FEL Hydraulic Leak Diagnosis Assistance, Includes Video of Issue

LoveTheSmellofDiesel · Jul 19, 2011

First, last year I had a leak in what appeared to be in the same location on the same FEL hydraulic arm on my Kubota B7610. Last year it was a pin hole and the only way I knew I had it was when operated I'd get a mist of oil in my face if the wind blew the right way... I hauled it to a dealer, spent an obscene amount and I cannot recall what they said it was, but the fitting looked the same, the piston as well upon return, but it did not leak until a week ago or so.

I've uploaded a video at ‪FEL Hydraulic Leak.MOV‬‏ - YouTube

This time, it appears to be coming from the same location (the fitting) but rather than under pressure, it starts as a drip and as of the last few days has now become a steady stream once the oil reaches temperature.

My question, what do you envision this to be, it looks to me like the fitting is part of the cylinder itself. I've got the FEL off the tractor, and would like to resolve myself versus bringing to a dealer if possible. Thanks in advance to suggestions.

Ford tractor · Jul 19, 2011

I can't tell where the leak is originating. It could be from the packing and leaking down out of the cylinder. Assuming you checked that -- yes?

The other areas would be where the hose attaches to the port. The fitting is the silver part. Wrench it tight by hand -- no cheater bar!

If it is tight then the leak is potentially coming from a bad weld of the cylinder to port. Sorry but your pictures are pretty poor quality and I can't be sure, but the weld does look cruddy. A competent welding shop can fix that in about a minute -- if you did the prep work!

You would need to remove the cylinder from the tractor then degrease the cylinder inside and out. Best and really only way to do that is to take the cylinder apart and clean it with a degreasing solvent. Then the old weld needs to be ground off, degreased again and a new clean bead laid down to actually seal it.

If it was mine (and I didn't have the skills or equipment) I would clean the cylinder like it was going to be eaten off of, take the cylinder off, drain it and bring it to a hydraulic repair shop. Yellow book will have them. It's probably a $35-100 repair.

dex3361 · Jul 19, 2011

FYI do not use your bare hand to search for hydraulic leaks under pressure. The spray can penetrate your skin and all kinds of bad can come of it. Use a piece of card board to check for hydraulic leaks spraying. That said I would shut off the tractor, relieve the pressure on the cylinder and check the fitting and see if it is tight.

Wayne County Hose · Jul 19, 2011

Hard for me to tell from the video where the leak is coming from. I would remove the cylinder and bring it to a hydraulic shop that can test it under pressure. When I had my shop, every cylinder got tested to at least 2,500 psi before it went out my door.