BX2200 Steering hoses

[gwdixon]

Just did the BX2200 steering hoses after one split and puked hydraulic oil. Replaced the two to the rear. After searching TBN there was some help but more information is needed.
>The pair of hoses to the rear cost $180 at the local Napa. They made them from scratch.
>The originals are single walled, the replacements are double wall and thicker.
>The thicker double wall makes the attachment to the pump a PIA.
>The special hose clamp under the floorboard needs to be modified to fit the two large hoses.
>The protective sheath that went over the OEM won't fit over the two thicker hoses.
>Get the thicker hoses made about 2" longer since they don't bend and route as easily.
>The original fittings are put on by a 400 pound gorilla. It took heat to get a couple of them apart. (I know - heat and hydraulic fluid don't mix well.)
>The floorboard, battery, seat, F/R pedal, panel under the battery, and left rear tire all need to be removed.
>The floorboard must be lifted perfectly over the brake pedal, the F/R stop, and the differential lock pedal to get it off. Removal and installation are twin PIAs.
>The two (of four total) fittings under the steering wheel take a contortionist to get to.
>The fitting under the floorboard is more easily reached from the top rather than from underneath. In either case, it needs two 11/16" wrenches where only one will fit.
>Finding the fitting under the floorboard/fan protector is much easier than trying to disconnect the line from the transmission. And it is not easy by any means.
>The pair to the front look easier to do but with the thicker hoses it appears that the hole in the firewall will need to be enlarged. At least the floorboard won't need to be removed. The battery will have to come out. I'm going to wait until one of them spring a leak.
>And Kubota wants you to do this every two years. I'll drive the tractor onto a burn pile first.

Whining over.

 

[638]

Next time you might want to look at 'SYNFLEX' hydraulic hose. It holds up very well, and is much more flexable than regular hose.

http://hydraulics.eaton.com/products/pdfs/E-HOOV-MS007-E.pdf

 

[techman]

Look for a parker store. I buy replacement hoses for my kubota for $20-$40. Getting heavier hose does not necessarily mean longer life. If made properly, and not physically damaged, hoses should last years.

My BX22 had factory hoses with brass crimped ends. A few of them failed at the crimp, so I replaced all of them with the brass so I would not have a failure when I least expected it. But my BX is 9 years old and I did not see any failures for at least the first 5 years.

paul

 

[lindnova]

I feel your pain. Mine failed at 700 (rear hose) and 800 hr (front hose). I think this is quite common at 500 -700 hours. Only real problem I had was the fittings were tough to get aligned on the front cylinder, even with it loose. The hoses were tough to snake through, but I didn't need take up the floor pan or seat.

I fit the canvas sleeve over the new larger hoses for the rear - not sure how, but we pushed & pulled at it - 2 of us for about 30 minutes.

When I was at Ronco getting hoses for the front, I asked if they could fit the used sleeve over the hoses before putting fittings on. They laughed at me. Then they sold me a new larger sleeve for little to nothing.