200CX hose routing

techwrtr2 · Jun 27, 2012

I'm contemplating a machine change, possibly to a 2x20 tractor w/200CX loader. Something that worries me about them is where the hoses from the loader hook up to the tractor. Every tractor I've seen either in person or in pictures has a long loop of hoses dangling almost to the ground. My usage isn't all on perfect terrain and I have a hard time believing those hoses never will get caught and possibly ripped away.

Am I totally baseless in my concern? What have folk done to avoid this kind of problem?

KennyG · Jun 27, 2012

The hoses have plenty of slack for hookup (at least on my 2320), but there is a wire hook under the floor board to hold the hoses up. After I install the loader, I put the hoses in the hook and then pull the slack up above the loader arms. It works fine and I've never had a problem.

chevy · Jun 27, 2012

The hoses do hang down low on the 2520/2720 tractors.
I use a bungee cord to hold the hoses up on my 2720.

jgayman · Jun 28, 2012

I see you have the ROPS-mounted forward work lights. Did you install them yourself? I'm curious if they use an existing wiring harness on the tractor such that you just bolt them on and plug them in?

chevy · Jun 28, 2012

The lights were installed by my dealer.
From what I understand, the lights plug into the existing wiring harness that is behind the seat.

jgayman · Jun 29, 2012

Do the ROPS-mounted forward lights come on automatically with the front grill lights or are they independantly controllable?

chevy · Jun 29, 2012

Yes the lights work off of the headlight switch.

jgayman · Jun 29, 2012

Thanks! I'm thinking about mail ordering a set of lights and installing them myself. My 2720 was supposed to be delivered this week but there was a last minute snafu with the dealer on filling the rear tires and now it's delayed a few days. Boo Hiss.

megaboz · Jun 30, 2012

chevy said:
The hoses do hang down low on the 2520/2720 tractors.
I use a bungee cord to hold the hoses up on my 2720.

Not to be sarcastic, but the hoses should only be about 3 inches Max below the floor board, at least that is all the lower on my 2520. As stated by another user, there is a hook that they rest in.

chevy · Jul 1, 2012

megaboz said:
Not to be sarcastic, but the hoses should only be about 3 inches Max below the floor board, at least that is all the lower on my 2520. As stated by another user, there is a hook that they rest in.

Someone else will need to confirm this, but I believe my hoses hang slightly lower than 3". I am being sarcastic.

jgayman · Jul 1, 2012

chevy said:
Someone else will need to confirm this, but I believe my hoses hang slightly lower than 3". I am being sarcastic.

Wow... those really hang low. I don't recall seeing any of the 2x20 hoses hanging that low at the dealer.

Do you mind me asking what the tall lever with the red top is and what all the extra hoses are for?

I'm still waiting for my 2720 to be delivered. Dealer is now saying Monday or Tuesday. :-(

techwrtr2 · Jul 1, 2012

chevy said:
Someone else will need to confirm this, but I believe my hoses hang slightly lower than 3". I am being sarcastic.

That's precisely what I'm talking about.

porters · Jul 1, 2012

I have a 2520 with the quick attach loader ( which was a mistake because it never has been off the machine ), but I would suggest the dealer installed option has been screwed up in his shop. Mine are very close to the floorboards and I have done a few very rugged spots with no issues.
Sure looks like dealer error in the pictures I saw.

chevy · Jul 1, 2012

jgayman said:
Wow... those really hang low. I don't recall seeing any of the 2x20 hoses hanging that low at the dealer.

Do you mind me asking what the tall lever with the red top is and what all the extra hoses are for?

I'm still waiting for my 2720 to be delivered. Dealer is now saying Monday or Tuesday. :-(

I have seen pictures of several 2520s & 2720 that have the hoses hanging that low. I do not consider it a big issue. As I said above, I just pull them up with a bungee cord. I would much rather have them long, than to short. Longer hoses are better when installing & removing the loader.

The thing that looks like a lever is one of the mounts for my Original soft cab. There are 3 on each side. The red caps are just for protection. You can see them better in the picture above. Leaving them on makes removing & reinstalling the cab a lot easier.

KennyG · Jul 2, 2012

Here is something for chevy and anyone else with low hoses to try: Instead of routing the hoses above the frame mounted loader bracket, route them below. I know this isn't the obvious way to do it, but I found the abrupt turn required under the floorboard when routed above would tend to foce the low loop. With the hoses routed below the bracket and through the loop, my hoses stay above the SCV quick connects. After hooking it up, I pull any slack up above the loader arms and the hoses pretty much stay there.

megaboz · Jul 2, 2012

chevy said:
Someone else will need to confirm this, but I believe my hoses hang slightly lower than 3". I am being sarcastic.

Pull the hose up through the frame of the fel. It looks like you have pulled all the slack out of the loader arms.

Mine only hangs as low as the connects.

I included one pic showing mine could hang that low.

pdp11 · Jul 2, 2012

megaboz said:
Pull the hose up through the frame of the fel. It looks like you have pulled all the slack out of the loader arms.

Mine only hangs as low as the connects.

That's what I always do as well. I just pull the hose bundle up at the point where it's highest next to the mast and I never have any problem with it hanging to low or hitting the 62D deck.

techwrtr2 · Jul 2, 2012

Ever have anything nail the quick connects and do damage? That's another concern of mine. I've tended (for good or ill) to follow the principle that if I can drive over it, I can mow it down. But that means I get some heavy brush painting the bottom of my tractor. Haven't damaged anything yet.

megaboz · Jul 2, 2012

techwrtr2 said:
Ever have anything nail the quick connects and do damage? That's another concern of mine. I've tended (for good or ill) to follow the principle that if I can drive over it, I can mow it down. But that means I get some heavy brush painting the bottom of my tractor. Haven't damaged anything yet.

No but I have had tree limbs break off due to the ROPS and smack me upside the head. Didn't break anything but my head. Perhaps you should build a shield if you are going to be going into unforeseen places. I don't tend to drive over stuff if I can't see the ground, too many chances of hitting a hole or dip that will role those little tractors, but I also cut on a very steep hill side too. So that is a bit different than what some of the flat landers get to deal with.

techwrtr2 · Jul 3, 2012

What I do does tend to depend on terrain... and like you, what I can see. Getting whacked in the head by limbs is unavoidable unless/until I have a 4post ROPS/canopy etc. Which isn't likely to happen.