Fixing a hydraulic leak - DIY or dealer?

[RobA]

I was clearing more of my acreage today using the grapple to pick up debris left over from when we had it timbered. I was just about done for the day when I saw another log to put on the burn pile. Then I noticed what looked like a white dust puffing upwards from in front of the hood. Then the dust turned into a spray. Hydraulic fluid was spraying from the grapple. I was in a hurry to get home so I put the tractor away without seeing exactly where the leak was coming from.

I assume the leak is from a fitting or the hose (some branches may have poked the hose?). If it is a loose fitting do I just need to tighten it? If it is a hose can I just disconnect it and get a new one and replace it myself?

 

[Lou_B]

I know the feeling when you see a hydraulic oil spray and don't know where it's coming from. We always seem to assume that the leak a big problem and it will require dealer level expertise to fix.

Most leaks are obvious and easy to fix. Find the leak and go from there. Fittings are easy to tighten and hoses are usually easy to replace. You can do it.

Lou Braun

 

[BadDog]

If it's a loose fitting, just tighten it.

If it's a broken fitting, take it off completely and replace it. Your dealer or the Tractor Supply Company will have replacement hydraulic fittings. Note that hydraulic fittings are different than standard plumbing and household parts, so you can't get them from Home Depot or even at many automotive parts stores.

If it's a split hose or tube, you'll have to replace the hose or pipe.

Most 'good' dealers (any brand) can make you up a new hose with no trouble. Just take off the old one, take it to the dealer and they can usually make you one while you wait.

For metal tubes, most dealers will want to order you one from the manufacturer, or they can make up a hose to replace it. If you go this route, make sure you use enough plastic ties to secure it to the tractor so it doesn't get caught in any moving parts.

If you're really in a bind and don't want to do it yourself there are companies that will come to your location and fix pretty much any hydraulic problem on the spot. I've used Pirtek for this before, they give excellent service and will fix the problem *way* better than new, but they will hit you with a nice charge too.

 

[755inNY]

<font color="blue"> Most leaks are obvious and easy to fix. Find the leak and go from there. Fittings are easy to tighten and hoses are usually easy to replace. You can do it.
</font>

...and you don't need to go to the dealer for the parts. You should be able to find a hydraulic repair shop in your area that can make hoses or sell you the right fitting at a reasonable cost.

BE CAREFUL around pressurized hydraulics!!

Jeff

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto about hyds safety.. use a piece of cardboard to find hi pressure leaks.. NOT YOUR HAND!

Soundguy

 

[RobA]

Thanks for the advice. There won't be a problem finding this leak - the oil was streaming 3 feet in the air. Covered the hood of the tractor. I probably lost 1/2 a quart of fluid in 10 seconds.

Does the system require bleeding of any sort?

 

[TechJ]

FYI -- our local NAPA store has many fittings in stock and makes up the hoses; I've had them make several for me for various add-ons.

 

[slowrev]

Does the system require bleeding of any sort?
//
Sounds like a pressure side leak. After you get the leak fixed it should be self bleeding just run loader, lift, etc thru it's cycles a few times and the air should purge out.
Ben

 

[frank_f15]

one you repair the leak, just cycle all the hydraulics and be sure to top off the fluid, it will self bleed

 

[dmccarty]

Remember what Soundguy said. If the fluid is under pressure and it gets jetted into your skin you have a serious problem. My tractor manual had warnings all over the place about this as well as a phone number to contact JD. The number was for your Dr. to call their Dr. so that they would treat the wound correctly. Failure to do so leads to gangrene....

I had a hose bust on my 4n1 bucket within a few hours of operation. The setup was not done correctly. The hose should have been tied down to the side of the bucket. It was not. With the bucket open a gap would form between the bucket and the cylinder. The hose happened to move into the gap and when I closed the bucket, WHOOSH went the fluid. Scared the you know what out of me.

The tractor had to go back to the dealer for some other issues and the problems where fixed with no charge.

I have noticed that NAPA seems to be able to make the hoses. I have not tried them since I have not needed to since my initial problem.

Later,
Dan