FEL Removal

[ChrisJ]

I've got a stupid question, I want to take off my FEL. It has quick disconnect hydraulic hoses, they appear to be similar to the pneumatic connections on my air tools. Not being very familiar with hydraulics, I want to know that when I disconnect the hoses will one side of the coupling drain out? In air hoses, one side of the connection is air tight, but the other drains out. I want ot know, will I have to bleed the hydraulics everytime I disconnect/reconnect the FEL? If this is true I may not take it off, I know this is supposed to be a quick disconnect FEL, I am just curious how much of a hassle this will be. As an aside, if I do disconnect the FEL, do I have to install plugs in the hoses or are they self sealing?

Obviously I'm new to the whole hydraulic thing, I just don't want to break what isn't broken. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thanks

Chris

 

[JerryG]

Both sides seal and No you don't have to re-bleed.

 

[ChrisJ]

Thanks, I want to take off the FEL for mowing. I've nearly killed one of my cherry trees when I caught it with the FEL.

 

[Bird]

Chris, you might also move the joystick around after you shut off the engine to relieve any pressure in the lines before unhooking them. And, since both ends seal, temperature changes can cause them to have pressure in the lines when you want to hook them back up; a matter than has been discussed at length previously on the forum. So you sometimes have to put a rag over the end, and tap it with a hammer to relieve the pressure to get them re-connected.

 

[Nasty135]

Hey Chris join the club, it is exciting isn't it? especially when your motoring around mowing close as possible to the edge of something and suddenly stop as the r-4's start churning up the beatiful spring time grass your so lovingly trying to manicure, Ah yes the front edge of that loader seems to grow periodicly ,just think if we had tooth bars on them we could really do some damage,I think i'll order mine today...

Yes I've been thinking of taking mine off also /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Good question though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Must be a learning curve on this issue.....

 

[Glenn9643]

I'm assuming (there's that word again) that your FEL is set up about like mine is. If so you'll find that when you disconnect the FEL hoses underneath the tractor you will need to connect the hose lengths still on the tractor together to complete the hydraulic "loop" or it will screw up your hydraulics. You can also plug the loader hoses together to keep dust out while you have it off the tractor. I have dual rear remotes on mine, so that may cause mine to be different from yours.

 

[ChrisJ]

i got the fel off alright, gouged the right engine cover doing it. The instructions say to raise the bucket and back away at the same time, there was still too much weight on the tractor and I ended up "bouncing " it off. When it hit the ground it moved a few inches and the arm gouged te side of the tractor. No dents, but now my pristine tractor has a flaw...Does anyone have a spare 1428V right engine cover? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif