Flat Face Couplers.... Hate Them So Far

[Industrial Toys]

If they hit the slightest hard objects on return to earth, they are junk anyway. Another thing I detest about them.

 

[rademamj1]

Sorry, I don't understand that. IF there is pressure in the lines, you can't release the pressure into the lines, hence the whole problem. IF, there is pressue in the lines, the only means of relieving pressure is to have the machine do it, have a coupler that pisses out oil, or directs it elsewhere.

Apparently, they have added a small chamber to the hydraulic lines. So when you want to remove trapped pressure out of the line, it moves fluid out of the line and into the chamber. Then during normal machine operations a piston clears the fluid out if the chamber back into the line and resets the chamber for next trapped pressure cycle.

 

[ruffdog]

Apparently, they have added a small chamber to the hydraulic lines. So when you want to remove trapped pressure out of the line, it moves fluid out of the line and into the chamber. Then during normal machine operations a piston clears the fluid out if the chamber back into the line and resets the chamber for next trapped pressure cycle.

"Trapped line pressure can make attachment changes anything but easy. Toolcat utility work machines feature quick couplers to release trapped pressure. When you push the coupler inward, hydraulic oil is released through a return line back into the machine. The result is a clean, quick attachment change every time."

Maybe it dumps the pressure to the 3rd hose through passages in the hose manifold?

 

[dstig1]

I just came in from my shed, 75* today, indoors, tractor has been sitting for 24 hours and all pressure relieved multiple times on both the tractor and implement side (and 3rd function valve with the key on but engine off. I removed 1 FF coupler by the grapple and oil poured out. I'll be replacing with Pioneer. I've never had this issue before and getting old enough to not want to fight it.

I have a high degree of confidence that I can probably throw them at least 45 yards back in my woods before they hit the ground. :thumbsup:

That isn't normal behavior for those. I'd say you have one or more bad connectors. Perhaps a call for warranty would be in order?

Now getting them back together requires the force of Thor as others have noted. I have adapted methods to it, and am thinking about an even better one I want to try soon.

 

[mikester]

That isn't normal behavior for those. I'd say you have one or more bad connectors. Perhaps a call for warranty would be in order?

Now getting them back together requires the force of Thor as others have noted. I have adapted methods to it, and am thinking about an even better one I want to try soon.

I agree.

To the OP, once the seal gets damaged its toast. If its a new tractor go back to the dealer and ask them to fix it. Out of curiosity check out who the manufacturer is for your FF coupler. Maybe you got lucky with some new chinesium model.

My personal experience and preference is for FF couplers because they are a LOT cleaner and less dirt issues than the pioneers. I've never had one leak the way you described. (knocking on wood)

 

[Bavarian]

If you can't get the problem solved, before you switch pioneer couplers, look into single point connectors. They are aesy to connect with the flip of a lever. Ou never have to fiddle around which one is to open or to close. They are supposed to be connected and disconnected under pressure.

 

[rademamj1]

I think the Kubota already comes with a single point connection for the FEL. It certainly does make FEL removal easy.

 

[LindenBruce]

I have seen lots of Pioneer AND Parker couplers leak when being disconnected. Happens all the time. Just the nature of the beast. The flat face couplers DO seem to leak considerably less when de-coupled. BUT, I am not saying they are impervious to leakage. They can and do. Just not nearly as much fluid loss. B.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Our JD 6200 has pioneer couplers that are one handed, failed quite early and cost around a hundred bucks each to replace.

Funny, they have these plastic boots coupled together with hoses and T fittings that go into a "little" plastic bottle to catch the drips! Nice to think of the environment, but I wonder if they ever see what happens when a high capacity hydraulic machine busts a hose?

 

[Frankenkubota]

Again yesterday. Buddy came by for free rocks so I had to remove pallet forks and put the 4 in 1 on.

First FF coupler no problem, second no way. I致e learned to keep jerking around with the stick and relay buttons, keep moving stuff around.

In my case, I made the bucket move a little and bingo, went in easy. Never quite sure what did, but so far, with a lot of screwing around, I致e been able to get them on.

 

[sixdogs]

I think the Kubota already comes with a single point connection for the FEL. It certainly does make FEL removal easy.

If you mean the one lever loader couplers with flat face connections, I have those on two tractors and love them. There is no leak or even any seepage and I can easily remove pressure by wiggling the joy stick after I shut things down. I know nothing about flat face couplers and didn't even know what they were but like these so far after 18 months. That's my story on these.

 

[rademamj1]

If you mean the one lever loader couplers with flat face connections, I have those on two tractors and love them. There is no leak or even any seepage and I can easily remove pressure by wiggling the joy stick after I shut things down. I know nothing about flat face couplers and didn't even know what they were but like these so far after 18 months. That's my story on these.

Yes Indeed, that's what I was referring to. The one lever loader couplers with flat face connections. I seen them demonstrated on a Messicks video. Absolutely brilliant move by Kubota to put those on their tractors.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If they had a relief button (that didn't fail) on them, and you could grab them with a rag, to soak up the oil, that would suit me fine.

 

[Smokeydog]

Prefer the the flat face connectors over the pioneer and have converted most equipment. Bit of a learning curve and made a special tool to clamp together connections if all else fails. The screw together quick connectors under pressure are the best but are pricey. Trencher boom attachment for the Kubota B20 had that. Enerpac uses 10,000psi screw together couplers. There are options.

 

[ruffdog]

This guy explaines all the different types of couplers and shows them on the tractors. One thing I noticed at about 13:15 in the video is he says you line up two holes on the flat faced ones to connect/disconnect.

The Basics: Understanding ISO 5675 Hydraulic Rear Remote Couplers - YouTube

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

... Also there is a dedicated installing tool for these that couple hard.

Please post additional info about this tool.

 

[madhouse]

I can't speak to the original poster's question about leaky flatfaced connectors - I've never encountered that problem. As far as difficult to connect - I've developed an almost-fool-proof method of disconnecting my grapple that significantly aids in reconnecting the hoses. When I disconnect the grapple, I leave it open a few inches. I disconnect the hydraulic lines from the tractor and connect the hoses to each other. This allows all of the pressure to dissipate as the grapple closes. When the grapple closes the piston in the closing cylinder moves in the direction of the rod. The rod takes up space inside the cylinder - so consequently as the piston moves the volume increases in the open end of the cylinder more than the volume decreases in the rod end - relieving the pressure and making it significantly easier to reconnect - even if the sun comes out and warms things up.