Loader First time putting a loader back on.

/ First time putting a loader back on. #1  

tinker 75

New member
Joined
Jan 1, 2014
Messages
8
Location
Midcoast Maine
Tractor
Kubota L3240
I took of the FEL my L3240 off for the first time and I am having a heck of a time getting the quick release hydraulic fittings back together. Am I missing something?
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #2  
maybe there is still pressure in the lines
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #3  
With the tractor off...move the joystick to all positions several times...you may have to release some pressure on the male ends of the QD's by depressing the ball...
 
/ First time putting a loader back on.
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Is there a way to let of off on the pressure?
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #5  
When I take mine off and am ready to unhook the hoses, I turn off the tractor and wobble my joystick to make sure my bucket is setting flat on the ground and there's no pressure anywhere before disconnecting.

Another problem might be temperatures. If you unhook cool and try to rehook warm, you'll have pressure in the lines from expanding fluid. To combat that I try to use my FEL enough to warm the fluid before I unhook.

So if you think you've unhooked with line pressure, you have to release that pressure by opening the seal in the connectors. Some will say to unscrew a fitting until the pressure releases. To that I say be extremely careful and wrap a rag around the fitting so you don't get sprayed. Makes a big mess.

If you think you've unhooked cool, then you have the same problem and the fix is the same.

After you fight this a few times you'll get real picky about how/when you remove your FEL. I take mine off/on a dozen times a year and rarely have a problem because I plan ahead.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #6  
Is there a way to let of off on the pressure?[/QUOif

If moving the levers around doesn't relieve the pressure, wrap a heavy rag around the male fitting, and rap the ball with a hammer. Beware! it will spew, hence covering with rag.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #7  
Remember to move the loader valve into the detent position to release all pressure in the tractor.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #8  
The safest way to release trapped line pressure is to slowly loosen a threaded nut type end (JIC 37 or 45 degree) on the hoses. Wrap a rag loosely around it and back the nut off slowly. Once you get a spurt of oil, that line is done and you can retighten and do the next if necessary. Every time I go to reconnect the lines on my rear blade I have this problem if the lines were disconnected cold and now it's warmer.

Since the dump and lift cylinders are separate circuits, but paired, you'll probably have to bleed two hoses, one on a curl/dump cylinder and the other on a lift cylinder. Be careful not to release too much fluid or the loader could settle on the parking stands and be hard to re-attach as well.

Sean
 
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/ First time putting a loader back on. #9  
I use a wooden dowel and press it into the female fitting to relive pressure. You have to press the nipple in. Do this with a rag wrapped around the fitting.

But if ya do a good job of relieving the pressure before you take the loader off and don't park the loader out in the sun, it usually is not a problem at all...
 
/ First time putting a loader back on.
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Thanks for all the replies I will give it a try in the morning.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #11  
This is a learning curve like the guys above stated. When you park the tractor with the intention of removing the loader, turn the tractor off and rotate the joystick through each position at least twice to insure all pressure has been relieved before you take the hoses off. The hoses will pop off under pressure but you have no chance of getting them back on under pressure. I didn't do this the first time and when I finally got the loader back on it was there to stay for a while plus I had hydraulic fluid all over the place! Now I take it on and off in five minutes or less. Just like any other implement, they all have a sweet spot. Some guys use a big hammer and some guys slow down and find the sweet spots. It will pay you big dividends on your equipment to find the sweet spots whether they are mechanical or hydraulic. At this point you need to take the pressure off of your lines. If you can't push the detents in on the quick connects with your finger then chances are they are pressured up. You have got to relieve this pressure in order to reconnect. Initially you have got yourself a super shooter so it goes in a rag or all over the place. For that reason, cracking a fitting on the line is a more controlled situation. Either way is not that complicated and you will be pleasantly surprised to discover how easy they go on and off. Every once in a while I get in a hurry and forget to do this until it is too late! Don't feel bad it's just part of the joy of having a fine machine.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #12  
Bet the brochure told you how EASY and FAST it was! I had problems with our JD 640 loader as well, although never with the hydraulics providing of course you relieve the pressure..

Flat faced connectors I am told are supposed to be able to be connected and disconnected under pressure, but I think that has got to be at the top of the list, for the worlds greatest lies!
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #13  
Dont feel alone, Ive done it too. Just get something to press and release the line pressure on the FEL and you will be back in business.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #14  
Bet the brochure told you how EASY and FAST it was! I had problems with our JD 640 loader as well, although never with the hydraulics providing of course you relieve the pressure..

Flat faced connectors I am told are supposed to be able to be connected and disconnected under pressure, but I think that has got to be at the top of the list, for the worlds greatest lies!

Yep! I can never get my grapple hydraulics to reattach after taking it off, no matter the conditions. I created a simple tool with a male and female flat face coupler and a couple pieces of pipe just to relieve pressure so I can reattach. The pipe is open so it relieves pressure without spraying everywhere like the hammer trick. BTW, I recommend a wood mallet over a hammer so you don't damage the fitting. But wrap it in a rag first, and keep hands and body parts back to avoid potential injury.
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #15  
Or, if you're more patient than I am, you can wait for a colder day ;)

Sean
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #16  
Flat faced connectors I am told are supposed to be able to be connected and disconnected under pressure, but I think that has got to be at the top of the list, for the worlds greatest lies!

I've got flat faced connectors. That is truly a lie!!! :)
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #17  
What we REALLY need to do is launch a search for any owner of a 'quick connect' FEL that has NOT had a face fuel of hydraulic fluid! Happens to everybody at some point. :licking:
 
/ First time putting a loader back on. #18  
Just relieving pressure does not always work because the oil may be warmer when you reconnect. You may disconnect on a cool morning or relatively cool day and reconnect several days or weeks later when the ambient temperature is higher. That happened to me and I had to resort to using a hammer to relieve the pressure. I got sprayed with oil because I did not put a rag over the connector.

A tip from one of the experienced TBN members has worked well ever since. That is, drain about 1 teaspoon of oil from each connector when you disconnect, leaving room for expansion.

Edit: here is the link to the previous discussion:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/245727-options-dealing-pressure-build-up.html

In post #9 CJONE gives the tip about bleeding some fluid. SPYDERLK says the same thing in his posts.
 

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