Kubota B21 Backhoe blowing 3x Hydraulic Lines

[yubby]

Have an interesting problem with my TLB751 on my Kubota, was curious if it is bad luck or something else causing the issue?

Preface:
The backhoe has sat in the sun much of its life, the tractor is 10 years old and I have owned it for 5 of those years replacing exactly one backhoe hose. In May I noticed a leak on the backhoe when stumping some large oaks (24"+). I parked the backhoe and continued on with my construction project after pulling the last stump (adding a shed to store the tractor and boat). I parked the backhoe for the next four months (in the northern california sun..).

The first leak I noticed was on the main supply line to the backhoe, took a trip to the hyd store and dropped $46.00 on a hose. Put that hose on and noticed a leak on the return now.. That hose required a 90 degree fitting so another $47.50. So finally got those two on and things are looking pretty good, go to raise the backhoe at the stablizer hydraulic line springs a leak right in front of me (on the boat of course!).

After laughing a bit about it, began wondering why 3 hydraulic lines would fail within a couple of minutes of use.

In theory the backhoe should have an independent pressure relief as well as the pressure relief from the main tractor, but this could be a possible cause.

I have a couple thoughts, but wanted to see what else I should look at??

-Hydraulic pressure check on relief valve (by loader controls)
-Bad sun damage karma on the hoses (the return was mostly shielded from the sun)

Has anyone seen a similar problem? The loader hoses are not failing.

Thanks!

-yubby

 

[KennyV]

The loader hoses will be next... they are all age UV exposure failures.... enjoy, KennyV

 

[NC4AB]

Pretty much my experience. Once the hoses start blowing you become a frequent customer at your local hydraulic hose supply house until you get them all replaced.

 

[yubby]

Well I am now on a first name basis with the local Hydraulic Hose supply, thinking about opening an account

I did notice that the 3pt <> Backhoe switch was on 3 point. I have never had a problem with that before, but maybe it is adding incremental stress to the system?

Will update on the outcome after hose #3.

Thanks!

 

[troutsqueezer]

My B21 is also 10 years old. I actually had two loader hoses fail within 30 minutes of each other. Several weeks later, two more failed. It seems when they go, they go. I decided to replace all of the loader hoses at that point. I replaced them with Pirtek hoses, guaranteed to outlast the tractor but man, it was not cheap.

 

[NC4AB]

Good, luck the best that you can hope for is that you are close to the barn when you blow a hose and the hydraulic hose supply house is open the next day.

Seemed like mine typically blew out on Friday afternoon at 5:15 :-(

I have had decent luck with getting hoses made on the weekend at the local NAPA, they were a little cheaper than the Parker dealer, but the NAPA hose did not seem to be as heavy duty as the Parker hoses.

 

[yubby]

Replaced the third hose, put the selector on backhoe and all was good for the first quarter hour! Hopefully the rest of the hoses don't fail, because each hose is running near $50 at the hose shop!

Will get some heavy use next week and see if there are any more failures.

Thanks!

Good, luck the best that you can hope for is that you are close to the barn when you blow a hose and the hydraulic hose supply house is open the next day.

Seemed like mine typically blew out on Friday afternoon at 5:15 :-(

I have had decent luck with getting hoses made on the weekend at the local NAPA, they were a little cheaper than the Parker dealer, but the NAPA hose did not seem to be as heavy duty as the Parker hoses.