Difficulty disconnecting quick-disconnect (not so quick)

[ning]

I had my backhoe off for a few days, and when I went to put it back on, I was unable to disconnect the hoses... to clarify - when I took the backhoe off, I connected the two hoses that go to the backhoe (or, one to and one from) together. I figure that the settling of the backhoe probably pressurized the fluid in the little bit of lines in the backhoe, which make disconnection impossible (without a couple wrenches to undo one of the disconnect ends).

I was told that connecting the lines was good to reduce leakage / protect the ends, but I'm thinking it would be better to have some sort of cap & plug instead.

Opinions?

 

[s219]

Did you try cycling the valves?

 

[mercdv]

Cycle all the controls in all directions on the backhoe. If that doesn't fix the issue, loosen one of the hose connections on one of the cylinders (do not remove it just loosen it enough to let a little fluid out) and cycle the control for that cylinder. A little fluid should come out to relieve the pressure so you can disconnect them. I usually do it with one of my stabilizers just because if something goes wrong that is the shortest hose to replace. Make sure you tighten it back when you are done.

 

[ning]

I pushed every lever every which-way but unsurprisingly there's nowhere for the fluid to go and it didn't relieve the pressure. As I mentioned I undid one of the quick disconnects to relieve it, so everything was working right away (after a slog to get a couple wrenches boo hoo I really need to add a toolbox!). My question is more for the future; should I couple the hoses together (like I did last time) for storage or should I leave them disconnected from each other - or will it not make any difference because they're not going to leak to relieve settling pressure anyways?

 

[mercdv]

Sorry, didn't read closely. Well, more like couldn't see well because it was on my cell phone and my eyes aren't good anymore...lol. I always connect them. Doesn't matter if they are connected or disconnected the same thing will happen over time. When they are disconnected and it happens you will just have trouble connecting them to the tractor. I'm sure you already know this but connecting them prevents the ends from getting damaged and also prevents things from getting in the female side. The only advantage to not connecting them is that you can use a pressure relief tool if it happens instead of loosening a fitting. If you are going to leave them disconnected then get a cap and plug for them to protect the ends. I'm too cheap to buy the tool and the protectors.

On a side note, you can make a pressure relief tool on the cheap which I will eventually get around to doing but I'm not buying a $100+ tool when I already have a wrench. Also, some people smack the valve with a phillips screw driver (female side) or a plastic hammer (male side) to release the pressure but I'm not a fan of that advice. It can damage things if you aren't careful or do it too many times. I'm not knocking anyone who does that. It is just something I would never do to my tractor but then again I've never been stuck out in a field where I cannot get back to the garage to get a tool. I'm sure my mind would change if I ever encountered that situation.

 

[John_Mc]

Waite's Tools in Atwood, CO makes a great hydraulic pressure relief tool. My brother gave me one as a gift. I can't find a web site for them, but the tool works very well.



EDIT: apparently, Mr Waite is now contracting out the manufacture of these to:

Jim Draper
Rocky Mountain Waterjet & Laser
2218 4th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631-7164
(970) 395-1010

You wont find it on their web site. You have to call to order (I guess so they can make sure you are getting the right model for your connector type?)

 

[mercdv]

Waite's Tools in Atwood, CO makes a great hydraulic pressure relief tool. My brother gave me one as a gift. I can't find a web site for them, but the tool works very well.
View attachment 558507

That is the only tool I had seen in my search that sells for a reasonable price (at least what people say it costs in forums) but I could never find a way to order it other than calling them up. I've seen around $30 mentioned and I assume with shipping that is going to put it right around the cost to make one. That is kind of why I never gave them a call to price check it so not sure what it really costs. Thanks for mentioning that one John_Mc. I had completely forgotten about them because I did my search awhile back but that picture you posted reminded me.

So yea, to the OP, that is the most cost effective solution that I had seen in my search short of building your own. The others solutions I found were ridiculously priced.

 

[tractchores]

I've had this happen if you don't release the pressure before removing the BH. You need to move all the levers after the tractor is off before disconnecting and hooking them together. With that said I don't know any tricks other than releasing pressure somehow to get them apart. You could try lowering a stabilizer (use the lever and push on it), that's how I got mine disconnected.

 

[ericm979]

Some people have used tees with two quick connects and a valve. When you disconnect the implement instead of plugging the two lines into each other, plug them into the tee with the valve closed. When you're ready to use the implement, use the valve to release pressure.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I've had a similar issue with the grapple rake hoses coupled together...but the cause was a fairly large temperature change. I dismounted the grapple rake and connected the two hose ends together when it was cool in the fall, then tried to hook everything back up on a warm spring day...no go.