Dumb, new owner question.

PatriotOutdoors · Dec 9, 2023

This should be an easy one.

Does it matter which hydraulic hose from implement goes to which QD (male/female) on the tractor?

My guess is it doesn't matter. Since there are two buttons on third function then my guess would be the hose only matters in that it changes the direction of the cylinder with the button press if the hoses are reversed? is that right or way off?

if it does matter, how do I identify which one is which?

THANKS!

Chewwy · Dec 9, 2023

I believe you are correct in that it does not matter other than to reverse the operation of the 3rd function switch.

A correctly configured 3rd function would have the QDs installed in opposite directions so there would only be one way to make the connections.

dstig1 · Dec 9, 2023

For something like a grapple lid or plow angle, you are correct that it won't matter other than to flip the directions of operation. As Chewwy said, you can make the disconnects foolproof by putting one male and one female on opposite ends of the connection so it only goes together one way. Otherwise your only way to tell will be to either trace the hoses or connect them up and try it. Since you have a 50/50 shot of getting it right, there is a 100% chance it will be wrong.

Then label them with colored tape or something.

Gordon Gould · Dec 9, 2023

All the QD's on the tractor are Female - implements Male. I put a white tie-wrap on one side of each pair - both on the tractor and the implement - to mark the way I prefer them to go. I would go crazy operating an implement like a grapple, snowplow, or rear blade if the control lever direction for a particular action was not the same all the time. But maybe that's just me.

gg

4570Man · Dec 9, 2023

It doesn’t technically matter but once you get used to operating an implement a certain direction you’ll be annoyed if it’s reversed.

oosik · Dec 9, 2023

I've only removed the grapple once. I pondered the hydraulic reconnect for a bit. Hooked it up - got it wrong - reversed the hoses - all was well. Like 4570Man said - once you become use to a way of operation - having it reversed can be frustrating. Besides - I have no desire to become bi-dexterous.

PatriotOutdoors · Dec 9, 2023

dstig1 said:
For something like a grapple lid or plow angle, you are correct that it won't matter other than to flip the directions of operation. As Chewwy said, you can make the disconnects foolproof by putting one male and one female on opposite ends of the connection so it only goes together one way. Otherwise your only way to tell will be to either trace the hoses or connect them up and try it. Since you have a 50/50 shot of getting it right, there is a 100% chance it will be wrong. Then label them with colored tape or something.

Since you have a 50/50 shot of getting it right, there is a 100% chance it will be wrong.
isn't that the truth!!! thanks guys appreciate it. just like confirming these things before I take a flyer.

PatriotOutdoors · Dec 10, 2023

I was at least able to get this implement (tree puller) working. Had a persistent dripping leak though so I didn't get to use it for nearly long enough. But I did get to use it enough to figure out it's going to be a complete game changer and make the whole tractor worth it. So definitely not a lost day!!

thanks again guys!

civilian · Dec 10, 2023

When the colored tape doesn't stick anymore, find colored zip ties to identify hoses. Jon

John_Mc · Dec 12, 2023

I originally had all black caps for the male ends and plugs for the female ends of all the hydraulic quick disconnects on my tractor. Whoever originally installed the hydraulics put a thin colored plastic ring around the base of each connection. The colors on those faded over the years, or the ring fell off or just got covered with oil/dirt/grease and as hard to see.

It turned out my local dealer sells color-coded caps for the male ends and plugs for the female ends of hydraulic quick-connects. The caps have a retainer so it stays with the disconnect when removed. I have two rear remotes, so the four disconnects are marked with red, green, blue or yellow. One set of rear remotes is used to run the grapple on my loader when it is installed (by means of some extension hoses), so the ends of the extension hoses get the same color as the rear remotes they connect to, with matching colors on the grapple. It has saved me a lot of time when hooking up implements.

Some of my applications are not critical, but I certainly don't want to get confused about which way is which on the grapple when I'm moving a large log.