Hydraulic "hard" Line crack

[BizDoc]

My Kubota B3030C Cab model has a hard hydraulic line that attaches to the right (while sitting in seat) side of the motor, just above the fuel filter. The crack is just back of the connection to the motor. I was thinking of putting on a rubber clamp to seal off the crack so I could continue to use it till I can get it to the shop. Anyone else ever do this?

 

[Fallon]

Hydraulics are running around 2,500 psi. Rubber or hose clamps aren't likely to help with that kind of pressure.

 

[BizDoc]

Thank you for the reply. I tried but to no avail. The fluid kept coming out. This happened once prior and they had to remove the cab to replace the line. Grief, This cab thing is getting expensive, I think next time I'll get a soft cab.

 

[/pine]

It sounds like it could be a steering line...if so it will leak more when the steering wheel is being moved...

again...if so...it is not difficult to replace...[edit] sorry...now I see the issue with the cab...

good luck...

 

[BizDoc]

It sounds like it could be a steering line...if so it will leak more when the steering wheel is being moved...

again...if so...it is not difficult to replace...[edit] sorry...now I see the issue with the cab...

good luck...

Thank you, You are correct. I looked at the line and it seemed simple enough to remove from the front engine position, then I determined there were no other connections that I could find as I saw it run under the cab. Why they don't break these things down prior to going under the cab is an engineering mystery.

 

[Soundguy]

any way to remove and realce with a soft line. even if you have to cut the hard line to remove.

ie. cut old line. then add soft line with cab on?

 

[Clint S]

I have used compression fitting to splice cracked steering hard line with excellent success. Can you cut the cracked section out and use them????

 

[Soundguy]

depends on how close the crack is to the fitting I guess.

 

[/pine]

IMO cutting/splicing the line with a compression fitting would be at least a temporary solution...

FWIW I recently replaced one of the steering hard lines...I know the cab complicates things...the cowling under the dash etc. has to come off (in my case the steering wheel, the hand throttle handle etc. had to be removed just to get the cowling off)...I also disassembled the parking brake linkage for more room...
...again FWIW I believe you will need a 17mm (line) wrench for the oem fitting...

 

[luvmexfood]

I don't know if this would work in your situation but if you could get one end loose and drain the fluid out I have seen them brazed and still holding 15 years later.

 

[Soundguy]

braze is a great way to fix a hard line...

 

[Clint S]

IMO cutting/splicing the line with a compression fitting would be at least a temporary solution...

FWIW I recently replaced one of the steering hard lines...I know the cab complicates things...the cowling under the dash etc. has to come off (in my case the steering wheel, the hand throttle handle etc. had to be removed just to get the cowling off)...I also disassembled the parking brake linkage for more room...
...again FWIW I believe you will need a 17mm (line) wrench for the oem fitting...

I am going on 5 years without a drip, Supposed I could make a new line but why bother. I agree Brazing is probably the best

 

[BizDoc]

Thank you. Very good suggestions for me to ask the shop on Monday, I don't want to take the cab off again, last time it was north of $1,000 to remove the cab and replace a hard line.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd look into seeing if that fitting was accessable with cab on.. and if so.. I'd have it fixed as a 2 part deal. ie.. soft line to fitting or something.

that's a terrible amount to pay for a cracked line if it is happening often.

i had a ps pump with a right angle adapter coming out of it. pump was situated so that you had to remove it to take line off.

I sawed the conenctor in half. screwed the piece out of the pump, put in a straight and a 6" piece of softline to adapter to hook back up to the other line.

IMHO.. poor design... fixed now though.

good luck

 

[aczlan]

We had a similar line crack on our BX2660 (the line going around the back which feeds the 3 point) and they replaced it with a piece of 1/4" hydraulic hose. Works well.

Aaron Z

 

[/pine]

Not sure about other models but the fittings on the line I replaced (as I learned here on an older thread) are "inverted flares"...they are not typical ag app fittings...FWIW...

 

[Soundguy]

more common on older tractors though

 

[BizDoc]

Got the tractor back today. They were able to remove a small piece of the line. Apparently there is a break not too far under the cab that allowed the removal of that particular piece of line. As mentioned here, it was brazed, they painted the piece to match the engine, put it back together, and put in 2 gallons of hydraulic fluid. I'm back in business. The garage did me right, got a reduced rate on pick and delivery, just 2 hours shop time and the cost of fluid.

 

[Soundguy]

happy ending!.. and didn't even have to go to thialand!

 

[/pine]

Glad to hear it...!

Just curious...(question for those that know)...will silver soldering on hydraulic lines hold the pressure if done properly?