Ford New Holland 655D Backhoe Hydraulic Mesh Filter Removal

[landrand]

I have a 1997 Ford New Holland 655D backhoe that I'm currently in the process of changing the Hydraulic fluid and filters. In the front of the backhoe and directly behind the hydraulic oil cooler, is a Hydraulic mesh filter that I need to take out and clean. This filter is directly under the hydraulic fluid reservoir and connects to a steel pipe that goes to the hydraulic oil pump. The steel pipe is about 16" long and connects to the pump. The hard plastic/rubber enclosure that encases the fluid mesh filter is fastened with two hose clamps.

My question is: Any ideas on how I get this hard plastic/rubber enclosure off of the reservoir tank and steel pipe. I took off the clamps and there's no "give" where I can wiggle off the hard plastic filter enclosure. The steep pipe makes it impossible to remove this hard plastic/rubber enclosure. Any ideas from the guru's on how I get this off?

 

[JC-jetro]

just thinking out-loud here, you certainly do not want to apply direct heat to soften the plastic. I would probably wrap the joint with thick shop rag or towel well and tie is with some jute twine or something and pour some boiling water over the towel and let the hard plastic soak up some warm and wet heat. Perhaps it would soften it some. At least no damage would be done.

 

[landrand]

just thinking out-loud here, you certainly do not want to apply direct heat to soften the plastic. I would probably wrap the joint with thick shop rag or towel well and tie is with some jute twine or something and pour some boiling water over the towel and let the hard plastic soak up some warm and wet heat. Perhaps it would soften it some. At least no damage would be done.

Thank you JC-jetro for the idea to apply heat. I used a small portable electric heater and sat it next to the filter for about a half hour. The plastic/rubber enclosure softened enough where I was able to pull it down over the steel tube and get to the mesh filter.

 

[TractorGuy]

The outside of the reservoir doesn't have a access plate to get at the screen?

Here is how I do my 575E. I had to make a wrench to unscrew mine. I also found a rubber disc that turned out to be a inner part of the screen and had come loose. If yours is similar let me know and i can give you dimensions for the wrench.

 

[JC-jetro]

The outside of the reservoir doesn't have a access plate to get at the screen?

Here is how I do my 575E. I had to make a wrench to unscrew mine. I also found a rubber disc that turned out to be a inner part of the screen and had come loose. If yours is similar let me know and i can give you dimensions for the wrench.
View attachment 719437

Nice. I like your adaptation of the wrench just to fit your application. Even superman would not be able to see that rubber disc without a bit of dissection, good work. I have also in the past made unique tools to fit just one application for my own equipment.

 

[JC-jetro]

Thank you JC-jetro for the idea to apply heat. I used a small portable electric heater and sat it next to the filter for about a half hour. The plastic/rubber enclosure softened enough where I was able to pull it down over the steel tube and get to the mesh filter.

Nice , slow soft heat is the best for this application. Glad it worked out.

 

[RickB]

The outside of the reservoir doesn't have a access plate to get at the screen?

Here is how I do my 575E. I had to make a wrench to unscrew mine. I also found a rubber disc that turned out to be a inner part of the screen and had come loose. If yours is similar let me know and i can give you dimensions for the wrench.
View attachment 719437

D series and E series TLB's may as well be different brands. They have next to nothing in common.