B2601/LA434 Quick Coupler Leaking

[zonedar]

B2601/LA435 Quick Coupler Leaking

Got a new tractor a few weeks ago. 2+ hours on it. Checked the fluids and found the transmission really low. Then saw a puddle of hydraulic fluid under the right side. Looks to be coming from the bottom of the Quick Coupler. Top of it where the FEL hoses attach seems to be dry.

Couldn't tell which one of the lines/fittings it is coming from. Cleaned it all up. Re-seated the quick coupler. Filled the tranny and ran it. Ran loader/bucket and three point to the limits on all directions a few times. Didn't see leaks. Ran a shop rag around all the fittings. Nothing.

Put some cardboard under the right side. Came back later and it's leaking again.

Is there any tricks to locating a hydraulic leak? I know about the paper trick to keep from getting subdural exposure.

Gonna call the dealer tomorrow, but I'd like to see if I can isolate it or 'fix' it.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

-Steve

 

[Peter 315]

You can clean it real good (dry) and get some spray foot powder spray it down and it will turn dark when the leaking oil hits it

 

[zonedar]

Perfect. Just what I was looking for!

Thanks!

 

[LD1]

The kubotas that I have had all use a ORB fitting in the loader valve that the male half of the quick coupler then connect to.

I have seen many that leak where the ORB meets the valve body.

But in any case, take the loader hoses off, and put a wrench on all the fittings and make sure they aint loose. Takes maybe 5 min

 

[zonedar]

Took the loader off and tightened the fittings on the lower half of the quick coupler. They were pretty tight. Cleaned everything off with carb cleaner and a rag. Looked like it was coming from the yellow fitting (second from top). Dusted the whole thing with some gold bond. Wiped the fittings down to make sure none of the powder interfered with seating. Put the whole thing back together and ran it to the extremes.

Let it sit a while and it started leaking again. Took it all apart and it's definitely the yellow fitting. Doesn't seem as bad this time, but it's still leaking.

 

[zonedar]

BTW its a 435 loader. Got my numbers mixed up.

 

[mjw357]

The loader connection on my B3200 was leaking from new.
was leaking at this joint on one or more connections.
The dealer had used something the consistency of chewed bubble as a sealant. Cleaned and reassembled with teflon pipe dope, no more leak.

 

[ovrszd]

So it's leaking at a threaded fitting rather than at a quick coupler?

 

[mjw357]

So it's leaking at a threaded fitting rather than at a quick coupler?

That is what was going on in my case, yes.

 

[zonedar]

In my case it's leaking at the quick coupler. Between the two plates. The top plate is dry. The bottom is wet. Dealer service guy was just here. He's ordering a new quick coupler.

 

[ovrszd]

When I say quick coupler I am talking about the hose coupling. One end female. One end male. FEL end has hose attached that runs forward to the loader.

Is that what's leaking??

 

[zonedar]

When I say quick coupler I am talking about the hose coupling. One end female. One end male. FEL end has hose attached that runs forward to the loader.

Is that what's leaking??

Yes. But on the 435 all four hoses are attached to two common plates. The lower plate has the four male connectors. The top plate has the four female. There is a cam lever that connects them all at the same time.

Because they are all connected simultaneously and actual connections are covered by those plates, it's hard to tell which one is leaking. If you look the third page of this pdf you'll see what I'm talking about. Couldn't find an independent image.

Brochure

 

[ovrszd]

Okay. So it's a quick coupler leaking. Which one doesn't matter.

Almost all quick couplers will leak when all pressure is released. They require some pressure to seal. Your previous comment about parking the machine and then later it drips on the floor is acceptable. I have never heard of a fix for this.

 

[zonedar]

It's losing about a cup to a pint. I think that's excessive.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, that's excessive for sure.