What would cause this? Can it be fixed?

[jinman]

This is probably a silly question, but is regular plumbing tape suitable for wrapping hydraulic fittings, etc., or do you need a special kind because of the petroleum?

Regular teflon tape is commonly used and is fine if carefully applied. Many people use a TFE pipe dope instead because they are afraid of getting tiny pieces of teflon tape loose in their hydraulics. I've used both methods and both work. I've also foolishly used nothing and those connections will seep until the end of time.

 

[Dougster]

Try cleaning up all the oil... maybe it is just some residual... we can hope. Else, let them work on it again.. shouldn't leak.

I agree. Wait a day or two. I recently replaced four o-rings on my FEL control valve and it still "leaked" droplets for a full day before the "leakage" fully disappeared.

Dougster

 

[dbdartman]

I would recommend using teflon paste over tape, unless you are experienced with tape, know which way to wrap it & to (at all costs) keep the tale off the first thread or two. IMHO, paste is just plain easier to use! I've used up more than a couple big rolls of teflon tape myself, & I'll reach for the paste 9 out of 10 times.

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

Thanks for the feedback. I tightened up all of the fittings and found one going into the valve that was leaking. I tightened it up and tested it without putting any tape or paste on it. I ran through several cycles with no apparent leaks. Then I sprayed it with degreaser, wiped it all down, and ran through several more cycles. There doesn't appear to be anything leaking at this point. I will just keep an eye on it for a while and we shall see what happens.

I do have one question for those of you who would know. When I open and close the grapple (with no load), one side opens/closes before the other one. Based on something I read in another thread, I ran it through probably 20 cycles to get any air out and see if that would make them work together. Is this normal? It isn't a big deal, but I was just curious.

It looks like I am ready to roll again. The neighbor needs the garden bushhogged, so I suppose I will help him out. (I don't even think he will have to twist my arm...or my quick attach!)

 

[Dougster]

I do have one question for those of you who would know. When I open and close the grapple (with no load), one side opens/closes before the other one. Based on something I read in another thread, I ran it through probably 20 cycles to get any air out and see if that would make them work together. Is this normal? It isn't a big deal, but I was just curious.

My grapple arms almost always open and close sequentially... almost never identically.

Dougster

 

[jinman]

I do have one question for those of you who would know. When I open and close the grapple (with no load), one side opens/closes before the other one. Based on something I read in another thread, I ran it through probably 20 cycles to get any air out and see if that would make them work together. Is this normal? It isn't a big deal, but I was just curious.

Since the grapple arms are not physically tied together, the one with the least resistance will always open first/faster. If you have someone hold down on one, the other one will completely open before the remaining one. The fluid is gonna go where there is less resistance.