Looks like I bent the coupling for the loader

MoPops · May 24, 2016

Not sure when it happened, I was clearing some ground of brush and downed trees. When I got back to the barn, I was going to raise the bucket all the way up. It comes up about two feet and stops. No more..
I checked the hydraulic connections (from reading the post earlier about hydraulics.)
I found the outside hose, of the four, that connect about below the pedals, was disconnected. It seems at a slightly different angle than the other three connections. I pulled the collar back and tried to reconnect it. I couldn't get it to connect. I can't get pushed it in as far as the other three connections. Is there a trick to getting the hydraulic connections seated all the way in? Or, more than likely, I've bent something and need to replace those connections..
I'm obviously new to a lot of this stuff. Thanks for any help?

mecan · May 24, 2016

It sounds like to much pressure keeping it from connecting. With tractor off move the loader joystick around to relieve pressure then try and connect again.

k0ua · May 24, 2016

MoPops said:
Not sure when it happened, I was clearing some ground of brush and downed trees. When I got back to the barn, I was going to raise the bucket all the way up. It comes up about two feet and stops. No more..
I checked the hydraulic connections (from reading the post earlier about hydraulics.)
I found the outside hose, of the four, that connect about below the pedals, was disconnected. It seems at a slightly different angle than the other three connections. I pulled the collar back and tried to reconnect it. I couldn't get it to connect. I can't get pushed it in as far as the other three connections. Is there a trick to getting the hydraulic connections seated all the way in? Or, more than likely, I've bent something and need to replace those connections..
I'm obviously new to a lot of this stuff. Thanks for any help?

get out two wrenches and start to unscrew the coupler from the hose. Let the fluid come out until the loader boom is on the ground and relaxed. Now with no more pressure in the line tighten the hose to connector connection to make it secure again. It might be a good idea to have a shop towel handy.

Another option is to take a small clean wooden dowel and place it inside a female coupler and hit it with a hammer to press on the ball to let the fluid out. Again a towel around it would be good. You are going to get sprayed.

If the coupler is a male you can just wrap a shop towel around it and hit it with a clean wooden hammer handle to force the ball in and let the fluid squirt out.

OR, you could get a jack and jack up the lift arms slightly to take the weight off of them. This will release pressure on the lift cylinders, and release the pressure on the connector. Once the pressure is off of the connector you will be able to slip it in or on the other connector on the tractor with ease. Of course the tractor needs to be off and pressure relieved on the joystick. If this don't fix it, yeah maybe the connectors are damaged.. But try one of these methods of relieving the pressure first.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

SSdoxie · May 24, 2016

Put the joystick in float position then using a brass pin or wood dowel push in on the female QD poppet to make sure there is no pressure, then look inside the QD to make sure the poppet is setting square and not hung, canted at an angle. Then wrap the male coupler with a rag and holding it at the hose behind the coupler, push the male coupler poppet against a hard surface to release any pressure in the line. Now it should slide back in easily.

mecan · May 24, 2016

Tractor off for any of the above

SSdoxie · May 24, 2016

Yes, engine OFF for all of it.

MoPops · May 24, 2016

Wow! Fantastic information. I may be able to handle this by myself.. Ha.
Thanks all, for all the good tips. I'll try them all. Both male and female connections were very clean, as it had not come completely apart, just about 1/8" out.
Thanks again

MoPops · May 30, 2016

FYI, reconnection was a breeze after I had the bucket set down, engine off, moved the lever every direction, including feather. Managed to press in on both ends of the connector. It went right back together.
Needless to say, I feel a bit like an idiot, because it sure was easy. Works great now.
Got a new 5' rotary cutter today. Land Pride (pretty well used, in ok condition) it is a nice improvement over my even older Mowhawk cutter..