Problems connecting hydraulic implements

[Wagtail]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. It's a real PITA cracking the lines every time I want to hook back up to my grapple or backhoe.

Different tractors have different systems... and you're not alone in your frustration. I used to curse a blue streak when hooking up my 4in1 (even warning neighbours to 'hide their kids'! :laughing! I tried the 'knock it with a bit of wood' method, which worked but there had to be a better way... its a QD for crying out loud.

TBN helped out... sure I was relieving the pressure via the 4 joystick positions (with the implement down = no tension) but I was forgetting the 3rd function switch. So now I shut the tractor off, slowly let the bucket/implement down, joystick to all positions & then toggle the 3rd function switch = the QDs work great (+ no more swearing) ((well, I can still find things to swear about, don't get me started about attaching a PTO shaft! :mur)

 

[powerscol]

My trick with the tractor off is to cycle all the hydraulic levers to relieve the pressure. If I do that things are easy, otherwise the same issue. I always have tractor turned off when hooking up and make sure fittings are clean.

 

[kevin37b]

There should be a sticky on this as well as 1000 other repetitive questions . If you disconnect when you get home at dark thirty and try to connect at noon 2 days later the fluid has warmed up and you have pressure . A simple gate valve will take that problem away .

 

[Tractorboy88]

I don't mean to be the resident safety inspector, but...

if the hydraulics have pressure on them, they may be holding the equipment up. Be aware of the equipment shifting when relieving pressure.

I'll give another piece of advice learned that's related.

If you're ever removing a hydraulic line, and the nuts/fittings feel like they've been tightened by Superman, double check there is no hydraulic pressure on that line/system. The pressure pushes against the fittings and makes them tighter than normal. If you manage to break them loose you'll be showered in hydraulic oil or possibly worse.

 

[dirtymartini]

I don't mean to be the resident safety inspector, but...

if the hydraulics have pressure on them, they may be holding the equipment up. Be aware of the equipment shifting when relieving pressure.

I'll give another piece of advice learned that's related.

If you're ever removing a hydraulic line, and the nuts/fittings feel like they've been tightened by Superman, double check there is no hydraulic pressure on that line/system. The pressure pushes against the fittings and makes them tighter than normal. If you manage to break them loose you'll be showered in hydraulic oil or possibly worse.

Thanks for the tip. I do understand the dangers of hydraulics under pressure, I remember an instructor at a forklift training class at a former employer of mine talking about hydraulic pressure and the dangers of running your hands under the hoses looking for leaks. Someone had done this and the pinhole leak pierced the skin and ultimately led to the technicians death. Nothing to take lightly!

 

[kneedeep]

Try to build something like these

 

[SpringHollow]

I have always used 75 psi/°F change in pressure in a closed hydraulic system. If my rule of thumb is correct, the pressure changes can be pretty significant.

Ken