Pinched Hydraulic Tube Should I Replace?

[bcs001]

I was using a subsoiler to pull some large roots and one came up under the rear of the tractor, caught bottom edge of the PTO cover and pushed to top corner up into one of the two metal hydraulic tubes and partially pinching it. I'm not exactly sure what this tube is supplying but is it possibly the PTO drive on this Hydrostat Branson 3620H? I've been using a tiller and have not noticed any performance problems but interested to get opinions on if I might cause any damage if I don't replace the tube.

Here are some photos. The first shows where the tube is located on the rear of the tractor before the PTO cover got pushed up.

 

[Zebrafive]

My worry would be a restriction causing excessive heat build up. I would be inclined to replace it.

 

[zzvyb6]

Cut the dent out and splice it with a tube splice connector. Worked just fine for me get the stainless one for high pressure just in case.

 

[WranglerX]

I would "FIX" it ..Either repair or replace.... Dent like the is a failure point (stress riser) that could cause tube to crack or bust at anytime specially if it high pressure line ... Probably at worst time for user...

 

[rScotty]

I would look at the parts book and shop manual to figure out exactly what that tube does and then use that to guide my decision.
If it is a high pressure supply line to something that uses a lot of flow -like the HST- I'd replace it.
But there isn't any downside to first checking what it does.
rScotty

 

[ptsg]

That tube is indeed for the PTO clutch pack. It comes from a solenoid valve on the right side of the transmission housing, then it feeds the PTO clutch pack with those two steel lines. One of the lines is pressure to the clutch pack, the other is lubrication to the clutch pack.

I don't think that pinch will cause any harm as the lines look slightly oversized for the flow that goes through it.

That being said, it's always better to fix it as it may cause a stress point and eventually crack with vibrations.

 

[PILOON]

I'd want to consider costs B4 proceeding, but that's me.
Many options:
-cut/splice
-OEM part
-local hydraulic repair shop

OEM will most likely be she highest cost, cut/splice calls 4 tooling and material and then is it metric or SAE?
If U have one nearby most likely a good shop is your best option however they will want the damaged line to copy it and then there will be some down time.

If it were me, I'd cut and braze an oversized sleeve splice but then I have the tools needed.

Oh, another option would be hydraulic hose that is same length and fittings. (might just be most practical and least costly) but not the prettiest.

 

[Richard]

15 years ago I was cleaning up an area after the farm was timbered. I rolled over a branch (spear) and as the rear tire rolled over it, the branch stood on end and essentially speared one of the lines that held the boom up.

I noticed it when the boom fell like "right now" (it's amazing how quickly something can fall once the support is gone). Anyway, walked home, came back with wrench to take hose off and get new one.

After I went back to put the replacement hose on, I noticed that I also had some metal bends up there and one of them had been compressed, much like your picture.

I figured I'd wait & see if it became an issue...besides, I was a mile from home and had to hobble home once it was fixed.

Today, 15 years later, I still have that dented line. I'll concede that the hoe doesn't get as much use as it might have when it was new (since I'm not doing anything commercial with it) and when I Do use the hoe, it's to maybe dig a stump or lift something.

Power/speed of the hoe in all directions doesn't appear to have changed and even if it has, it's fast enough or powerful enough that I can't notice.

I'd be tempted to watch it for a bit to see if anything happens.

I might add this is presuming it's an expensive fix. If it's not too expensive, then I would probably just fix it for peace of mind if nothing else.

 

[bcs001]

All good points. Where the kink is is not straight enough to just cut it out and put a union/coupler back in. Same for brazing in a new section of pipe. I did determine its the high pressure side of the PTO clutch control so I will price the replacement part and if its not outrageously expensive, just replace it for "peace of mind" because as we all know, if its going to fail in the future it will happen at the most inopportune time possible.

I appreciate all the great input.