2008 JD 5303 With JD 522 FEL Hose Issue

deere5105 · Mar 5, 2022

This afternoon while working on a creek crossing my rear implement drug and caused me to loose traction. As I have done many times in the past, I used the bucket curl function to help push myself out of the bog. I noticed something spraying on my right arm from somewhere under where the three point lift controls are located. I determined it was hydraulic oil. Once out of the bog the spray stopped. Even when going through all of the loader functions. Investigation revealed an area where some of the hoses are touching the bottom of the right fender. A couple of the hoses had some abrasion and one felt like a steel wire may be exposed.

My question is if it is possible or practical to repair or reinforce these hoses or is it best to simply replace them all that may be

deere5105 · Mar 5, 2022

deere5105 said:
This afternoon while working on a creek crossing my rear implement drug and caused me to loose traction. As I have done many times in the past, I used the bucket curl function to help push myself out of the bog. I noticed something spraying on my right arm from somewhere under where the three point lift controls are located. I determined it was hydraulic oil. Once out of the bog the spray stopped. Even when going through all of the loader functions. Investigation revealed an area where some of the hoses are touching the bottom of the right fender. A couple of the hoses had some abrasion and one felt like a steel wire may be exposed.

My question is if it is possible or practical to repair or reinforce these hoses or is it best to simply replace them all that may be

This picture wouldn’t load earlier. This is the area where the hoses contact the bottom of the fender.

LD1 · Mar 5, 2022

Going through the functions probably didn't generate the pressure you were when you were trying to get unstuck. So you couldn't replicate the issue.

I'd replace them all that have the steel braid showing while you are in there.

Just be careful. High pressure oil through a pinhole in a hose is very dangerous. The oil can pierce and inject your skin and is VERY bad. I cannot stress that enough

deere5105 · Mar 5, 2022

I wondered if that weren’t the case with the pressure.

Is it as simple as breaking each end loose and carrying to a shop that makes hoses? Can the fittings be salvaged or are the common enough most shops have them on hand?

Smokeydog · Mar 6, 2022

Good hydraulic shop will make what you need. Rarely reuse fittings. There are better tougher hose material and also hose protection covers. Good hydraulic shop will have options. I’ve use external metal spring and nylon sleeves to protect hoses.

LD1 · Mar 6, 2022

deere5105 said:
I wondered if that weren’t the case with the pressure.

Is it as simple as breaking each end loose and carrying to a shop that makes hoses? Can the fittings be salvaged or are the common enough most shops have them on hand?

No the fittings aren't reusable because they are crimped onto the hose.

Zebrafive · Mar 7, 2022

I would reroute the new hoses to the inside of the fender. Probably get some clamps to keep them off the edge of the fender.

deere5105 · Mar 7, 2022

Zebrafive said:
I would reroute the new hoses to the inside of the fender. Probably get some clamps to keep them off the edge of the fender.

Good suggestion.

deere5105 · Mar 7, 2022

Looked up all three hoses on JD Parts and pricing online. Looks like around $100 each. Plan to check locally to see pricing to make hoses.

Farmer495 · Mar 7, 2022

Take old hoses off and have hyd shop make new ones. Since you know the wear point, wrap the new hoses in that place.

deere5105 · Mar 12, 2022

Was able to speak with parts department earlier in the week. I had already looked up the hoses on JD Parts site. They showed an optional hose I wasn’t seeing. Emailed pictures so they could verify which one I needed. Picked them up this morning. Took couple hours to swap them out. Some a little hard to access. Once off found places on each hose where it had rubbed through or something nicked the hose where the steel was visible. Glad went ahead and replaced them all. Going back was able to lay the hoses on top of the hydraulic oil filter where they will be up and out of the way. Should be much better than where they were. Attached are pictures of old hoses and invoice. Curious what it would have cost sourcing locally and if all of the fittings would have lined up exactly like the OEM ones. The OEM were angled correctly on each end for a perfect fit. Appreciate the feedback and suggestions.

Zebrafive · Mar 13, 2022

If buying locally, a hydraulics shop the makes hoses could duplicate exactly what you have. You bring them the old hose to replicate. They would note how the two 90°s on the first hose are "clocked" and make sure they crimp the 90°s on the same orientation.
If buying online, lengths are by the foot, so if you have a 44" hose you would have to buy a 48" hose (4'). Or if you have a 62" hose, you will have to buy a 72" hose. You would also have to buy the angled adapters. Most come only with straight fittings.

deere5105 · Mar 13, 2022

Zebrafive said:
If buying locally, a hydraulics shop the makes hoses could duplicate exactly what you have. You bring them the old hose to replicate. They would note how the two 90°s on the first hose are "clocked" and make sure they crimp the 90°s on the same orientation.
If buying online, lengths are by the foot, so if you have a 44" hose you would have to buy a 48" hose (4'). Or if you have a 62" hose, you will have to buy a 72" hose. You would also have to buy the angled adapters. Most come only with straight fittings.

Got you. This was my first encounter with hydraulic hoses.

Had an issue once with the shaft that connects to the front to make the 4WD work. Got slipped up in a creek and front tires were across a buried log. Wound up this shaft rested on the log and bent. Believe the OEM part was around $1000. Contacted a heavy truck shop that did drivelines too and took it to them. Was as simple as measuring the length, cutting a piece of pipe, transferring the ends over to the new pipe/shaft and truing them so the shaft was balanced. Total around $200. The truck shop was a good find!

Zebrafive · Mar 14, 2022

deere5105 said:
Got you. This was my first encounter with hydraulic hoses.

Had an issue once with the shaft that connects to the front to make the 4WD work. Got slipped up in a creek and front tires were across a buried log. Wound up this shaft rested on the log and bent. Believe the OEM part was around $1000. Contacted a heavy truck shop that did drivelines too and took it to them. Was as simple as measuring the length, cutting a piece of pipe, transferring the ends over to the new pipe/shaft and truing them so the shaft was balanced. Total around $200. The truck shop was a good find!

Driveshaft/drive line shop can build almost any needed driveshaft. Easy for them when you have both ends and they just need to retube. In the past, I had truck driveshafts lengthened when lifting the truck. 4x4 truck, adding a lift kit.

deere5105 · Apr 17, 2022

Zebrafive said:
Driveshaft/drive line shop can build almost any needed driveshaft. Easy for them when you have both ends and they just need to retube. In the past, I had truck driveshafts lengthened when lifting the truck. 4x4 truck, adding a lift kit.

Couple weeks passed since replaced the three hoses. Only this one fitting leaks just above where mid-mount hoses connect near middle passenger side of tractor. Have removed fitting, cleaned good, reassembled and still leaks a little. Fitting is right.

Is there a trick to stopping this leak? Have read some mention of Teflon tape, but most recommend not using and even state isn’t needed. Thanks in advance.

Zebrafive · Apr 17, 2022

I would not use teflon tape. Does the fitting use O-ring(s)? If so replace them.

deere5105 · Apr 17, 2022

Zebrafive said:
I would not use teflon tape. Does the fitting use O-ring(s)? If so replace them.

From what I have read that does seem to be the consensus….no Teflon tape.

I do not recall seeing an O-ring on either fitting. Believe surfaces were for the most part flat. The threaded coupling moves around on the hose end metal piece and once it starts threading onto tractor end it appears to pull the hose end up snug to the tractor end. Checked a couple of times and there doesn’t seem to be any tightening to be done. All is very tight. The leak is small. Not streaming or pressuring out. Just a drip here and there.

K5lwq · Apr 17, 2022

I have never had a problem using Teflon tape on hydraulic fittings that needed it. I just stay a few threads off the end.

Zebrafive · Apr 20, 2022

The JD parts catalog for JD 5303 mid valve shows O-rings on the fittings. Looks like ORFS for hose end, and SAE/ORB for adapter into valve body. Key 19 & 45

deere5105 · Apr 20, 2022

Amazing how some, like yourself, have the ability to read the schematics and find things like this.

If I am looking right, it looks like the hose I am having issue with is #8 and there is a part #20 shown above the left side end that appears to be an O-ring. If there were O-rings involved I overlooked or just missed seeing them. All I did was remove the old and install the new. I cannot say for sure from memory if there were O-rings there or not. Sounds like I may need to look up part #20, order it, take end back off and if not an O-ring there install one.