Leaking fitting?

paulinkansas · May 7, 2010

I bought a used tractor. Most of the hose connections in the FEL hydraulic system seem to be made with black or galvanized pipe. This is the kind of pipe used for natural gas or water plumbing.

One of the connections leaks around the threads. I can push it tighter with my pinkie, but when I push the fitting tighter it's just twisting the hose that's attached. The hose untwists itself and loosens up the fitting as soon as I let go of it.

My questions are this: How do I tighten the connection if there is no kind of swivel in the other side of the hose? Shouldn't the hydraulic system have some better fittings than can be found in the plumbing section of a hardware store? Should I replace some of the fittings with a swivel kind of connection?

Just Bill · May 7, 2010

Hello
Low pressure fittings shouldn't be used in hyd systems .
There looks to be a swivel at the left side of the Tee.
You will probably need to disassemble the connections and replumb with the right fittings and sealant.

mmurphy · May 7, 2010

My suggestion is take that off. Take it with you to an implement dealer or hydraulic shop, show them what you have that needs replaced. Most hardware stores I have been in do not carry what you need.

J_J · May 7, 2010

Be safe, and use hyd fittings, not galvanized pipe. A swivel fitting should be used on just about every hose, to prevent what you said happened.

Egon · May 7, 2010

Chances are three of those fittings will come off allowing you to tighten that loose one.

On the loose one you could cut the nipple and replace it with two nipples and a union.

As mentioned best to go to a competent shop and get the proper pressure fittings and plumbed up correctly.:thumbsup:

Soundguy · May 10, 2010

I agree. While I've certainly seen, and used some of those fittings on older antique tractors with lower pressure systems.. they are for sure not ideal and not reccomended.

napa and tsc both ahve a somewhat decent sleection of fittings.. should be able to fix you right up.

I'd go with swivel fittings.. probably the reason you don't have swivels, is that on pipe fittings, there is a bevel cut into the male pipe for the female swivel pipe.. and those black iron or galvanized plumbing fittings don't have the face angle for it.. so couldn't be used.

get the right stuff and be safe.

soundguy