Loader Cant figure it out. hyd. Hose connection

[IslandTractor]

I know but some people just won't tap the ball on the male end on machine with a rag over it (what I do) and over think it.
I never not been able to put one together unless it had a mechanical problem like the slide on the female got crunched.

tom

That is what I do to. I just keep a small hammer and some paper towels in my tractor tool kit and give the male nipple a direct whack or use a 2 inch brass "dowel" as an extender to give the recessed female nipple the same treatment. A couple of whacks will release enough fluid to make it possible to depress the nipples with your finger and then it is easy to connect. The paper towels are obviously to catch the fluid which comes out at high pressure so do wrap the towel around the fitting before you whack it or you'll get sprayed.

Some folks don't like the idea of hitting these things with hammers but it works and I've never seen anyone post about how they destroyed their $9 coupler so I just keep doing it.

 

[kjung17]

All great suggestions. I would add that if the above methods fail, you should check the retaining balls in the female coupler. I have had those rust in place. Easily checked by pulling back the collar and pushing with your finger.

 

[jgrreed]

I think you can have residual pressure on the ball on the female tractor side as well. I just shut my machine down and it seems to work OK.

Don't be embarassed for swearing at your tractor when this happens, I know at least one other guy that has done the same......

-Jer.

 

[JB4310]

All great suggestions. I would add that if the above methods fail, you should check the retaining balls in the female coupler. I have had those rust in place. Easily checked by pulling back the collar and pushing with your finger.

A little spray lube under that collar of the female coupler doesn't hurt either.

JB.

 

[JB4310]

I know but some people just won't tap the ball on the male end on machine with a rag over it (what I do) and over think it.
I never not been able to put one together unless it had a mechanical problem like the slide on the female got crunched.

tom

I know what you're saying, but the first time it happens to someone, you think some thing is wrong. Nothing in owners manual on it (I don't think).

Very few instructions ever say use force, bang with hammer etc. (except installing nails)
But man I got alot of hammers, from 24LB sledge to cobbler's tacker and everything in between

JB.

 

[Zebrafive]

I considered the Multi-Coupler JD has for the loader to tractor hose connections. Couples six hoses at once. But could not justify the price. So each time I have trouble with a coupler I think of all the $$$ I am saving!

 

[IslandTractor]

Getting a little hydraulic oil on your hands and clothes is all part of tractoring! If it was neater more girls would be angling for seat time so coming home with a thin patena of oil products on your person and clothing is a good way to insure you get some solo time away from loved ones.

 

[kjung17]

True. It's the manly way to combat dry winter skin. Lol.

 

[JoeL4330]

Scanned the posts above and didn't see my guess as to the problem, so...
Assuming the couplings are compatible, then: almost all couplers are not designed to mate under pressure. So, as several have noted, there is probably pressure in the line(s). Shut the tractor off--i.e., stop generating hydraulic pressure. Then, move the control lever(s) back and forth to relieve the pressure on the tractor side ...note, if you are using the WRLong electro-magnetic third function, then turn the key on and click the button in both directions. Now the hydraulic pressure on the tractor side should be relieved and they should mate IF that was where the problem was.

But, my guess is they won't mate, because I think the problem is on the grapple side: the grapple may not be fully closed and gravity is trying to close it, generating pressure in the lines. You could try and relieve it by forcing (banging) the balls on the grapple connectors [with a brass hammer, several layers of cloth on the ball, and SAFETY GLASSES...and keep on until the grapple is fully closed ...could be a lot of fluid to lose].

But, if you suspect the grapple-gravity thing, use a bottle jack to open/relieve the downward pressure on the grapple tines and, thus, the pressure in the line.

This is fairly unique to grapples and if it turns out to be the case, make sure the grapple is fully closed (or blocked) before disconnecting next time. I use the bottle jack idea, but my dealer suggested an alternative that may work for you: put the grapple tines against some immovable object (tree, etc.) and use the down pressure of the loader arms to offset gravity on the tines. (then shut off the tractor and follow above procedures) Of course, this means you are almost certainly working under a raised loader arm, which means trusting the blocking.

 

[jcliburn]

The OP's problem happened to me just yesterday when I reattached my FEL.

When I disconnected the FEL in my pole barn a couple of weeks ago, it was very cold outside (well, for around here...). As I always do when disconnecting the FEL -- which I do rather frequently -- I moved the joystick in all directions to relieve pressure before disconnecting the QDs. Then yesterday when I went to reconnect, no joy. None of the four QDs would mate and latch. It was a much warmer day, and the pressure in the FEL lines had increased as a result, I suspect. I used a hefty drift punch and a ball peen hammer to pop open the nipples to relieve the pressure in the FEL lines. QDs hooked right up after that.

By the way, this pressure buildup will almost always occur if your FEL is or has been sitting in direct sunlight for awhile.

Jay