Cleaning gunky hydraulic quick disconnects

[MHarryE]

Brake cleaner!!!

 

[ismilelots]

I have a general question that a search did not yield any results. I take my loader off of my little 1025R a lot. Even with the little rubber plugs there is still always grass and dirt in and around the QDs. Where I store my equipment I don't have access to compressed air. I have been using brake cleaner spray to clean the QDs before re-connecting them. Is that the right tactic, or is there a better way?

I keep a tub of these

Tub O Towels TW90 Heavy-Duty 10" x 12" Size Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes​

on the tractor. I love these for that exact use. They're also great for cleaning the grease zerks before greasing. Cleans it right up and dries fast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00022W4ZU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[true temper]

Do what every old farmer I know does, clean them with either. Always some rolling around in the cab.

 

[michaelbuck]

I all ways use Simple Green! Removes oil, dirt & ect and it dose not hurt seals.

I always use simple green for that exact reason. I would suspect carb cleaner on seals, I have a friend that washed his pintle valve on an idle control unit and it ate the varnish off the wires and ruined it. Carb cleaner is powerful.

 

[GeneV]

On mine the caps fit into each other, female to male. I always connect them together when the hydraulics are all hooked up, to keep them stored clean. When I disconnect the hydraulics I wipe them, install the caps right away.

 

[AndyMA]

I just use a paper towel which I carry in my pocket Don't see the need for any chemicals

 

[Seven Gables]

I use wd40 Specialist dirt and dust resistant Dry Lube with built in straw on the can to blast them out. Doesn’t hurt seals, leaves no residue to attract dirt , prevents corrosion and lubes the slide mechanism. Seems hard to find locally so I order it by the 6pak off Amazon, Use it on pto splines before hook up also plus many other uses.

 

[kf4uda]

I use wd40 Specialist dirt and dust resistant Dry Lube with built in straw on the can to blast them out. Doesn’t hurt seals, leaves no residue to attract dirt , prevents corrosion and lubes the slide mechanism. Seems hard to find locally so I order it by the 6pak off Amazon, Use it on pto splines before hook up also plus many other uses.

I picked up a can of this the other day and starting using it. I have used it on PTO splines and shafts. Also used it on 3 point hitch pins and such. It is defiantly a keeper in my arsenal. I have not tried cleaning with it.

 

[WinterDeere]

I just use a paper towel which I carry in my pocket Don't see the need for any chemicals

This is what I do, too. The males are easy to wipe clean, and there's always enough hydro oil coming out of the females during a disconnect, to get them clean with a simple wipe of the paper towel.

These things were designed to survive decades in an agricultural environment. Do you really think any manufacturer expected farmers would be out there douching their QD fittings with brake cleaner or WD-40, each time they'd change implements?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I use nothing but WD40 on PTO splines, PTO shafts and of course on remotes...

SR