Kubots metal hydraulic line on FEL blew

bikerdib · Jun 25, 2018

A couple of weeks ago I was using my backhoe to rip the roots of a tree and push the small tree over. I then turned the tractor around and picked up the felled tree with my FEL forks and hauled it to a brush pile. I dumped the tree, leveled the forks and proceeded to push the pile togeather. Even though I never felt anything, I guess I hit an unmovable object with a fork causing a sudden surge in pressure. I heard a pop and smelled hydraulic fluid. I shut down and found a small pucker blow out in the metal tube that splits the flow between the left and right curl cylinders. It looked like someone had shot the line from the inside out with a .22 pistol. It happened in a protected area and other lines were in front of it so I don't suspect that the line was hit causing damage to it.

At the dealership the same day (after everyone said they had never seen something like this), parts said there were 4 of the lines available in Kansas and it would be in that Thursday. Well, that was 15 days days ago and the latest is that the warehouse cannot confirm if it was ever really shipped and they cannot find any of the lines that the system shows to be in stock.

I've been told that the line could be repaired by either brazeing a patch or even using a mig or tig to weld it. I'd like some input on that. And even more important, if that is possible, can someone near Houston recommend a shop that would do that please.

Billrog · Jun 25, 2018

It can be brazed.

Gary Fowler · Jun 25, 2018

Just about any welding shop could likely patch that. I wouldn't MIG it, TIG is the way to go for that line. Even after a well made patch, I would still get a new line and keep it on hand just in case the line blows again.

bikerdib · Jun 25, 2018

Not long after I posted the original post, I got a call from the dealership parts man. He said that the new line was sent out today via overnight shipping and is supposed to be in their hands tomorrow morning. Now I just hope he ordered the right line.

DwayneB · Jun 25, 2018

I usually just replace the hard line with a hose. If I can't find the right fittings on the shelf I get a shop to make me a hose.

Stimw · Jun 25, 2018

Brazing or O/A welding will fix it easily.
I had to make a couple adapter fittings for my Jinma Hoe because local hydraulic shop could not match them.
I just O/A welded the old fitting to a new JIC fitting and installed JIC hose.