Do I need to bleed hydraulic lines?

[GeneD14]

I want to run two hydraulic hoses from the remote valves on back of my tractor up to the grapple attachment on the front loader. Do I need to some how bleed the air out or will it get forced out when I cycle it?

 

[MJPetersen]

Not necessary to "bleed" the lines. 2000# is suficient to push any air out after a couple of cycles.

Besides that, that is a lot of pressure and not safe to be loosening the lines with pressure on them (like a hyd brake line). Do not do it. It will self bleed after a few cycles of the cylinders.

Mike

 

[GeneD14]

Mike,

Thanks for the quick answer! I will give it a try hopefully this weekend.

 

[CCWKen]

Don't forget to check your hydraulic oil level afterward. The oil in the new lines and cylinder(s) have to come from somewhere.

 

[GeneD14]

CCWKen,

Thanks for the reminder. It will probabily take me 20 minutes to find the fill plug.

 

[MJPetersen]

Glad to be of some small help. Do let us know how things go for you.

Mike

 

[jinman]

Gene, it may take several cycles to get all the air out. If so, it could be spongy for awhile, but I used 1/4" hoses about 15' long and don't recall ever having any air bleed problems. You are gonna show us some pictures, aren't you?

 

[GeneD14]

Jinman,

You bet I'm going to post pictures.

The plan is to run the lines and try it out today and tomorow.

 

[GeneD14]

The good news is that among other modifications I got the hydraulic lines ran and briefly tested it out in the barn. After cycling it a few times it worked great! It was to muddy out to take it out to the woods to really put it though the paces. The next time we get a heavy frost I'll have to take a run with the tractor out to try it on some unsuspecting trees. The last 3 days I have spent so much time out in the barn working on the tractor that my wife thinks I have a girl friend.