What the heck tool to get these hydraulic lines off?

[laurencen]

Sorry about the photo. Here is one of the lines. The one I need to remove is in the back but at this point I think I will try having them all replaced.

View attachment 629620

like all these machines you keed taking hoses off to get access, when i rebuilt the Bobcat 430 we cut and bent many wrenches to get into odd spaces

 

[RickB]

Snap On, and probably others do make (or have made) crow foot flare nut wrenches in your desired size. I found one on eBay but it's almost $30.

Yup. Off the tool truck will be more. And paying someone else to do the job will be more yet because that guy already has the tools.

 

[LouNY]

One option is to cut the hose off and then use a socket to remove the fittings.

 

[SSdoxie]

Take the floor out of the operator station, that should give better access to the rear hoses and some extra elbow room to get a wrench in there.

 

[orezok]

One option is to cut the hose off and then use a socket to remove the fittings.

Well, that works good for off, but then there is on.

 

[LouNY]

Well, that works good for off, but then there is on.

They usually go back on with less required force, with a bit of sealant just a bit more then snug usually works plus you can do the easiest last.

 

[RickB]

Well, that works good for off, but then there is on.

Tightening new connections is ALWAYS easier than removing hoses that have been connected for decades.

 

[fried1765]

They usually go back on with less required force, with a bit of sealant just a bit more then snug usually works plus you can do the easiest last.

Careful use of an air chisel will get them as tight as you want.

 

[Threepoint]

Careful use of an air chisel will get them as tight as you want.

I'm always open to new tricks, but I'm not visualizing how you'd do this with an impact chisel.

Actually, I'm more intrigued by your comment as a way to loosen a pesky fitting. I have one right now on my 26 y/o B2150 where an FEL hydraulic hose connects to a rusted male 90-degree JIC fitting that's brazed/welded to a hard line on the top of the torque tube. I can get open-end wrenches on both fittings, but it's hard to keep the hard line from twisting as I apply steady pressure to the hose-end fitting. If I damage the weld, it will become a big problem. The hose seems fine for now, so I've avoided further efforts on the "not broke, don't fix it" principle.

I was thinking that maybe a crow's foot wrench chucked onto a 3/8" impact wrench, or onto a 1/4"-to-3/8" adapter in a more gentle impact driver might do the trick. Hadn't thought of an air chisel.

 

[RickB]

Heat the nut of the JIC fitting to a dull red on one or two flats. Let it cool then disassemble with your open end wrenches.