Hydraulic Quick Connects - any tricks?

[Volfandt]

When mine have repressurized, I'll insert the blunt end of a 3/8's socket extension into the coupling, wrap a rag around it then just depress the ext into the coupling. You can hear and feel the fluid release through the rag. The couplings connect real easy then

It doesn't happen much, generally only after the FEL has set awhile. Most times it's not a problem....

Volfandt

 

[JoeL4330]

If the problem is on the implement end, not the tractor end then the "work the joystick" routine is of no help ...I've had this problem on my grapple ...hadn't "closed" it all the way when I took it off ...bottle jack to "open" it a tad relieved the pressure. I also find that if I took it off when cold, then sitting in the sun might expand the fluid in the hoses on the implement and up the pressure ...light tap with a "deadblow" hammer seems to be harmless to the ball valve ...being careful to make sure the outflow would point away from anyone.

 

[Dargo]

I've never had anything "re-pressurize" after completely releasing the pressure before disconnecting. I guess I’m lucky that I’ve not had spontaneous pressurization in the 20 years or so I’ve worked with tractor hydraulics.

 

[john_bud]

Dargo,

What, never had a cylinder that leaked? As the loader settles the fluid builds up pressure in the dead ended line.

Either you ARE lucky, or you prop the loader up so it won't settle.

jb

 

[TGD]

Anytime I have had this problem, I just (with tractor off) push the offending connector onto its mate, and then while pushing, move the joystick around. The connector will go on as easy and the collar will snap closed same as if there was no built up pressure on the line.

I have this sometimes when I take the loader off and the disconnected loader sits out in the sun after a cool morning.

PhilD

 

[Dargo]

Either you ARE lucky, or you prop the loader up so it won't settle.

jb

I guess. Seriously though, the "natural" unloaded loader parked position is almost always with the loader bucket lip up off the ground by the time I use the dead joystick several times to all positions and let the loader completely settle before removing the lines. Many people I've seen try to level the bucket to sit flat when taking it off. That will certainly cause pressure in the lines because it will settle. My point is only that I think a properly removed loader is completely settled before it is removed from the tractor. I mention this because the post thread asked if there were any "tricks". It seems that letting a loader completely settle with a dead joystick before disconnect has worked perfectly for me every single time with numerous tractors for a couple of decades now. And, it is oh so much easier to take loaders off now than it was in the early 80's...

 

[N80]

I suspect that settling was/is my problem. Funny that in 20 years it has never happened to you but has happened to me several time in my 1.5 years of tractor ownership. I simply have nowhere flat and level to leave mine. Plus, the soil that it sits on can go from concrete to quicksand with a rain. I have even had to move the boom cylinders by hand to get them to line up. I'm sure that puts a small amount of pressure back in the line, at least one of them anyway. If I had a nice heated garage with a smooth concrete floor, I probably wouldn't have this problem. But, that aint going to happen. So when there is some pressure making it hard to reconnect, a little tap seems to work just fine. I may try to set it on some plywood in the future.

 

[Dargo]

If I had a nice heated garage with a smooth concrete floor, I probably wouldn't have this problem. But, that aint going to happen. So when there is some pressure making it hard to reconnect, a little tap seems to work just fine. I may try to set it on some plywood in the future.

Hmm, I never thought about taking a loader off anywhere but inside my barn on a concrete floor. I suppose that would explain a difference. You may want to try plywood or something. Apparently, taking it off on solid ground must make a difference.

 

[BobRip]

I have had pressure built up in the hoses on the attachment. If you take them off when cold and then it gets hot the pressure can build up. I stick a bolt head down in the fitting and tap on the bolt with a hammer or wrench. Relieves the pressure every time. I think this was a 1/4 inch bolt. Just find one that will get on the valve in the fitting. This does not happen often, but it does happen.

 

[c-and-a]

Just got my 2350 back from having my broken fender replaced...attempted to put the FEL on - using my standard procedure - and yes, had difficulty with the hydraulic quick connects. So based on the many suggestions of this thread, I moved the joystick in several directions, then I wrapped the blunt end of a 3/8" ratchet extension in a rag and gave each nipple a couple of quick depressions to relieve the pressure and I made the connections with nearly no effort at all...problem solved!!

Thanx to all who responsed...