Loader removal question
- Thread starter KPotts
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grandad
Platinum Member
Yes, that's the safe way to do it. Those hydraulic lines are under very high pressure (something like 2,000 psi!) when the tractor is running, enough so a leak can penetrate your skin, get in your eyes or otherwise cause severe injury. It's not safe to be fiddling with the connectors under those conditions. When it's shut down, you can de-pressurize the lines by moving the joystick.
You must absolutely shut it off. The hydraulic circuit used on the tractor is called an "open center" design. The pump oil flows back to the trans housing when nothing is being used. This path is needed to "unload" the system to low pressure and low power when no work is being done by the hydraulics. This is why you must loop the lines when the loader is off. If you opened the lines while running, the pump's return path would be blocked by the QD and the pump will go to the high pressure relief valve setting, quickly overheating the oil. You also would not be able to connect any QD under high pressure.
This is in addition to any safety issues that were raised.
paul
This is in addition to any safety issues that were raised.
paul
Jeff396
Veteran Member
One time I tried to disconnect the lines with the tractor off but without cycling the joystick to release the pressure. I did this to try and keep the part of the loader that hooks to the tractor in a better position for re-attachment. I found that it was impossible to remove at least one of the lines while it was still under that amount of pressure.
Jeff
Jeff
Av8r3400
Platinum Member
This is not true for the new design 4-way valve (that stays with the tractor). There is nothing to loop, because the power beyond stays connected. The connectors are easier to remove when the tractor is shut off, but it is not necessary. (Well advised, but not 'necessary'.)
That's nice. I didn't really take notice of the '23 changes, so I looked at some pix of one. Nice change to the valve assembly. Almost worth upgrading my '22 for that. On second thought I can live with the hassle for several thousand dollars.
paul
paul