hose clamps coming loose

jimg · Oct 25, 2004

Just wondered if anyone else is having hose clamps on the flex sections of the hydraulic system loosing up over time? When I 1st got my tractor there were a couple that leaked after a few hours. I thought the problem fixed until winter hit. Then I had to tighten a couple more. This summer all was good. Now that the weather has turned cool I found yet another leak....on a section behind the plastic 'dash'. Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing?

bgott · Oct 25, 2004

Screw type hose clamps really kind of suck. You need to check the tension after installation and make sure you don't over tighten and strip the thing. It doesn't hurt to go over all of them and check them occationally. If they keep giving you problems go to a wrecking yard and find some of the constant tension hose clamps that they use on newer cars. A lot of mechanics hate them, they can be miserable to work with if you don't have a couple pairs of the $65 and up pliers made special for them. I love 'em, if you have the hose completely over the nipple and the clamp square and past the lip on the end of the nipple they will never leak. I've had too many comebacks over the years due to the screw type clamp joints leaking after a few heat/ cool cycles, none on the spring clamps.

Soundguy · Oct 26, 2004

Is it somehting you can replace the clamp with a new clean one, tighten and then use loctite green on? Or possible use some the 'jaw' type grippers used to hold the hyd hose with wire on to nipples.

Soundguy

jimg · Oct 26, 2004

Thanx for the comments! It seems as though they really need to be cranked down all the way...what the dealer told me. Ive always heard this isnt good for the hose as it winds up cutting it. At any rate one problem I think is that when pumping cold fluid the pressure must be more than when its warm. I have thought about changing out the clamps but really couldnt think of what to replace them w/. I also thought about locktite but wasnt sure it would work unless I put alot on the screw/band interface. I wasnt sure tha would hold it. So far all of the clamps Ive tightened have stayed leak free so prehaps its just a matter of correcting a mfging/assy problem.

bgott · Oct 27, 2004

If you just retighten the clamps you'll probably be OK. Don't use Loctite, it won't work and it will make a mess. Loctite threadlockers are anaerobic sealers. That means they cure in the absence of air. As in between threaded fasteners, like a nut and bolt. the screw and slotted band on a hose clamp has very little contact area and isn't enclosed like a threaded nut and bolt so there is going to plenty of air in the joint. Plus, even if you did get it to hold, Loctite green is a heat to release formula. that would make it kind of interesting to change the hoses when the time comes. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Soundguy · Oct 27, 2004

( Loctite threadlockers are anaerobic sealers. That means they cure in the absence of air )

They however don't cure in the bottle..

I used red loctite at the water meter factory I worked at while going to night school. I assure you the red will set up setting out in in full air quite nicely. When we hit the bolts with loctite and then started adding them to the top covers on the meter.. if you didn't hurry.. when you got to the last bolts.. they were red hard and shiny.

( Loctite green is a heat to release formula. that would make it kind of interesting to change the hoses when the time comes. )

We use that loctite green as a vibration-loosening preventer, as it is applied after assembly.

It is good for that.. for set screws and such.. however under pressure of a tool twisting the screw/nut.. it chews up quick.

When I'm assembling standoff legs on PC-boards I always use a dab of green after assembly... And again.. when I go into disassemble.. it only takes about 2x the normal pressure to 'break' the seal.. then the screws come out fine... been using it sine I found the stuff onthe shelf... makes a great tamper-evident seal that is not permanent.

Soundguy

bgott · Oct 28, 2004

I've never had red Loctite set up to the point I couldn't use it after I've put it on a bolt but I've always applied it and stuck 'em right in. I'm not saying it can't, it just hasn't happened to me. I've had it dry out in the bottle, maybe the solvent dries out and it isn't really "set" per se. Most of the time I've removed the red with an impact. I've never used the green, just read about it.

jimg · Dec 14, 2004

So, I've finally figured out whats up w/ the leaking problem on my tractor -- the cheesy hose clamps that NH uses. It turns out the clamps rely on the screw to cut detents in the band. This is diff from the clamps Im used to which have detents precut and the screw engages them. The stock clamp works to a pt until its tightened too far and then it slips (if you continue to tighten) eventually destroying the band. Replacing them w/ std clamps solves the leaking problem. Just thought Id pass this info along in case anyone is having problems w/ leaking.