Hose length for root grapple

Xfaxman · Apr 16, 2015

CDN Farm Boy said:
Having only read of the tape issue on TBN, I inquired at my hydraulic shop. They use tape, just don't put it on the first thread and make sure you wrap it the right way. If one of my city's largest shops use tape, its good enough for me. Much easier to manage, especially if you want to make connections in the middle of the winter.

Right, if done right, putting together causes no problems. But how many first timers now how to do it right.

The problems can happen if not put on correctly or the fitting has to be removed for repairs or replacement. Little pieces of tape can and do get into valves and pumps.

downsizingnow48 · Apr 17, 2015

Loctite sealant is easy fast and works better than tape. And if you disassemble a joint dont have to pick nearly invisible shreds of tape out of pipe threads. I have used both and cant think of any reason to favor tape except cost. In a big shop that could be a factor but for the little I do not a consideration.

powerscol · Apr 17, 2015

I learned the hard way on this, putting tape on my JIC fitting threads. On those I used tape, they leaked and the also moved easier under pressure. Once tape was removed, problem went away. I only put the tape on the threads too.

Raincoast · Apr 17, 2015

My grapple disconnects came with Teflon tape, from the factory. When I replaced them with FF couplers I found the tape had been almost melted by the hyd fluid. A gooey mess.
Locktite & others make liquid sealant especially for hyd fittings. According to the instructions, a "primer" is required, but nobody here had ever stocked it. So I tried it without the primer. No leaks, no mess. Easy.
30 years in civil aviation maintenance left me with a strong reluctance to use Teflon tape on anything but water systems.

CDN Farm Boy · Apr 17, 2015

powerscol said:
I learned the hard way on this, putting tape on my JIC fitting threads. On those I used tape, they leaked and the also moved easier under pressure. Once tape was removed, problem went away. I only put the tape on the threads too.

Your problem started with using tape on a joint designed to be a metal to metal connection with no sealant of any sort. NPT has tapered threads, JIC has straight threads.