Do my loader hydraulics need sealant?

[jigs_n_fixtures]

NPT, (National Pipe Taper) needs a sealant/lubricant. NPS, (National Pipe Straight) normally uses a copper washer and two flat surfaces perpendicular to the thread. Everything else uses some kind of tapered shoulder, or 0-ring in a groove. The only one which needs sealant is the NPT. Sealant will actually interfere with the seal on the others. An old mechanic thirty years ago, told me to use a dab of plumbers silicone lube on the rest of them. But, the younger brother and his buddies who worked on hydraulics in the Air Guard and Air Force say not to use anything.

All three of the local tractor places, (Murdoch’s, Valley Wide Coop, and Tractor Supply), and the local Ace Hardware have assortment boxes of O-rings, copper washers and various types of plastic washers back with the tractor maintenance parts. Plus pre-made hoses, and adapter fittings. Strangely none of them make custom hoses. But two of the three AutoParts houses do. Sometimes there are advantages to living in a remote rural location, two hours from “Big Town”.

Hopefully I’ll have time to add top and tilt on my three-point next week. If I do I’ll just mount the cylinders, and drive down to one of the parts houses to get the hoses made up. That way I don’t have to worry about how long or what fittings are on the hoses.