Relieving Pressure in FEL Hoses

JDFANATIC · Feb 15, 2005

Hi All,

Today in New England, we experienced a BIG dose of spring, and I wanted to clean up some run-off at the bottom of my driveway from my neighbor's yet to be seeded lawn. Of course I could have used a shovel, wheelbarrow, and broom, but I thought this called for a swap over from the front snowblower to the FEL. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Anyway, I went to attach the FEL hoses, and they wouldn't snap in? After fussing for a few minutes, I figured out that the little center "tit" that lets the hydraulic fluid was stuck. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Being so smart and all that /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I figured that somehow water had gotten in the fittings during the winter and they were frozen. So, I got out a 5 gal pail of hot water and let the connections soak for 15 minutes or so. When I tried to connect them, they still were frozen solid. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif So next I tried calling my dealer, and the service guy didn't know what to do, but asked one of the tech's who said it sounded like I had too much pressure built up in the hoses. He said I could try, pressing the connectors against a piece of wood, but cautioned that if it came loose, the fluid under pressure coming out could be dangerous. He suggested I loosen the threaded fittings until the pressure was relieved, and voila, everything snapped in place. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Sorry about being so long-winded, but after doing a search (maybe I didn't key in the right words) and having nothing come up, I though I would post this. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

755inNY · Feb 15, 2005

JDFANATIC,

Similar questions have been posted before so you are not alone. Placing the end of the hose in hot water may have made your problem worse. Increasing the temperature of the hydraulic fluid will increase the pressure in the hose. You may run into a similar problem in the summer if you take off the FEL when it is cool out then try to reinstall when the air temperature is hot.

Pressing the end of the hydraulic fitting against a solid object is the recommended way to relieve the pressure. To protect yourself from the hydraulic fluid, wrap the end with a rag first.

Happy tractoring.

Jeff

JDFANATIC · Feb 15, 2005

Jeff,

Thanks. I just can't remember this happening with my old 755's loader, but at least now I know better. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

RoyJackson · Feb 15, 2005

Put a rag over the "tit" of the fitting, then give it a tap with a mallet.
There may be a little fluid spurting out. The rag will absorb it. It may take more then one tap to relieve any pressure build up.

Do all four fittings as described.

After that, you should be able to connect them.

755inNY · Feb 15, 2005

JDFANATIC,

I have had it happen on occasion on my 755. The first time was real frustrating until I realized what was going on. After that, I would wrap a rag over the end of the fitting and press it against the frame of the loader. It did not take a lot of force to push the ball back.

Jeff

Jeff

keeney · Feb 15, 2005

Even if you remember to release all the pressure after parking the loader, it can become pressurized if moved. If parked on soft ground, the gorund can settle slightly. Maybe you bump into the parking stand with the tractor wheel while backing away.

Once I parked a trailer next to my loader and one wheel happened to be on some of the bucket teeth. I didn't want to have to move the trailer. and I figured I could just attach the loader and pull it out from under the trailer wheel. The bucket curl line was under some pretty good pressure.

The tapping of the quick-connect is one way to solve the problem, but be sure and wrap with a rag as suggested. Being sprayed by hydraulic fluid is a good way to stain your clothes, hat, shoes, socks, jacket, and some nearby building materials with a fine pattern of splatter. Also had to clean my sunglasses - glad I was wearing them.

- Rick

PineRidge · Feb 15, 2005

Rick the first time I sprayed myself with hydraulic oil was the last. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I went into my copper house plumbing odds and ends and made this simple gadget from a copper cap and a short piece of copper tube. I place it over the end of the quick connect, point the open end away from me, and use hand pressure against the copper cap to release the hydraulic oil pressure. Simple and clean, works every time. I toss the gadget back into my tractor tool box to keep it handy for the next go around....

Inspector507 · Feb 15, 2005

I just push the loader QD up against the tractor "bumper/frame" and release the pressure. Yeah the frame gets a little wet /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PineRidge · Feb 15, 2005

Evidentially some of us don't have as good of control as others do, we dribble or worse yet spray..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JDFANATIC · Feb 15, 2005

keeney,

I'll bet that's exactly what happened. I parked the FEL for the winter and the ground was solid, when I went to put on the loader today, the feet had sunk into the ground, enough so, that I had a hard time getting the tires under the "legs". I'll bet it did pressurize or add pressure to the fittings.

PineRidge,

That's an excellent fix. I'll make one up this weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif