Hydraulic hose replacement

[EddieWalker]

I have a 1998 New Holland 555E Loader Backhoe. I have no idea how many hoses it has, but it's safe to say there are a lot of them!!!!

In my case, I've been running this backhoe for over 20 years, and I've replaced a lot of hoses. But I haven't replaced all of them. A few are still original!!!

I would never replace a hose that wasn't leaking. It's just too much work and money. The hose is cheap, you are paying for the fittings. I got to a specialty company called Axxion to get my hoses built. They are a lot cheaper than buying from the dealer. For me, a cheap hose is going to be just under $100 and an expensive one is over $300.

Tools that I use are a full set of box/open end wrenches. 7/8's is probably the smallest that I use, but 15/16's seems to be the most common. I have wrenches up to 2 inches, and almost everything between in every 1/16ths of an inch. I've never found a hose that I couldn't get off with an open end wrench. Sometimes I might have to tap the box end of the wrench with a hammer to get it going, but overall, the fittings are never really all that tight.

For big wrenches, you don't need high dollar, name brand. I've found that Tractor Supply, and stores like that have the best prices for them. I never bought from Harbor Freight. I bought some other tools from them, and they were bad that I've never been back.

Some fittings don't have any sort of seals, but a lot of them require O-Rings. You have to have a kit full of a lot of different sized O-Rings.

Figure out what filters you need and replace them every year. On my backhoe, there is a huge filter inside the hydraulic tank. It's the toughest to get to because you have to drain the tank and remove a metal plate from the side of the tank. Once you're inside the tank, it needs to be wiped clean. It's shocking how much gunk is in there!!!

 

[D&D]

- Lift the BH rear tires as high as possible with outriggers to make the boom and bucket as straight as possible so the bend at the bottom of the boom is open as much as possible. This makes it easier to get around that bend.

don’t forget to block up the rear end after lifting and before loosening hoses.

 

[Carl_NH]

DD—I forgot to mention that! When I did some hoses last fall, I raised the BH with stabilizers as high as it would go and then put jack stands under the frame. Once you get the hoses off, I didn't want to run it until it's fixed, then for safety.

 

[Mike1955]

Willy that will work but it might be easier not to make all those individual pulls. In which he can mark them on both ends as he gets them out. I have had to do some different things, some of these machines are pretty compact. Look like they only fit one way. It’s a job anyway you go at it. That contributes to why heavy equipment mechanics make an outstanding wage

 

[Swblack1216]

Thanks very wet side

Thanks so much. I have regular crows feet.I can see how that would be better will the opening get around hose?

Thanks

I have a 1998 New Holland 555E Loader Backhoe. I have no idea how many hoses it has, but it's safe to say there are a lot of them!!!!

In my case, I've been running this backhoe for over 20 years, and I've replaced a lot of hoses. But I haven't replaced all of them. A few are still original!!!

I would never replace a hose that wasn't leaking. It's just too much work and money. The hose is cheap, you are paying for the fittings. I got to a specialty company called Axxion to get my hoses built. They are a lot cheaper than buying from the dealer. For me, a cheap hose is going to be just under $100 and an expensive one is over $300.

Tools that I use are a full set of box/open end wrenches. 7/8's is probably the smallest that I use, but 15/16's seems to be the most common. I have wrenches up to 2 inches, and almost everything between in every 1/16ths of an inch. I've never found a hose that I couldn't get off with an open end wrench. Sometimes I might have to tap the box end of the wrench with a hammer to get it going, but overall, the fittings are never really all that tight.

For big wrenches, you don't need high dollar, name brand. I've found that Tractor Supply, and stores like that have the best prices for them. I never bought from Harbor Freight. I bought some other tools from them, and they were bad that I've never been back.

Some fittings don't have any sort of seals, but a lot of them require O-Rings. You have to have a kit full of a lot of different sized O-Rings.

Figure out what filters you need and replace them every year. On my backhoe, there is a huge filter inside the hydraulic tank. It's the toughest to get to because you have to drain the tank and remove a metal plate from the side of the tank. Once you're inside the tank, it needs to be wiped clean. It's shocking how much gunk is in there!!!

Thanks

Looks as if you can remove about 4 bolts and remove the rear cover of the control panel. The holes in either side of the mounting plate should allow you to poke an arm thru.

Get a 5 gallon bucket, set it by rear tire. Fill it with patience. Take your time, and when you find yourself running out of patience, reach in the bucket and grab some.

Not being mean. I've done these jobs before. Wish someone had told me about the bucket way back when.

Actually, Dad always did, just in a different way. "Slow down, take your time, getting rammy won't fix it, sometimes you have to walk away, take a breath, and it will fall right into place".

Miss his wisdom.

Thanks all the encouragement made me decide to give it a try

 

[Swblack1216]

You can loosen all the hoses on one end and then go to the other end and do the same BUT only remove one hose and then replace it so you don't mix up the connectiions

willy

Thanks I ordered some wire on tags and I will take a lot of pictures but I want to take all those ones that go under and up to them hydraulic control unit. I guess you call it. I’m gonna do all of them. This is a 1973 I believe ford 4500 industrial with a 755 backhoe. It looks like the original hoses one blew on my first big stump and the rest look like they’re not far behind I picked up all these Bonnie crows feet and line crows feet

for 80 bucks.m

View attachment 2147448 been a long time. My tractor has been sitting for way too long. I was hoping I could find somebody reasonable to replace my hydraulic hoses for my backhoe. I couldn’t. I have to do it myself. I have a 4500 Ford industrial with 755 backhoe The hoses that go under and up to the manifold seem very difficult to get to any suggestions ideas tools needed any help would be greatly appreciated.

all your encouragement has made me decide to do it myself plus I got a couple prices that I can’t afford. I picked up all these crows feet for 80 bucks. They’re made by Bonnie and a few Armstrong looks like all the sizes I will need plus some And I ordered a couple 3060 wrenches inch and a quarter and 1 inch I have a 7/8 I will be tackling it next week. I will post my progress, on this thread

 

[Swblack1216]

A crowfoot line wrench of proper size like pictured below can save a lot of frustration with the lines so close together. You'll want it thin walled like this to get between lines. A breaker bar/flex handle or even a 1/2" ratchet will work with it. Usually a 1/2 turn and you can probably loosen it the rest of the way with your fingers. May have to wiggle it a bit while turning. They are a bit pricey, but worth it for the frustration they save.

I bought tags with wires to wrap around connection points and the hose(s) I was replacing. Simply mark "1", "2" "3" etc. on them. Have whoever is making the new hoses transfer the tag to new hoses as they are made. Makes it a lot easier to put in the proper place.

If you have a smart phone, take pics of how hoses are routed, unless you have a photographic memory.

Usually there are some clamps in there that all the hoses go through to hold them in place. A lot of times oil has leaked enough the bolts come loose easy, and others have a lot of paint on them. A 50/50 mix of Acetone and ATF makes a great penetrate, and the Acetone will dissolve the paint. I mix it in a small dish detergent bottle with a snap lid to keep the Acetone from evaporating. It will separate after setting for a few minutes. Give the bottle a quick shake, and you're good to go. A small wire brush will easily brush the paint off. Buy a quart of each to try it, more than likely you'll be buying Acetone by the gallon, and ATF in large jugs too. Wal-Mart brand ATF works great.

I've found like everything else fittings have gone up a lot since Covid, hose not so much but has increased too.




View attachment 2147456

I got all these for 80 bucks. They are Bonnie and Armstrong. Looks like all the sizes I need plus some and I’m getting a couple 3060 wrenches I think I have everything else gonna try next week thanks.

 

[Tinhack]

I see that Amazon has some Ratcheting Crowfeet wrenches now. I was about to pull the trigger then read the reviews. Apparently, they still need some refinement. I held off. It's not even spring yet anyway.

 

[Swblack1216]

Willy that will work but it might be easier not to make all those individual pulls. In which he can mark them on both ends as he gets them out. I have had to do some different things, some of these machines are pretty compact. Look like they only fit one way. It’s a job anyway you go at it. That contributes to why heavy equipment mechanics make an outstanding wage

They deserve every penny

 

[LouNY]

Often you will find that when working on the valve end of the hoses that it is much easier to loosen and remove the outter lines to access the inner ones.