FEL/Hydraulic Question

kawallace · May 5, 2001

The tree root got me..... while using my FEL to move some dirt I got caught in a root and blew a hydraulic line. While removing the line that blew I inadvertently disconnected the wrong one at the quick connect end. I need to reduce the pressure on this line to reconnect and I have tried moving the contorl lever to no avail.....any suggestions on reducing the hydraulic pressure so I can reconnect this line ? Also any ideas on how much a new line will cost ?

Thanks, Wally

Bird · May 5, 2001

Wally, I'm not sure what you're talking about. If it's pressure in the quick coupler at the valve, then moving the control lever around, with the engine off, should do it. If it's pressure in the line that's disconnected, then put a drift pin against the pin in the center of the coupler, wrap a rag around it to catch the surplus, and one sharp rap on the drift pin with a hammer will do it.

Bird

kawallace · May 5, 2001

Bird thanks for the info, it is the line that needs the pressure released so I will give your solution a try. Is a drift pin like a flat ended punch ?

Wally

Bird · May 5, 2001

<font color=blue>Is a drift pin like a flat ended punch ?</font color=blue>

Yep, that's what it is. If you're like most of us, you'll find someday that you took your loader off in cool weather and start to put it back on in hot weather and the increase in temperature has increased the pressure in the lines, and you'll have to do that to one or more of the lines to get them hooked up again.

Bird

JATO_RaT · May 6, 2001

A few dollars ($10 to $20) is typical of new hydraulic lines. They are relatively cheap considering how much goes into them. The line should not have blown regardless though of the load. If you try to lift the Empire State Building with your loader all that should happen is a no lift situation and fluid after reaching maximum PSI will be bypassed. That is the real beauty of hydraulics. The hose must have had a weak spot. Rat...

kawallace · May 6, 2001

I was surprised to say the least when the line blew. The break was where the rubber hose is connected to the coupler. Wally

kawallace · May 6, 2001

Bird I used your suggestion with the drift pin and bingo no more pressure. Have reconnected and now will head to the dealer for a replacement hose on Monday. Knowing how to do things sure makes it easy, again thanks for your advice.

Wally

Bird · May 6, 2001

Wally, glad that part worked out well. I've been wondering whether you had a defective hose that blew out, or whether you hung that root in the hose and pulled it apart. At any rate, I'm sure you'll take the old hose with you to get the new one. Lots of places custom make the hoses and end connections, so they can easily duplicate your old one.

Bird

scruffy · May 6, 2001

Bird, Wally, I had one custom made for my L175/L1500 (your choice) at NAPA....no problem on them making it, but be advised to consider the cost....darn near double.

Bird · May 7, 2001

Scruffy, I think all the NAPA stores are franchise stores; i.e., individually owned, so I suppose prices vary. When I was doing my Top 'N Tilt, I had the hoses made by the tractor dealer (same company, but different location from where I bought my tractor because they were 25 miles from home instead of 50). A rancher neighbor told me he'd had hoses made by that tractor dealer AND at the NAPA store (same distance) and said they were about the same price. AFTER I had it done, another farmer neighbor told me the Farmer's Co-op (14 miles from home) makes them cheaper and uses better quality hoses./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif My usual luck with whatever I buy./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird