Hydraulic line adapter question

[Bayou1535]

I recently bought a JD 450 sickle bar mower that has hydraulics and I didn't pay attention when I brought it home to the lines. The male end is too small for my valve that is on my massey 231. I believe I've read or seen a video that stated their is an adapter and possibly that older JD equipment was using their own valve size? If I remember correctly, all newer equipment-tractors now have a standard valve size? What size do I need to pick up, excuse any improper terms lol.

 

[ericm979]

Here's a guide to quick connects: https://www.discounthydraulichose.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/qd_sizechart.pdf

The most common quick connect on CUTS are 1/2" "ag" couplers.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Rather than an adapter, just remove the connector from the implement and replace it with one that mates up to the tractor QR connector. Chances are it's either an Ag or Pioneer type.

 

[Bayou1535]

First time messing with hydraulics so bear with me. The previous owner had a smaller cut, 20 series I believe and made the lines to fit his as he said they were new lines. I just measured the the tip of the line and it is 1/2", even sais so on the line. The coupler on my tractor measures 1" and by looking at tractor supplies website, I'm a little confused. Is it better to use an adapter from 1/2" to 1" or is it possible to put a new end/tip on the line. I'm assuming that I can't put a new tip on the line. Thanks

 

[Midniteoyl]

Thats ISO 1436-1 Type 2SN/SAE 100R2 hose. Its the type and pressure rating spec. The hose itself is 1/4", like this one:

https://www.grainger.com/product/PARKER-Hydraulic-Hose-21A745

These are the couplers you most likely need (couple of pics would confirm). The come in different sizes:

Hydraulic Agricultural ISO 5675 Quick Couplers - Summit Hydraulics

Hydraulic Agricultural ISO 5675 Quick Couplers - FREE SHIPPING

summit-hydraulics.com

And as you can see, come in different sizes. Normal on a tractor is 1/2", so depending on what ends you already have on that hose, you would need a 3/8" Female to 1/2" Male NPT thread adapter, or you would need a 1/4" to 1/2" NPT adaptor that look like this:

Amazon.com: 1/2 Male x 1/4 Female Thread Reducer Bushing Pipe Fitting, Adapter, Stainless steel SS 304 NPT : Industrial & Scientific

Buy 1/2 Male x 1/4 Female Thread Reducer Bushing Pipe Fitting, Adapter, Stainless steel SS 304 NPT: Pipe Fittings - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Both of which you should be able to find at Tractor Supply or your local Farm Store.

 

[Leejohn]

Better read post 2

 

[Bayou1535]

So can the end of the line be replaced with a 3/8 to 1/2 or is there a quick coupler adapter 3/8 to 1/2? Or that would be a 1/4 to 1/2 per what the line sais. Also as far as measuring the line tip, is measured outside or the the inside where the bearing is?

 

[ericm979]

Couplers are actually much larger than the nominal sizes. The chart I linked to is the actual size if you print it at 100%. I suspect that the couplers on the tractor are female 1/2" ag couplers. There should be model numbers on them that you can look up to determine the type.

You can use hydraulic fittings to adapt the 1/4" hose ends to the new male coupler. Don't use pipe fittings, they are not made for the pressure.

If you are still lost, then take the female coupler and the hose with the male coupler off and bring them into a hydraulics shop. They will set you up.

NPT threads do not work that well at tractor hydraulic pressure. I recommend using Locite 545 on the threads. Teflon tape can get in the system and block passages if you're not careful, and that and teflon dope don't seal, they just lubricate.

When you're all done, mark one of the female couplers and the male coupler that you have plugged into it. So the next time you attach the implement, the hydraulic controls don't work in reverse.

 

[Midniteoyl]

So can the end of the line be replaced with a 3/8 to 1/2 or is there a quick coupler adapter 3/8 to 1/2? Or that would be a 1/4 to 1/2 per what the line sais. Also as far as measuring the line tip, is measured outside or the the inside where the bearing is?

You cannot replace just the line end. You need one of the adapters.

Here's a better description of what you are looking at (pull down arrows): Quick Coupler Identification Guide

Though you best bet is to simply take the hose and coupler off and take that to the store to match up with what you need. You need to go from whatever your hose end is (1/4" or 3/8") to 1/2" Male coupler (which you'll need to purchase). Whichever adapter makes that work.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Don't use pipe fittings, they are not made for the pressure.

Great point. My link was just an example of what you are looking for, but you need the one rated for hydraulics, not the standard pipe steel or brass ones.

 

[Midniteoyl]

As an example, you looking to make the final look like whats circled (his is 3/8" to 1/2" Male using a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter):

edit: wrong image

 

[Bayou1535]

Thank you fellas for the help very much. I believe my female coupler is 1/2 after looking at the identification guide but I will have to measure the male end in the morning as I can't tell if its 3/8 or 1/2. I have a pair of mics and I'll also see if there are any markings on the male end. I find it strange that the previous owner wouldn't have used 1/2 since he put new lines on it for his new tractor (maybe two years old). Would it be uncommon or odd to put or not put a 1/2 end on a 1/4 line?

 

[Bayou1535]

Thank you for the pic Midniteoyl

 

[ericm979]

Would it be uncommon or odd to put or not put a 1/2 end on a 1/4 line?

You mean a 1/2" coupler there, right?

Totally normal. The next implement might need the flow from a full 1/2". And you would not want to have to change the female couplers on the tractor when swapping implements.

You may need to stack adaptors to go from the common 1/2" threads on the coupler to the 1/4" threads on the hose. If indeed it has threads. The hose may have other fittings on the ends and they may not be the same 1/4" as the hose.

 

[Bayou1535]

No, I meant on the hydro line. I mean, why replace lines and not use a 1/2 male end. Especially if you have a new/newer tractor. Or is it because the implement is so old that the previous owner had no choice but to use a 1/4 line and I didn't see that he was using a adapter?

 

[Midniteoyl]

No, I meant on the hydro line. I mean, why replace lines and not use a 1/2 male end. Especially if you have a new/newer tractor. Or is it because the implement is so old that the previous owner had no choice but to use a 1/4 line and I didn't see that he was using a adapter?

Some tractors use a mix of sizes. There's a thread here for, I think, PowerTrac, showing a 1/4" coupler right next to a 1/2" one. I bought a manure grapple once that had 1/4" lines that was used on skidsteer. Owner put them on 'cause that's what the size thread was on the cylinder. Sometimes 1/4" is used to help control the sensitivity on machines with higher flow rates. Point is, there are a verity of reasons why it was done. If you want to change the hose, go ahead, but the easiest and cheapest solution is to just grab the adapter and be done with it. You are over thinking it

 

[Bayou1535]

I agree on over thinking it lol. I went to 2 TSC's and a RK, they were all out of the adapters. I couldn't find my mics (still boxed up from a move) but I did take the hose with me to try at the store but that was pointless. I did thread on a 3/8's coupler on the male end and it fit but it measures closer to the .56" on the male end which is for 1/4'' and for sure not .75 for 3/8 . I'll be going up the road to a tractor shop in the morning and will take the line with me. I believe the previous owner just used the fitting size on cylinder when he made new lines instead of just adapting to a 1/2 or 3/8 line and using a adapter for his 1/2'' coupler on his remote. Same ending but a head scratcher. Anyways, thanks everyone for their time.

The coupler did read pioneer 4250 which after looking up is 1/2.

 

[Sportsman762]

The Previous owner most likely put something like a Parker 4010 1/4" coupler on. You need an Parker 8010-4 and a 1/4" NPT female to 1/2" NPT male. Like Eaton 2081-8-4 or parker 15K0201-4-8C.

Eaton Aeroquip 2081-8-4S Steel Pipe Fitting, Bushing, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" NPT Female: Industrial Pipe Fittings: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Eaton Aeroquip 2081-8-4S Steel Pipe Fitting, Bushing, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" NPT Female: Industrial Pipe Fittings: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[Midniteoyl]

I did thread on a 3/8's coupler on the male end and it fit

So the hose end is 3/8"? That makes it much easier to find an adapter - 3/8" female to 1/2" male. This is typical and 100% ok.

he coupler did read pioneer 4250 which after looking up is 1/2.

Im confused.. Which coupler was the 1/2"? On the tractor?

 

[ericm979]

Hose size relates to the flow of the implement. Implements or cylinders that don't need much flow can use smaller hoses. They're cheaper and easier to deal with. For example the hydraulic top and tilt links on my Branson have 1/4" hoses and ends and two stacked adaptors to get to the 1/2" threads on their quick connects. The hoses on my backhoe are 5/16. The main hydraulic hoses on my tractor are 3/8 and 1/2".