Aux PTO crossover valve

[BobRip]

I would like to be able to connect and disconnect the hydraulic connectors on the aux PTO on my 422 without shutting off the engine. I now do it by moving the handle up or down a little, looking for the hoses to move a little and then trying to connect/disconnect. This works most of the time. I have thought about putting a valve to tie the two connections together. This would release the pressure and allow me to proceed. I would appreciate thoughts on this. I suspect there might be some safety issues with this. Of course there might be the same issues with my present method.

Thanks in advance.

 

[J_J]

I would like to be able to connect and disconnect the hydraulic connectors on the aux PTO on my 422 without shutting off the engine. I now do it by moving the handle up or down a little, looking for the hoses to move a little and then trying to connect/disconnect. This works most of the time. I have thought about putting a valve to tie the two connections together. This would release the pressure and allow me to proceed. I would appreciate thoughts on this. I suspect there might be some safety issues with this. Of course there might be the same issues with my present method.

Thanks in advance.

Bob. If you install the flat face couplers, you can disconnect/disconnect with some pressure. A manual shut off valves in-line might also work. You could also connect a cross feed valve between the two aux hose. With the engine running, lever in neutral, open the valve and relieve the pressure. You are probably only concerned with the pressure on the lock hose. Evidently you have enough leakage to keep everything tight. If you have the right connectors, you can connect the two lines together, and the implements hoses together.

 

[BobRip]

Bob. If you install the flat face couplers, you can disconnect/disconnect with some pressure. A manual shut off valves in-line might also work. You could also connect a cross feed valve between the two aux hose. With the engine running, lever in neutral, open the valve and relieve the pressure. You are probably only concerned with the pressure on the lock hose. Evidently you have enough leakage to keep everything tight. If you have the right connectors, you can connect the two lines together, and the implements hoses together.

JJ, thanks for the reply. It seems like the cheapest solution is the cross feed valve (that's what I was trying to describe, but perhaps my wording was not the best). Do you see any safety issues with this?

If I always tried to lock it prior to use, then a vent valve on the locking hose, would work. This would actually be cheaper and simpler, but you would have to be very careful where is was vented to. Is there a safe vent fitting? Obviously going down would be better than up, but it might still create a hazard. Something is needed to relieve that pressure without an eye or skin hazard from the vented oil, should the control valve not be fully closed.

 

[J_J]

Bob, On my 1445, I have a hyd case drain QD on the front for those motors that use case drains, and it does go back to tank. I don't see why you could not install one and run it back to tank or tap into a hose going back to tank. The output of the PTO valve goes back to tank, perhaps you could tap into that. You could also vent into a holding tank, and when full, dump it into the reservoir.

 

[BobRip]

Good idea. A small tank with a vent would relieve pressure very nicely. It would probably take a long time to fill.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Bob,

The case drain vents back to the main hydraulic tank. I don't think that the wheel motors for the 425 have them. BUT, the downstream port of the valve bank drains back to the tank as well. Or you could just run another hose, and tee it in at the tank.

If it isn't under much pressure, I would go with the flat face couplers.

All the best,

Peter

Good idea. A small tank with a vent would relieve pressure very nicely. It would probably take a long time to fill.

 

[SnowRidge]

I always shut the engine off before I touch any hydraulic fitting.

NASD: Hydraulic Systems Safety.

 

[MossRoad]

Hey Bob,
Why don't you want to shut the engine off? Just curious.

Adding valves and Ts and tanks seems like a lot of money and expense for something you already have... the key switch.

 

[BobRip]

I always shut the engine off before I touch any hydraulic fitting.

NASD: Hydraulic Systems Safety.

Snow, after reading the above article, I have decided to shutoff the engine before switching couplings. Too much danger involved to do otherwise.

My thanks to everyone for their comments. I was not aware of all the possible safety hazards.

 

[BobRip]

Hey Bob,
Why don't you want to shut the engine off? Just curious.

Adding valves and Ts and tanks seems like a lot of money and expense for something you already have... the key switch.

Moss, I used to have a 69 Rambler and the starter was notoriously critical. When the starter was about 5 years old, it would not spin when the engine was hot. It was also very touchy about battery condition and connection conditions. I take that old experience too seriously and don't like to shut off a running engine and then try a restart soon. I guess I need to get over that Rambler.

 

[J_J]

Snow, after reading the above article, I have decided to shutoff the engine before switching couplings. Too much danger involved to do otherwise.

My thanks to everyone for their comments. I was not aware of all the possible safety hazards.

Oh no, don't let the safety police get me.

Bob. Safety is good, but common sense is better. People have been disconnecting hydraulic lines under pressure for ever. You are only safe as much as you want to be. Someone is always telling someone to be more safe. Again, safe is good, but if I had to shut off the engine ever time I get off my PT, I don't think I would own one. We aren't supposed to walk under ladders either, what a bunch of crap. How many people drink and drive. We all take our risk as we see it. I have been safe, and still got hurt. Maybe I could have been more safe. Most everyone tries to be safe, but accidents happen. That's just it, it wasn't planned. Sh** happens.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Bob,

You might want to try tuffoil oil additive- I have had good luck with it reducing starting loads on engines; it is supposed to reduce wear and friction. I have had the engines spin faster and catch sooner. (It made a big difference on my V8 diesel.)

And for my $0.02, you might consider letting go on the idea that all engines are like your '69 Rambler...There have been a few design improvements since then.

All the best,

Peter

Moss, I used to have a 69 Rambler and the starter was notoriously critical. When the starter was about 5 years old, it would not spin when the engine was hot. It was also very touchy about battery condition and connection conditions. I take that old experience too seriously and don't like to shut off a running engine and then try a restart soon. I guess I need to get over that Rambler.

 

[BobRip]

Oh no, don't let the safety police get me.

Bob. Safety is good, but common sense is better. People have been disconnecting hydraulic lines under pressure for ever. You are only safe as much as you want to be. Someone is always telling someone to be more safe. Again, safe is good, but if I had to shut off the engine ever time I get off my PT, I don't think I would own one. We aren't supposed to walk under ladders either, what a bunch of crap. How many people drink and drive. We all take our risk as we see it. I have been safe, and still got hurt. Maybe I could have been more safe. Most everyone tries to be safe, but accidents happen. That's just it, it wasn't planned. Sh** happens.

I was brained washed about safety by working for a large corporation for 30 years. I don't let it interfere with getting things done though.

 

[BobRip]

Dear Bob,

You might want to try tuffoil oil additive- I have had good luck with it reducing starting loads on engines; it is supposed to reduce wear and friction. I have had the engines spin faster and catch sooner. (It made a big difference on my V8 diesel.)

And for my $0.02, you might consider letting go on the idea that all engines are like your '69 Rambler...There have been a few design improvements since then.

All the best,

Peter

Something more advanced than a 69 Rambler. Wow. I will let this problem go. Modern starters work a whole lot better. I have not had trouble with the PT in this area.

 

[cqaigy2]

Something more advanced than a 69 Rambler. Wow. I will let this problem go. Modern starters work a whole lot better. I have not had trouble with the PT in this area.

Hey, that 69 Rambler had a lot of advanced features. Especially compared to vehicles of that era.

 

[PILOON]

My Rambler had mostly advanced rust!

Man those were rust buckets!

 

[ponytug]

Definitely. But still, designs have moved on. Perhaps not always better, but generally greatly improved, don't you think?

All the best,

Peter

Hey, that 69 Rambler had a lot of advanced features. Especially compared to vehicles of that era.

 

[BobRip]

Hey, that 69 Rambler had a lot of advanced features. Especially compared to vehicles of that era.

I kept if for 14 years and was able to fix the problems quickly by that point since I knew all of its weakness. I almost bought a Vega instead, so it was far superior to that.

 

[ponytug]

I agree. One of the pleasures of the PT is that it is user serviceable, and (mostly) user diagnosable, unlike my recent cars...

All the best,

Peter

I kept if for 14 years and was able to fix the problems quickly by that point since I knew all of its weakness. I almost bought a Vega instead, so it was far superior to that.

 

[BobRip]

I agree. One of the pleasures of the PT is that it is user serviceable, and (mostly) user diagnosable, unlike my recent cars...

All the best,

Peter

Peter, I don't mean to be argumentative, but the new cars can be user serviced if you buy the OEM service manual (not other ones) and the diagnostic computer. I still do most of my own work. A little less than before, cause I am a little lazier and have a little more money. Oops, I did have a little more money. The Rambler was an excellent learning car for me and my first car. It had many minor design flaws, but no really major ones.