L3800 hydraulic hose damage

[zmjc]

The hydraulic hose at the rear of my L3800 sprung a leak, exactly where the 3PH upper arm tends to hit it. It needs to be replaced. I made an emergency patch with some silicone and electrical tape, but that was just to get it back into the shed...

The rear end of the hose has a quick-disconnect, the front end doesn't. I've attached some photos.

Two questions:

Do I need to drain the hydraulic fluid first to replace this hose, or is there anything on the front end to prevent all the fluid from rushing out?

Has anyone replaced this hose with a better arrangement to avoid damage from the 3PH arm?

 

[BeezFun]

I can't figure out what that hose is for, is it connected to a valve body next to your seat? It almost looks like it's plumbed into a short nipple on the axle case. I'd replace that short nipple with an elbow, and then replace the quick disconnect with a right angle quick disconnect. That would shorten your hose by about 2' and keep it completely out of that 3pt area. But why is it a quick disconnect? What do you attach it to when you remove it from that nipple?
When I have a hose made I cut an old piece of garden hose to the exact length the hose needs to be. Take it into a hydraulic shop and they'll put everything together.

 

[zmjc]

The quick-disconnect arrangement is for the BH77 backhoe (which is not installed in the photo). Sorry, I should have mentioned that! I don't want to shorten the hose any, because it needs to reach the backhoe connector when it is installed.

A right angle connection might help.

 

[BeezFun]

So right now with that cable connected I think you're sending fluid around in a circle and back into the sump, since it's not connected to a valve or anything that's blocking the flow. Maybe I still don't understand how that's plumbed. You could disconnect the hose, put covers on the ends, and pull it out of the way until you need it.

 

[zmjc]

No, the hose has to be installed - it's the main circuit. The backhoe, if installed, goes in series, not in parallel, with everything else.

Anyway, I talked to the dealer - they said replacing the hose is no big deal; the fluid won't gush out by the gallon. They gave some suggestions about where to install elbows. We'll see what I come up with...

 

[BeezFun]

OK, now I get it. I guess replacing that short nipple with a 45deg elbow would help point the quick connect and hose out of the way, and still allow you to have enough length of hose to hook up the backhoe. I think a 90 would shorten the hose too much unless you put a loop in it.

 

[Tomtint]

I have the same tractor (L3700SU) It looks like you have enough slack in the hose to cut it before the puncture and have a new fitting installed. Should be a $40.00 fix.

 

[rrlaroch]

I have the same problem with that hydraulic hose. It has a tendency to chafe and/or get pinched on the right three-point-hitch arm. I am faced with replacing that hose and appreciate news that hydraulic fluid will not gush out in the process. I would be VERY interested in seeing your modifications to the replacement hose and hearing about it's success.