Bent hydraluic tubes

[Bob_K]

After useing my FEL to clear out some brush I noticed that I now have 2 of my metal hydraluic lines bent down. these lines are the ones used to raise the loader.
What I need to know has anyone tried to bend metal hyd lines straite? And what is the best way of doing it with out breaking the lines.
Wise people on here have all the answers????

 

[normde2001]

I would try a cheap set of tubing benders from your local home center plumbing department. It is a set of different size coil springs that you slip over the tubing and bend without flattening. Works great on copper, should work on steel, just with more pressure.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a personal fear of bending metal tubing. If its still working, then I'd leave it alone.

If you feel you have to bend it back, be sure to figure out why it bent in the first place and be sure to fix the reason for it happening.

There is a limit to the number of times tubing can be bent before cracking or breaking.

 

[btolle]

I wouldn't worry too much about them being bent unless they are crimped and slowing the flow in which case they would have to be replaced. Every time I have ever tried to straighten tubing I usually ended up crimping it and was worse off than when I started.

The lines on my old Kubota were pretty bent up when I got it and still were when I sold it. Not pretty but did not affect the operation.

When I bought a new Kubota B7510 I built a guard for the lines before they got bent. You might do something similar to prevent future damage. See Hydraulic Line Guard Picture for what I did.

Bill Tolle

 

[rambler]

I would leave well enough alone. Stwwl lines don't like to be bent several times, and are very spendy to replace. It's just a battle scar, it will get more....

--->Paul

 

[pekabu]

wow, great idea! looks good

 

[RickB]

Either replace them or leave them alone. They are already stressed and stretched, you aren't likely to improve their condition, and may well worsen it.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with the others.. if they aren't restricting flow, or in a position that makes them a 'target' then I'd leave them.

If you do go to bend them.. try locating some ball bearings just smaller than the line ID.. run the bearings in.. then bend the line.. the bearings keep the line from closing down.

That trick comes from musical instrument repair. if you have a horn that has a bent 'pipe', or a dented pipe, the lutherier will force ball bearings into the pipe to remove the dents, from the inside out.

This obviously works much better if you have ball bearings handy.. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Soundguy

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I agree with the others..

***** if they aren't restricting flow, or in a position that makes them a 'target' then I'd leave them.

If you do go to bend them.. try locating some ball bearings just smaller than the line ID.. run the bearings in.. then bend the line.. the bearings keep the line from closing down.

That trick comes from musical instrument repair. if you have a horn that has a bent 'pipe', or a dented pipe, the lutherier will force ball bearings into the pipe to remove the dents, from the inside out.

This obviously works much better if you have ball bearings handy.. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


Soundguy )</font>

***** I would add if they aren't leaking to this.