Teflon tape a no no?

[woodlandfarms]

I was just reading another article here and people are saying Teflon tape is a no no in connections.

This is odd.. A number of hoses have teflon on it. I have not found any teflon on elbow connectors to pumps and such. My hose dealer told me not to use teflon on a "fresh" connection, but if I remove a connector from a hose and replace / re-attache then I need to teflon up.

Any advice always apreciated as I have some stuff to mess with when I get back to the farm.

 

[CurlyDave]

I would much rather use a teflon paste thread sealant than tape.

If you absolutely must use tape, no more than 1-1/4 wraps, and keep it back from the first thread. This minimizes pieces of teflon in the fluid, but the paste is a lot less craft-sensitive.

 

[kennyd]

A Teflon based past (PTFE) like THIS is much better for hydraulic connections. The small bits of tape can wreak havoc on the close tolerance parts in a hydraulic pump or spool valve.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

My opinion, teflon tape is for water pipes. I have picked countless pieces of teflon tape from solenoid valves. I talked to a guy recently that has done quite a bit of hydraulic work that feels just the opposite of me. I guess the main thing is that if you are going to use it, be very careful about not getting it too far up the threads as CurlyDave says.

 

[John47]

I worked in the mining industry as an electrician for years, both in the UK and Australia. And our mechanical engineering staffs used tons of PTFE tape on hydraulic joints from a few psi to 6000psi on the longwall chockshield fittings.There were many "delicate" pilot hydraulic circuits that had joints made with ptfe tape too. So I doubt you'd have much trouble with it on tractor hydraulics.
My experience with the paste is dismal, don't know why, but always end up with leaks. I'll stick to tape.

 

[JerryG]

My experience with the paste is dismal, don't know why, but always end up with leaks. I'll stick to tape.

I would say that 2/3 of the joints where I have used paste leaked. I have no problem with tape. As with so many things, If the tape is used correctly it does a good job and doesn't cause problems.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I would say that 2/3 of the joints where I have used paste leaked. I have no problem with tape. As with so many things, If the tape is used correctly it does a good job and doesn't cause problems.

No No not a no no, but a know know what youre doin before u use it. Apply to the male taper thread at least one thread back and no more than 2 wraps. This is because as the tape is squeezed in the joint it extrudes down the thread almost as much as up an youll end up with tape sticking out inside ready to cause the trouble everyone talks about.

So now youve done it right - no leaks - no problems..... until you take it apart someday. Some tape filaments will remain in the female. They must be removed before re making the joint. I think this is where the main mistakes are made. Its pretty easy to get it all out. Just spin the thread socket ccw on a toothbrush, inspect, etc.
larry

 

[PAB_OH]

Maint. Tech. in a previous life working on hydraulic presses, EVERYDAY for 3 years. We never, ever, ever, used tape on hydraulic circuits. Paste for everything.

We would use the tape on circuits for fluids other than the hydraulic system but even then it would get us into trouble. I would venture to guess 99.9% self induced though from improper application and technique.

I would have no problem using it on my machine though. I have a fair bit of confidence I know what I'm doing. YMMV

 

[xlr82v2]

I worked in the mining industry as an electrician for years, both in the UK and Australia. And our mechanical engineering staffs used tons of PTFE tape on hydraulic joints from a few psi to 6000psi on the longwall chockshield fittings.There were many "delicate" pilot hydraulic circuits that had joints made with ptfe tape too. So I doubt you'd have much trouble with it on tractor hydraulics.
My experience with the paste is dismal, don't know why, but always end up with leaks. I'll stick to tape.

Ditto that... I have had the same luck with the paste... I think it's more "feel good" than anything. If you don't want it to leak, use the tape. Like the others have said... just leave the first thread exposed.

 

[chh]

I've used both and prefer the tape. I learned the hard way to be careful though. Too much tape or applied wrong and it can get to places you do not want it.