Bullwinkle123
Platinum Member
I have third function hydraulics on my Kubota for my grapple. Last year I didn't have any issues with it. This year is another matter. In the first use of the spring I couldn't get the couplers to mate. FIgured it was pressure, took the usual measures, no lock. Tried again the next day when the tractor was cooler and managed to connect.
Then last week I needed to attach it again. One connect works fine. The other though, what an incredible pain. I wrestled with that thing on three different days with no luck. All nipples on all the male connectors can easily be depressed with nothing more than a bit of oil drool coming out. So it isn't pressure. The ball bearings seem to retract fine. The pair in this case is such that the male is mounted on the loader, and I'm trying to slide the female on. It just _will not_ close that last 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
Or wouldn't. Yesterday I finally forced the issue, used a clamp and a wrench as a pressure point for the clamp and finally mated the two pieces. It made a little "thwup" noise, as if the o-ring and hydraulic fluid in residence were telling me something. Now mated, I note that the connection is ever so slightly jiggly compared to the other connect pair. Anyway, all things worked, no fluid leaked, but darned if I can figure out why it was so resistent to connecting. I ran my finger around all the surfaces involved, no irregularities. Just a mystery.
This is a new system, just over a year old. Just wondering if anybody has any thoughts here.
Btw, in all the attempts where I didn't force it, it would get coupled enough to release oil from the male nipple, just not enough to seat and latch.
Stumped. Maybe it will be better next time having finally given it no option this time, no idea, but in general it's been uncooperative this year after no issues last year.
Then last week I needed to attach it again. One connect works fine. The other though, what an incredible pain. I wrestled with that thing on three different days with no luck. All nipples on all the male connectors can easily be depressed with nothing more than a bit of oil drool coming out. So it isn't pressure. The ball bearings seem to retract fine. The pair in this case is such that the male is mounted on the loader, and I'm trying to slide the female on. It just _will not_ close that last 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
Or wouldn't. Yesterday I finally forced the issue, used a clamp and a wrench as a pressure point for the clamp and finally mated the two pieces. It made a little "thwup" noise, as if the o-ring and hydraulic fluid in residence were telling me something. Now mated, I note that the connection is ever so slightly jiggly compared to the other connect pair. Anyway, all things worked, no fluid leaked, but darned if I can figure out why it was so resistent to connecting. I ran my finger around all the surfaces involved, no irregularities. Just a mystery.
This is a new system, just over a year old. Just wondering if anybody has any thoughts here.
Btw, in all the attempts where I didn't force it, it would get coupled enough to release oil from the male nipple, just not enough to seat and latch.
Stumped. Maybe it will be better next time having finally given it no option this time, no idea, but in general it's been uncooperative this year after no issues last year.