5740HST/Relieving pressure off of 3rd function valve

[nebraskasparks]

I was having problems relieving the pressure of the lines that come off the 3rd function valve. Despite turning the key on and moving the switches until I knew there was no pressure I still couldn't hook the male hose from the grapple to the receptacle on the Kubota. I finally played around with the hydraulics enough that after I tilted the grapple all the way back toward the tractor...then shut the engine off, bled off the residual pressure with the controller...then I was able to hook the lines up no problem.
Anyone else have any ideas about this?
Thanks again.

 

[TripleR]

I know absolutely nothing about the third function valve, but anytime I have trouble hooking hydraulic hoses, I relieve the pressure by tapping the ball valve in the QD coupler, messy, but effective; wear eye protection. I may be way off on your problem though, just a thought.

 

[dstig1]

I have had a very similar problem with my new 3rd function valve. I can usually get one connector together, but never get both. I've tried all the usual tricks: cycle the valve while engine is off, tap on the face of the connector, etc. The problem is not in my grapple, it is in the tractor side. I finally came up with a trick to do it - I use a 24" bar clamp (one of those rubber padded quick grips) to put some pressure on the fitting with the connectors in place. Basically I'm squeezing it together with the clamp. Then when I go hit the 3rd function switch, it will either pop together or come close enough that I can work it in. Best I can figure is that for some reason the 3rd function valve does not release pressure the same way as the main loader valves.

Oh yeah - you need to make sure your 3rd function valve is operational. This probably requires the key on (but engine off).

I wish I could figure out another way, but so far I have needed this trick every single time. So I keep a bar clamp handy.

 

[nebraskasparks]

Just got a note from sbakf...had the same issue but found that if he was pushing just a little off center it would go on but no click. That's what I've experienced. I don't know if it's because these new pioneer fittings have an "exact" tolerance and the ball bearings will not seat into the groove unless perfectly aligned or what. Wonder how old your unit is and if this problem goes away with a little age and wear?

 

[dstig1]

Mine is brand new. Installed a couple weeks ago. It doesn't sound quite the same, as I can't even get mine started by hand in many cases. The clamp trick works, but shouldn't be necessary, IMHO.

 

[nebraskasparks]

Mine is brand new. Installed a couple weeks ago. It doesn't sound quite the same, as I can't even get mine started by hand in many cases. The clamp trick works, but shouldn't be necessary, IMHO.

If I can't get the fittings to even begin to fit...it means that I haven't cycled the 3rd function valve switches enough or I haven't relieved all the pressure on the FEL. Once I get them to fit...or think I have and I can't get the bearings to "click" into the groove and lock...is the mystery that I'm working on now. I don't have time for clamps at the moment.. will be calling the shop tomorrow and see what they have to say.

 

[dstig1]

Heh. I don't have time for clamps either, but I don't have time to not use the grapple.... This is what it takes so far. I can trip the valves once, none or 45 times, and it acts the same. Trust me. There may be some magic combination of standing on my head while turning the joystick to polar north while chanting, but I sure haven't found it. Once I get some pressure on it with the clamp, tripping the valve releases the pressure and I can proceed, but nothing works to relieve the pressure until then. And it is the tractor side that is the problem, not the grapple.

 

[nebraskasparks]

Heh. I don't have time for clamps either, but I don't have time to not use the grapple.... This is what it takes so far. I can trip the valves once, none or 45 times, and it acts the same. Trust me. There may be some magic combination of standing on my head while turning the joystick to polar north while chanting, but I sure haven't found it. Once I get some pressure on it with the clamp, tripping the valve releases the pressure and I can proceed, but nothing works to relieve the pressure until then. And it is the tractor side that is the problem, not the grapple.

I feel like I've been standing on my head and at other various angles with those stupid hoses but I haven't tried the joy stick to polar north yet..... but I have chanted some things that need only be chanted while alone on the north 40. Good news is that I've got a contact at Kubota and hopefully we'll have an answer that we like soon.
Pointing at polar north sounds like the best so far. Are you using pioneer fittings by chance?

 

[rjkobbeman]

I remember reading about turning the key on (with the tractor off) and pressing the 3rd function button in order to open the solenoids in hopes of relieving the pressure.

I also read in this thread where that did not work.

Has anyone tried to put the FEL in float position before trying the "key on push buttons" trick? I installed my 3rd function valve myself... and I noticed that it is directly downline (or upline) from the FEL valve.

Seems like with all these valves open the pressue HAS to relieve itself back into the tank.

I know once I start using mine, if I have problems I will install the more expensive "connect/disconnect under pressure" QDs.

 

[nebraskasparks]

I remember reading about turning the key on (with the tractor off) and pressing the 3rd function button in order to open the solenoids in hopes of relieving the pressure.

I also read in this thread where that did not work.

Has anyone tried to put the FEL in float position before trying the "key on push buttons" trick? I installed my 3rd function valve myself... and I noticed that it is directly downline (or upline) from the FEL valve.

Seems like with all these valves open the pressue HAS to relieve itself back into the tank.

I know once I start using mine, if I have problems I will install the more expensive "connect/disconnect under pressure" QDs.

I bought the expensive QD's (Pioneer) and am still having the problem. I called my friend at Kubota and they talked to the service folks in Ohio that said you have to have the engine off, key on, then hold each of the 3rd function switches down for AT LEAST 3 SECONDS. I was cycling them but I wasn't holding each one down for a long period of time. If we all experiment with this we'll see if that holds the relay open long enough to take the pressure off. Hope it works. We'll play with the FEL position also.
(I still like the idea of orienting toward polar north with the joystick:laughing Full moon might help also with the gravitational affect on the fluid