Kubota Flat Hydraulic Connectors - HELP

[JeffroL]

Hi, my Kubota M7060 has flat faced hydraulic connectors for the front loader hydraulic hookup. I have a lot of different implements, and EVERY time I go to change them out the hydraulics in the attachment are so pressurized I cannot connect the hoses. It does not matter how much I try and relax the pressure by working the thumb switch and the front loader hydraulics there's always pressure in the lines. When I disconnect something I'll just for grins reconnect it and it always goes on easily but by the time it cools down then I get back the next time no way I can reattach it. I have to back out the hydraulic lines and bleed off pressure then put everything back then I can attach the implement. It takes an hour or more to do something that should take 5 minutes. Does anyone have experience with this? What are my options here because this is intolerable and it's affecting my work day. Thanks!

 

[AndyMA]

I haven't had an issues like that. When I Googled Reliving Pressure in Flat Faced Connectors it says they done have that problem! LOL

https://www.google.com/search?q=flat+faced+hydraulic+connectors&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS907US907&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[JeffroL]

Haha, well lemme tell ya....they DO. . Right now I'm covered in hydraulic fluid and I just spent about 30 minutes cracking fittings relieving pressure and then it snapped right together. I've never had this problem with the regular pioneer fitting so I'm tempted to just rip every single connector off and replace them all.

 

[Joel/ak]

Got the same problem on our Massey. Before I hook up the lines, I just use a screwdriver to push in the detent. A little fluid comes out but it relieves the pressure.

 

[5030]

Wasn't aware that Kubota was using flat faced connectors on anything but the skid steers. I believe I'd change them out to Pioneer push to connect, breakaway couplers and be done with it. NONE of my hydraulically powered implements have flat face couplers, they are all Pioneer.

 

[grsthegreat]

Read here.

Front-End Loader - Flat Face Hydraulic QC

Been using them for thirty years. Many pros and cons but are my preferred QC for loader 3rd function. Many tools available to help making connections. This is about Xboom coupler QC Mate Available as a complete tool for about $100. Or now can buy just the specialty jaws and use your...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[5030]

Read here.

Front-End Loader - Flat Face Hydraulic QC

Been using them for thirty years. Many pros and cons but are my preferred QC for loader 3rd function. Many tools available to help making connections. This is about Xboom coupler QC Mate Available as a complete tool for about $100. Or now can buy just the specialty jaws and use your...

www.tractorbynet.com

I'm on that thread as well and again I have no connection issues with my Pioneer couplers and I don't need a 'squeeze tool' to connect them either. If there is residual pressure in the male end (implement end), I just take a brass punch and a small hammer and pop the inner check ball to relieve the pressure. Far as I'm concerned, other than on a skid steer, they are worthless and I'd never use them.

 

[grsthegreat]

I'm on that thread as well and again I have no connection issues with my Pioneer couplers and I don't need a 'squeeze tool' to connect them either. If there is residual pressure in the male end (implement end), I just take a brass punch and a small hammer and pop the inner check ball to relieve the pressure. Far as I'm concerned, other than on a skid steer, they are worthless and I'd never use them.

i have to use them on my front snowblower (higer flow rate than pioneer) as their removal would void my warranty. now that the warranty has expired, i could swap them out, but with the new tool, why bother.

i also have pioneer fittings on my tractor, and only thing i dont like about them is they tend to leak if nothing is attached. flat faced are also easier to clean of debris and dirt.

 

[5030]

If they are leaking the check ball isn't seating properly. I plug and unplug mine dozens of times ever year and they don't leak at all.

 

[Smokeydog]

Mostly technique and tools sometimes.

Both tractors have flat face connectors.

 

[mikester]

The OP's problem sounds like a procedural problem.

If you relieve the pressure in the tractor and implement before disconnecting then the issue is your implement storage.

FYI Your tractor engine has to be off to relieve line pressure. If your valves are electric actuated then the engine has to be off but the electrical on to actuate the valves. You should hear the valves actuate and see the lines relax when pressure is relieved.

If you leave implements outside and in the sun you will have problems with pressure build up in the implement. You will need to crack a fitting to relieve pressure built up in the implement.

I keep my attachments indoors and out of the sun and rarely have issues. If I detach in the morning and leave the attachment out in the sun all day I will have to crack a fitting.

 

[JeffroL]

The OP's problem sounds like a procedural problem.

If you relieve the pressure in the tractor and implement before disconnecting then the issue is your implement storage.

FYI Your tractor engine has to be off to relieve line pressure. If your valves are electric actuated then the engine has to be off but the electrical on to actuate the valves. You should hear the valves actuate and see the lines relax when pressure is relieved.

If you leave implements outside and in the sun you will have problems with pressure build up in the implement. You will need to crack a fitting to relieve pressure built up in the implement.

I keep my attachments indoors and out of the sun and rarely have issues. If I detach in the morning and leave the attachment out in the sun all day I will have to crack a fitting.

Normally I would agree with you. But that doesn't seem to be the case for me. I'm careful to relieve all pressure before I disconnect and before I re-connect. It doesn't seem to matter. I know this because after disconnect anything, just for grins, I peridically re-connect them (tractor is still off). They snap right on with zero resistance. So there isn't inherent pressure. But let me tell you - when I go to reconnet. . . impossible. I have to crack a fitting every single time. It's incredibly annoying.

 

[npalen]

You might consider trying this: Before disconnecting the attachment, with the grapple clamp raised and with the engine OFF, lower the clamp all the way. This should induce air into the cylinder(s) so then disconnect the two hoses and plug them into each other for storage to prevent pressure buildup.

 

[JeffroL]

Mostly technique and tools sometimes.
View attachment 758368
View attachment 758369
Both tractors have flat face connectors.

Ordered!!! Hopefully my problems will soon be a thing of the past

 

[LD1]

3 options
1. buy one of them clamp tools
2. Change them out to AG style (iso 5675) couplers that you can manually relieve by popping the poppet or ball
3. Change them to flatface that are designed to connect under pressure.

Its not a lack of bleeding the hydraulics thats causing fits. Its likely the temperature change pressurizing the fluid

 

[npalen]

3 options
1. buy one of them clamp tools
2. Change them out to AG style (iso 5675) couplers that you can manually relieve by popping the poppet or ball
3. Change them to flatface that are designed to connect under pressure.

Its not a lack of bleeding the hydraulics thats causing fits. Its likely the temperature change pressurizing the fluid

That's why I'm suggesting that inducing a little air before disconnecting might alleviate the high pressure fluid buildup.

 

[mikester]

Normally I would agree with you. But that doesn't seem to be the case for me. I'm careful to relieve all pressure before I disconnect and before I re-connect. It doesn't seem to matter. I know this because after disconnect anything, just for grins, I peridically re-connect them (tractor is still off). They snap right on with zero resistance. So there isn't inherent pressure. But let me tell you - when I go to reconnet. . . impossible. I have to crack a fitting every single time. It's incredibly annoying.

Are your front remotes activated with a manual valve or push button?

I shut my tractor off and relieve the pressure on the loader with the valve buttons prior to hooking up too. I can hear the solenoids activate. Try this - put a re-useable sip tie or strong rubber band to hold the button in when you reconnect the new implement.

I have a hydraulics flow ON switch wired into my circuit for running some constant flow attachments. I just toggle it on (with engine off of course) prior to hook up. The quick connectors work 99% of the time this way for me unless my attachment has been sitting outside on a hot sunny day.

 

[otherpinz]

Always connect the couplers together when removing any attachment with flat face couplers. A change in temperature is enough to pressurize the system.