How to dissconnect FEL hoses?

[Boomer33]

I need to reduce my tractor weight because of ground that is too soft from heavy rains. I want to remove my 7308 Loader, but can't figure out how the quick-dissconnects uncouple. I feel dopey asking this, but can anyone help?

Boomer33

 

[Bird]

Boomer33, after you set the loader on the ground, kill the engine and move the joystick around to release any pressure in the lines. Then feel the quick coupler. Right on the end of the female coupler, you'll find a "ring" that you can turn with your fingers. Pull or push that ring back from the end, and you can easily pull the hose loose.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just adding to Birds post /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif...Undo the New Holland bungey cord and you'll have plenty of extra hydraulic line. If you push the line coming from the loader in towards the disconnect and pull the collar back(onthe tractor line), sometimes this makes it easier to get them apart.

 

[rmorgan]

Boomer--

Three more quick points. First, if you're not putting the loader on concrete, be sure it's close behind a tree or post and on as firm ground as you can find. B, basic as it is, be sure to put the dust caps on all 8 fittings. III, if you take it off when the air is cool, it'll be hard to put back on in the heat of the day due to fluid expansion. BTW, the owner's manual on the 7308 is decent with regard to on-and-offing the loader. When in doubt . . .

--Rick

 

[lblair]

I had that problem with the heat of the day thing with the fluid expanding. Here's what i did. You tell me if its a bad idea. I know there is big time pressure in the lines and the fluid can cause injury. I took a strong thin rag and put it over the line fitting and held it tight just a little way down the line and taped the fitting end with a dead blow hammer to release pressure. There was just a drop of fluid lose with each fitting and then they popped right on. Was this unsafe or bad practice on the tractor? Thanks Larry

 

[Bird]

Larry, I think that's the way we all have to do it. You can tap the fitting end, if the problem is the male connector, or use a drift pin (blunt ended punch) in the female connector and tap that with the hammer.

Bird

 

[lblair]

Thanks bird,
I didnt want to peen over the fitting end or mess anything up. I luv my tractor so i dont want to make undo damage to her./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Larry,
I used an adjustable pliers, and a rag to prevent getting splashed with fluid when the pressure released. I first tied the hammer approach, but after one hit I saw the metal was soft. Just get one claw of the pliers on the center pin and the other claw of the pliers on the back side of the coupler and it works like a charm (and no damage to the coupler!!).
-Grassguy