Quick Connects & Spitting Hydraulic Oil

[PineRidge]

If you are like me and use a FEL or a backhoe then you know that even though you may equalize the pressure in the hydraulic circuit before you disconnect them, the sun beating down on the parked cylinders can raise the internal hydraulic pressure enough to make reconnection practically impossible. So you probably do just like I have done so many times in the past and wrap a rag around the male quick connect and sharply rap it with a heavy object to relieve the pressure. I was content with doing the very same until I got hit with hot flying hydraulic oil in the face the other day. Then a light bulb light up in my head for a better way. They say that necessity is the mother of invention. So I went to my pole barn and dug out a copper 1 inch cap and a short length of 1 inch copper pipe. I soldered the cap on the pipe and trimmed it up so that the overall length was no more than 1-1/2 inches. Then I took a piece of emery cloth and deburred the inside of the copper pipe so that it had no sharp edge on the inside to cut my hoses.

Now I simply place the copper cap over the end of the male quick connect and tap it with the palm of my hand, no heavy tool needed since there is more surface area there for your palm to hit. The oil will travel toward the open end of the cap and away from your body and face. You can make this gadget smaller or larger to fit the size of the quick connects used on your machine and it is small enough to be easily carried in your pocket or tool box. See the attachment, make one for yourself, and keep the rags in the shed! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif click here

 

[jinman]

So... Would you say that tool is self-lubricating? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Very nice! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Yes self-lubricating indeed, I like that terminology Jim. It makes the tool sound like it's worth more money. Ca-Ching! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[beenthere]

When that happens (pressure), I don't rap the ends with anything. I just press the end against a scrap board and the oil pressure releases some oil. Not anything big nor dangerous in my estimation. If I don't want the oil on the ground, I wrap a shop towel around the end to catch any excess.

I don't understand the "hot" oil, unless that is from the FEL sitting in the hot sun. Your "invention" sounds like a good way to do it, and thank you for sharing it with us.