New L3200 - front loader line leakage

[ohbehave]

Hey,

I finally used my L3200 for real work. For the past few days, I have just been fiddling around with it (first tractor ever) to get familiar with how the thing operates and feels.

Right off the bat, I saw one of the hydraulic lines leaking. I tightened it, and no more leak.... but the dealer came by to make sure anyway. The mechanic removed the line fitting, put some of that plumbers teflon tape around the threads and re-tightened it.

But yesterday, I put the front loader under a real load (large tree trunk lifting), and a different line began dripping.

In both cases, the leak is right where the hose (or metal fittings) screws into the manifold (the black metal thing right under the operators lever). The first time, it was the red line, this time, it is the yellow line.

I'm assuming that heavy loads puts more pressure on those lines and fittings. (I know nothing about hydraulics) The added pressure probably revealed a flaw that no one could have caught otherwise.

So, should I try to tighten the thing myself?...or do I bother the dealer again?

 

[BWSSR]

or the make ready when the dealer installed it, wasn't done properly...some folks just get in a big hurry.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Just tighten it. If it doesn't stop dripping then call dealer. I've had some do this and never had another problem out of them.

 

[ohbehave]

Thanks.

Normally, I would try to do things myself.... but was thinking that I could be blamed for tinkering with the thing and doing more harm than good.

The dealer came to the house just hours after calling him and they went through all of those fittings. I put it under some big loads for the past hour and no leaks.

 

[FIREMAN Q]

I have the L3800. I blew a few hydraulic lines on the bucket and the back hoe the first year. The lines cracked at the fittings. Ended up replacing all under warranty. The new hoses seemed to be much better quality.

 

[Grandad4]

For those who are new to tractors, just a suggestion to be safe and careful around hydraulic lines, as they are under more than 2,000 psi pressure and a leak can spray a tiny stream of fluid that can cause severe injuries. Don't be fiddling with the lines while the tractor is running and the FEL is off the ground, for example. Drop the loader to the ground, shut off the tractor and cycle the loader joystick to zero out any pressure, then do any work needed.