Simple tool for relieving hydraulic pressure

[chim]

Most of the time I can reconnect the loader hydraulics without trouble. There have been times when it took way too much effort. A month or so ago I damaged a hydraulic fitting by tapping on a piece of allthread to relieve the pressure. Wanting something more fitting-friendly this is what I came up with. The cheapest small pump pliers ($3.99) at Tractor supply and a slice of hardwood. The hardwood is from an old axe handle.

Both jaws have been ground down a bit. The lower jaw had more removed so the top jaw could be more centered over the wood. When positioned as shown, I wrap a rag around the pliers / fitting so it doesn't squirt all over the place. Works great.

 

[WranglerX]

This subject has be covered many a time.... A simple search will reveal many solutions...

Dale

 

[mcfarmall]

Love it! Simple, effective, low cost and fits in any pocket or tool box.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Yes, I've not seen one that simple for the female end. :thumbsup:
Thanks for the idea chim.

gg

 

[workinonit]

So can you guys not relieve your pressure with the control levers? I've never had to use anything like that in all the years I've operated my farm tractors. There have been a few times I've had to pop the male ball ends and get some pressure off but all of those are on the implement side for me.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Some grapples and front end implements are set up with one male and one female coupler. Don't have to think about what hose goes where I guess. When I bought my tractor that was how it was set up. I did change it to two females to match the stuff I had but some people like it that way.

gg

 

[CobyRupert]

So can you guys not relieve your pressure with the control levers? I've never had to use anything like that in all the years I've operated my farm tractors. There have been a few times I've had to pop the male ball ends and get some pressure off but all of those are on the implement side for me.

I’m with you. I must be missing something.
Do the pliers apply more pressure than when you push with the attachment’s hoses?
Why can’t you just shut off the tractor and jiggle the lever to relieve the pressure if it’s at the female tractor side?
I’ve always found the pressure is in the attachment’s hoses. It’s a closed sealed system when disconnected.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Also when I remove the loader all the couples on the loader side a female. Let it set for a while and you need to relief the pressure. If you would rather use a dowel and hammer that's fine with me.

gg

 

[chim]

I’m with you. I must be missing something.
Do the pliers apply more pressure than when you push with the attachment’s hoses?
Why can’t you just shut off the tractor and jiggle the lever to relieve the pressure if it’s at the female tractor side?
I’ve always found the pressure is in the attachment’s hoses. It’s a closed sealed system when disconnected.

As stated in the first sentence, most times I don't have problems. When removing the loader I always shut the engine off and jiggle the joystick till everything settles down. I believe it could have something to to with the temperature being different between the time it's removed and when it's reinstalled. Can't recall having the pressure be an issue with the B7500 or L3200.

The pliers apply MUCH more pressure than when pushing the connectors together.

 

[CobyRupert]

Are the female connectors on the loader? If so, I’d understand why they’d need relief.

 

[buck12]

When I drop my grapple if it’s a hot day it tends to build up pressure if it sits in the sun for a while. I pump the male connector on the cross bar on the grapple and use a screwdriver on the female connector. Probably not the way it should be done but it has not caused a problem yet. The OP’s idea is probably better than my approach.

 

[MossRoad]

So can you guys not relieve your pressure with the control levers? I've never had to use anything like that in all the years I've operated my farm tractors. There have been a few times I've had to pop the male ball ends and get some pressure off but all of those are on the implement side for me.

Yes, mine are the same way. Only the implement hoses have problems. The tractor side can be relieved by operating the valves.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Are the female connectors on the loader? If so, I壇 understand why they壇 need relief.

Yes. That is why chim made the tool.

gg

 

[shooterdon]

I remember the first time I had to reattach my grapple and could not get the couplers on. Guys here gave good advice and kept me from looking like a dufus by calling the dealer.

Since then, on both the grapple and tree/post puller, I turn off the engine, turn the key back on and operate the third function button before unhooking the couplers. So far, so good.

But for $4 and a bit of grinder work, I think the OP idea is worth having in my kit. I will eventually screw up and have to beat on the couplers to relieve pressure.

I remember seeing a commercial tool that did the same thing but I was too cheap to buy it. I will make up a brass or aluminum piece in place of the wood plug, drill a hole in it, and attach it to the plier so I do not lose it.

Found the commercial tool:
The Waite Hydraulic Decompression Tool - BoltOnHooks LLC

 

[workinonit]

My tractor has a one touch on the loader and bucket end for 3rd function. I get the opposite genders on the 3rd function end but the loader connections should all me male and the tractor female. If the males build up a little pressure sitting you should still be able to snap the hose in with a bump. If it's that much pressure it probably wasn't relieved properly. You guys carry on but I never had to relieve my tractor pressure manually on my old 5310.

 

[doneill127]

Was having trouble with 2 of the female connectors on my loader so I made up a couple of these. Connect them to the loader when I take it off, crack the needle valve to relieve the pressure and they connect easily to the tractor.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Was having trouble with 2 of the female connectors on my loader so I made up a couple of these. Connect them to the loader when I take it off, crack the needle valve to relieve the pressure and they connect easily to the tractor.

View attachment 674180

I like it. So far, i've been able to fiddle around to get them to work but when they finally let me down, i'm gonna wish i had one of these!

 

[Diggin It]

I can see the valve trick working, but unless you had everything on hand, it would cost a whole lot more than a small hammer and dowel.

 

[doneill127]

Used a hammer and dowel for about 3 years and ended up having to replace 2 of the connectors because. I damaged the orings. That's why I was looking for an alternative. Got the 2 valves for $16 and the male connectors for $8 ea. On Amazon.

 

[metalbender]

I turn off the tractor and operate the lever to unhook. The fluid in the lines expand enough to make it impossible to reconnect when hot outside. Being a newbie at the time, it was frustrating till I figured it out. I like the low cost plier approach, just have to adapt to male ends.