Cleaning gunky hydraulic quick disconnects

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have a general question that a search did not yield any results. I take my loader off of my little 1025R a lot. Even with the little rubber plugs there is still always grass and dirt in and around the QDs. Where I store my equipment I don't have access to compressed air. I have been using brake cleaner spray to clean the QDs before re-connecting them. Is that the right tactic, or is there a better way?

 

[mcfarmall]

As long as the brake cleaner chemicals don't attack the o-rings or othere elastomer parts you should be fine.

 

[Rustyiron]

When you disconnect, wipe the oil out as best as you can (both sides) and put on whatever you have for covers. Clean them as well. A wd40 type of spray for cleaning, but without the presence of a bunch of oil, there's not much for dirt, grass or dust to stick to.

 

[Mrsig]

I all ways use Simple Green! Removes oil, dirt & ect and it dose not hurt seals.

 

[mikester]

I all ways use Simple Green! Removes oil, dirt & ect and it dose not hurt seals.

It might not hurt seals and whales but I wouldn't use it near hydraulic oil o-rings

 

[kennyd]

WD40 is great to clean QD's, not good more much else

Brake cleaner is pretty harsh IMHO.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I'll pick up a can of WD and use it from now on. My zero turn is loaned out to a friend so I have been mowing a lot with the belly mower. Grass cakes everything. I hate to get it in the hydraulics.

 

[kf4uda]

Cheap and effective for cleaning pretty much anything:

LA's Awesome Cleaner - 20 oz

LA's Awesome Cleaner - 20 oz <p>Cleaner, degreaser, and spot remover all-in-oneThe original all-in-on cleaner, degreaser and spot remover is the inspiration behind the LA's Totally Awesome name and the cornerstone of the product lineup. A unique blend of

www.dollargeneral.com

https://www.dollartree.com/las-totally-awesome-all-purpose-cleaner-20oz/152664

I is available larger refill jugs as well.

 

[notaz3]

Clean hydraulic fluid and rags.

 

[5030]

I never clean mine and I use them constantly. The residual fluid that comes with the disconnect and my finger is enough. Usually the backside of my tractors are coated with residual fluid until they get washed off.

I don't use the plugs anymore. Kubota sells snap caps that fit over the QD with a spring loaded cover that snaps closed. Much easier and less messy. They look like scope covers on a rifle scope actually.

 

[MHarryE]

Brake cleaner!!!

 

[ismilelots]

I have a general question that a search did not yield any results. I take my loader off of my little 1025R a lot. Even with the little rubber plugs there is still always grass and dirt in and around the QDs. Where I store my equipment I don't have access to compressed air. I have been using brake cleaner spray to clean the QDs before re-connecting them. Is that the right tactic, or is there a better way?

I keep a tub of these

Tub O Towels TW90 Heavy-Duty 10" x 12" Size Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes​

on the tractor. I love these for that exact use. They're also great for cleaning the grease zerks before greasing. Cleans it right up and dries fast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00022W4ZU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[true temper]

Do what every old farmer I know does, clean them with either. Always some rolling around in the cab.

 

[michaelbuck]

I all ways use Simple Green! Removes oil, dirt & ect and it dose not hurt seals.

I always use simple green for that exact reason. I would suspect carb cleaner on seals, I have a friend that washed his pintle valve on an idle control unit and it ate the varnish off the wires and ruined it. Carb cleaner is powerful.

 

[GeneV]

On mine the caps fit into each other, female to male. I always connect them together when the hydraulics are all hooked up, to keep them stored clean. When I disconnect the hydraulics I wipe them, install the caps right away.

 

[AndyMA]

I just use a paper towel which I carry in my pocket Don't see the need for any chemicals

 

[Seven Gables]

I use wd40 Specialist dirt and dust resistant Dry Lube with built in straw on the can to blast them out. Doesn’t hurt seals, leaves no residue to attract dirt , prevents corrosion and lubes the slide mechanism. Seems hard to find locally so I order it by the 6pak off Amazon, Use it on pto splines before hook up also plus many other uses.

 

[kf4uda]

I use wd40 Specialist dirt and dust resistant Dry Lube with built in straw on the can to blast them out. Doesn’t hurt seals, leaves no residue to attract dirt , prevents corrosion and lubes the slide mechanism. Seems hard to find locally so I order it by the 6pak off Amazon, Use it on pto splines before hook up also plus many other uses.

I picked up a can of this the other day and starting using it. I have used it on PTO splines and shafts. Also used it on 3 point hitch pins and such. It is defiantly a keeper in my arsenal. I have not tried cleaning with it.

 

[WinterDeere]

I just use a paper towel which I carry in my pocket Don't see the need for any chemicals

This is what I do, too. The males are easy to wipe clean, and there's always enough hydro oil coming out of the females during a disconnect, to get them clean with a simple wipe of the paper towel.

These things were designed to survive decades in an agricultural environment. Do you really think any manufacturer expected farmers would be out there douching their QD fittings with brake cleaner or WD-40, each time they'd change implements?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I use nothing but WD40 on PTO splines, PTO shafts and of course on remotes...

SR