Help with hydraulic fitting failure.

bravada · Jul 2, 2014

Hello,
I could use some help. In the middle of mowing today the sight of fluid spraying everywhere out of the bottom of my vision caught my attention. Where the mower attachment's hydraulic line attaches, fluid was spewing. Since I don't know the name of the parts I'll post a picture. The bottom quick disconnect fitting? with the arrow is the culprit. It's not the hose as it spews fluid with the hose disconnected. It looks like it unscrews from the manifold? Hopefully I can find that part locally at one of the hardware stores that rebuild hydraulic lines around me as I live in a rural farming community. This is my first tractor like machine so all knowledge about these things is being learned the hard way. Also is there an alternative hydraulic fluid I can use? The nearest bobcat dealer is an 1 1/2 hour drive round trip. Also I'll assume I need to get the fluid off all the rubber parts that got sprayed like the tires and the boots?
Thanks.

bravada · Jul 2, 2014

Alright so after poking around a little bit in this forum I found the link to bobcat's online parts catalog. After a while I found the right diagram and see there is a part number for the FEMALE COUPLER and a seal kit so I'll assume I need the seal kit. Is this a proprietary bobcat part or will any female coupler work? I would like to avoid the long drive to the dealer.

SSdoxie · Jul 3, 2014

You could try a hydraulics shop for the seals. Don't think they would have complete, & I don't think you need one unless it got bent. That manifold style coupler while not proprietary to Bobcat, it isn't widely used yet. Used mostly on compact construction equipment.

J_J · Jul 3, 2014

bravada said:
Alright so after poking around a little bit in this forum I found the link to bobcat's online parts catalog. After a while I found the right diagram and see there is a part number for the FEMALE COUPLER and a seal kit so I'll assume I need the seal kit. Is this a proprietary bobcat part or will any female coupler work? I would like to avoid the long drive to the dealer.

If you can read the name and number on the female QD, you should be able to do a crossover.

Put that name and number in the search window and it should show some results.

Something like this.

Quick Disconnects > Discount Hydraulic Hose.com

Safeway Hydraulics Quick Coupler Adapters

Gary Fowler · Jul 3, 2014

Also when you do find the replacement part, don't screw the QD coupling in till the threads bottom out as in the photo. Those are standard NPT pipe thread which is tapered so tighten it till tight but don't keep tightening till you bust the coupling which is what appears to have happened. Tighten it snugly using a Teflon paste thread lubricant/sealer then start up the tractor and check for leaks. If it leaks tighten another 1/2-1 round. Avoid overtightening as it will always cause either the threads to strip or in your case the female coupling to break.

Xfaxman · Jul 3, 2014

Gary is right about pipe threads, but this is not NPT. It is O-ring seal.

On my Series F and yours looks the same, you push in on the QD to relieve the pressure in the lines.

If it is leaking where I put the black arrow in your picture, it is the seal.

If it is leaking on the other side of the nut it is the O-ring.

Hold down the control key and click the picture to open larger in a new tab.

Coyote machine · Jul 3, 2014

You can use any hydraulic fluid that matches the specks that Bobcat states in their manuals for the particular application. For instance if they say: specked for hydraulics and wet brake applications then look for those specific details on the lable. You could call your dealer to see what fluids meet the needed specs if you don't have them in front of you- write them down because when you get to TSC or other store it can get confusing.
You can clean off the spayed fluid with Brakleen or a degreaser, then air dry once problem is fixed.

yellowdogsvc · Jul 4, 2014

The fluid is oil. I think 30 wt. Bobcat's is tinted orange and anti foam, I believe.
As far as cleaning, any degreaser or dawn dish detergent will work. It will come off quickly when it gets dusty and then you rinse it off. This happens a lot. Fittings lose the o-ring or constant on and off cause the inside seals to get messed up. If you see something blue, that's pieces of the inside of the coupler and I'd replace. I don't try and rebuild but instead keep a few on hand. They are expensive but worth keeping in your toolbox. I carry several of each style (machine auxiliary side and attachment side). They do get loose as the hoses move around and sometimes when they are loose they will allow oil to bypass the o ring on the threads or tear it. Again, not worth replacing the rings as small imperfections will cause it to fail again.
If I knew of a source where I could send my extra couplers to be professionally rebuilt for half of what Bobcat charges, I'd do that. Maybe someone knows of a coupler repair source?

bravada · Jul 4, 2014

Thanks for all the replies of help. I went to one of the local guys and he sent me to a hydraulic shop 30 mins away to get it rebuilt. The guy at the hydraulic shop said he couldn't rebuild it, something about scoring but he said he could make my day. He went to the back and returned a few minutes later with a new coupler in hand. Told me he keeps a few of these in stock for the county as they need them on a regular basis. Told me I should probably replace the male attaching to the coupler as it's likely scored and causing the failure. Unfortunately he didn't have a 90 degree male like the one on the mower hose. Any opinions on if I should replace the male? It doesn't appear damaged but I guess it could have micro scratches that aren't obvious to the naked eye.