Can I change the Hydro Connector layout?

[Diggin It]

There isn't a lot of wiggle room in getting the BH on and off with the way the QCs are positioned. It isn't difficult, but I'd like a bit more length. That and the way the 90 degree fittings are installed makes it slightly uncomfortable.

As it is now, the pipes on the tractor have straight fittings and the hose has a 90 degree L before the QC. That makes it a bit cumbersome to twist the hose to connect to the tractor.

I'd like to move the 90 to the tractor, then add a 12" hose before the QC, if that makes sense.

Current: Tractor > Pipe > QC --- QC > 90 L > Hose > BH
Proposed: Tractor > Pipe > 90 L > 12" Hose > QC --- QC > Hose > BH

I know it CAN be done, but is there any reason to be concerned about warranty issues?

 

[papachaz]

could you just have longer hoses made for the BH? and tell them you don't want the 90 degree fittings? a LOT of parts stores now are making hydraulic hoses, but get ready to come off your wallet, they're not cheap.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I'd be curious to see a pic of how yours is set up. I do have the 90° fittings on mine, but real easy to get to, and the 90° actually makes it easier to push the fitting in. I did slightly move the hard lines (no more than maybe a 1/2") to put them "in line". I did notice that you leave your 3 point arms on when you have the BH in place. Does this make it tighter to work in the space? My 3 pt equipment gets taken off when I put the BH on. I find it much, much harder to get the FEL QC's reattached than the BH ones.

 

[Diggin It]

3PT doesn't get in the way of this at all.

I haven't tried to pull the FEL yet. I use it too much right now.

 

[Diggin It]

could you just have longer hoses made for the BH?

I wouldn't want to have anything made, but I could maybe add the 12" extensions to them. I still think I'd rather have the 90s on the tractor end though. I'm due for the 50 hour which they say means draining and refilling the trans fluid, so this may be the best time to open those fittings if ever.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I wouldn't want to have anything made, but I could maybe add the 12" extensions to them. I still think I'd rather have the 90s on the tractor end though. I'm due for the 50 hour which they say means draining and refilling the trans fluid, so this may be the best time to open those fittings if ever.

The 50 hr service only requires to change the HST and hydraulic filters, not all the fluid. You'll only loose about 2 quarts of fluid. Nothing saying you can't change it all, just not a requirement. I went back and forth wether or not to change it at 50 hrs, decided to do the full fluid change at the 200 hr service. Definitely did the filters though. Didn't see any debri, shavings, or 'shiny stuff' when I did the filters.

I have noticed that the hydraulics / HST has gotten a LOT quieter now at about 155 hours. I wonder if the break-in period is longer for the system, hence changing the fluid and again, the filters at 200 hours. My fluid is still clear w/o any noticeable changes (I have not had it tested though).

 

[Diggin It]

The 50 hr service only requires to change the HST and hydraulic filters, not all the fluid. You'll only loose about 2 quarts of fluid.

'Nother thread just popped up asking the same question I was wondering about. Given the location of the hydro filter, how do you change it without draining the fluid?

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

'Nother thread just popped up asking the same question I was wondering about. Given the location of the hydro filter, how do you change it without draining the fluid?

There are 2 ways:
1st is just unscrew the old until it is ready to come off, then take it off with one hand and quickly put the new one on using the other hand. You will loose a bunch of fluid (about 2 quarts) this way and it is messy.

2nd way is to hook up a shop vac nozzle to the 'fill' port. Not down into it, but just enough to create a suction at the top of the neck. Turn on the vac, and when you unscrew the filter, it prevents most of the fluid from draining out. You will get some drainage, but no where near the amount the first way of doing it.
If you think of pouring fuel out of a can, the initial start of the pour is slow due to a vacuum forming...same principle.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Oh, I did forget that I took of the left year tire to have easy access to the filter. I also took off the bottom skid plate that protects the filter...just 2 bolts there. Makes it a whole lot easier to remove / replace the filter.

 

[Diggin It]

What about jacking up the filter side to cause the fluid to flow away from it? Less likely for it to flow uphill out the port, no?


Also, there is a small bracket that looks to be a protector shield for the filter. Appears to come off with one bolt, maybe two. Correct?

I'm not keen on taking the tire off since it's filled and quite heavy.