

I called the local Kubota shop, $95 for the line. The REAL unfortunate part is that it runs from just under the throttle pedal the pump to under the left side of the seat at the valve body. It looks like it is going to be a ROYAL pain to replace.

ac

 

[lhansman]

Sorry to hear about your trouble ac. How old is your L39?

Lauren

 

[Egon]

Can you use a hose for replacement?

 

[avc8130]

Sorry to hear about your trouble ac. How old is your L39?

Lauren

I think it is about 6 years old, 655 hours. The line runs through a clamp and then elbows. Right where it comes out of the clamp is all rusty and where it blew through. I think the clamp wore the paint off and left a spot vulnerable.

ac

 

[avc8130]

Can you use a hose for replacement?

I'm not sure how reliably. The pump side has a 3 bolt o-ring flange on it. The valve body side is a simple flare.

ac

 

[avc8130]

The big question is: Is $100 worth having a brand new line to put in, or do I ask around to try to find someone to repair it? It looks like just about everything has to come off from the steering column back to the backhoe to change this line.

ac

 

[OrangeBeast]

I guess the questions you need to ask yourself is "Do I have the tools, time and know how?" If so why not do it yourself.

 

[Egon]

Another option may be to reroute the line.

 

[wwinter]

NAPA does a great job with new hoses with higher ratings.

 

[Cpjlube]

Anyone who is willing to partially disassemble a tractor can certainly make the hard line. If its a hole in the line brazing may be an option. Or find an accessible area and splice the line. A flaring tool and fittings and you could make it a two piece line. If the end line fittings are still good, just reuse them on a new piece of line.
It's only 600 hours so I understand wanting to keep the tractor in tip top shape. Just can't see buying a hard line from a dealer unless the flares are hard to reproduce or the line is odd sized.

Chuck