hydraulic dummy here. just wondering, if you checked your hyd oil levels, and if it ever got low? wondering if there is some trapped air in the hyd cylinders. or at least one of them. and needing to work it out.
are the swing cylinders, double acting hyd cylinders or single acting hydraulic cylinders?
double acting = 2 hoses come off of each hyd cylinder. (3 hoses total, 2 hoses goto a valve, 1 hose connects both cylinders together)
single acting = 1 hose coming off, (2 hoses total).
have you double checked the linkages between valve and lever / joystick. to make sure they are adjusted correctly / tightened?
no idea what valve the swing uses. just wondering if there may be a problem at the valve, such as a spring? or relief valve? that either has gone bad or is getting stuck open/closed?
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condoms, of all things, can be easy way to place on end of hoses, and like, to keep dirt and crud getting into things as you disconnect stuff to get in were ya need to get to. some rubber bands, or twisty ties (bread ties) or even zip ties can be used to secure the condoms.
single finger glove (condom for a finger) band-aid isle / area of local stores. can also work. might be a tad easier, for the short stubs / male threads on the valves. after you take the hoses off.
"line wrenches" you have your normal U and O shape box end wrenches, that ya see at every tool store, but then you have "line wrenches" that are more of a C shape, they slip over the hyd hoses, and then slide onto the nuts. it gives you a bit more gripping on the end of the hoses, without wrench slipping off.
--other words a "line wrench" is mix between a U and O shape box end wrench
be extra careful, you will be letting air into the backhoe system, and stuff will not hold at all, make sure you let everything rest down on the ground and pressure taken off of everything, before ya get in there.
if you end up dismantling a hyd cylinder, be careful, the piston/rod could suddenly come loose and shoot out. make sure you stand off to the side as ya work on them. a lot of risk comes from compressed air. but still a risk factor without compressed air, due to overall weight, and how awkward it is to grab a hold of some of the items.