Pressure in FEL lines when re-hooking loader

[mark2610d]

Sometimes (but not every time) I go to re-install my 724 loader back up I find that I have excess pressure in the loader lines to the point they will not connect without breaking the lines and bleeding off some pressure. Anyone else have this problem?

What causes this? Is there something that I need to do to keep this from happening when un-hooking the loader? All help appreciated.

 

[radioman]

I did have this problem. two things basically causes this. 1. not bleeding off before disconnecting 2. changes in temps.

solve first problem when you turn off the tractor, move fel stick in all positions. up/down, left/right. Luckily on my BX I can go in circles a couple times and it does the job.

the second problem is basically when you leave the FEL in the sun, pressure goes up in the hoses. the asnwer is obvious here - put it in shade or wait till the temps go down like hook up first thing in morning.

 

[Couple of Achers]

One other thing is to make sure of is before you unhook the hoses, make sure the bottom of you bucket is flat on the ground. If it is not, then the weight of the loader will be on the cylinders and put pressure on the couplers. Before I started doing this, at times the pressure would be so great I would have to take a punch and a hammer to the coupler to release the pressure.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Had this problem with my BX2660 and it gave me fits. Finally loosened one of the hoses to relieve pressure.

 

[northernjake]

I believe everyone has covered the causes and solutions from having experienced the same as you describe. I'm sure you are aware, but someone has to be the "safety police", take every precaution when releasing pressure from the lines /couplers. That oil will penetrate your skin faster than you can say ouch. We don't want to hear of any mishaps.

Take care,
Jake

 

[soulasphil]

I often have this problem with the loader on my JD 3520 due to the weight of components on the cylinders. Can't put the bucket flat on the ground or the quick-attach won't come off. Pressing the male couplers briefly against a metal surface will bleed them enough to solve the problem.

 

[CurlyDave]

The permanent solution is to get an extra pair of connectors and loosely plug the pipe thread end so dust entry is prevented, but there is a slight leak. Put the extra connectors on the hoses promptly when you take the loader off. This will automatically bleed off excess pressure from thermal expansion as it happens.

 

[northernjake]

Great idea Curly Dave!
Then I'll just let them drip into a coffee can or something.

Thanks,
Jake

 

[coreshot]

Pressing the male couplers briefly against a metal surface will bleed them enough to solve the problem.

^
That's the way I've had to do it. Works great.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I often have this problem with the loader on my JD 3520 due to the weight of components on the cylinders. Can't put the bucket flat on the ground or the quick-attach won't come off. Pressing the male couplers briefly against a metal surface will bleed them enough to solve the problem.

This sounds so easy and simple....not. I tryed it and could never get it to release the pressure. A metal surface would be specifically what? How do you get that metal surface to press in the ball to release pressure? I'm sure I could whack it with a punch if I had enough hands. Guess these methods of pressing with a metal surface can't cause damage? I like the extra connector idea but I'm not 100% sure I'm understanding it. Send pictures! Also if I can't get original connector to attach to relieve pressure, how am I going to get the extra one to do it?

 

[northernjake]

John,
The way Curly Dave explains it, I think I understand. If the loader hose ends are male (I believe), get the matching female ends to snap on as soon as you remove the loader. If you lightly threaded a plug into the threaded end of the female coupler so as not to hold pressure, when the heat built up pressure in the lines, it would leak through the couplers. Or to exagerate, rather than lightly thread a plug, stuff a bit of a rag in the threaded end.
I hope I have captured Daves intent, and if so, I hope you are clearer.

Jake

 

[KU Gator]

I had the same problem. It is always with the middle two connectors on mine. I keep a large diameter bolt in my tool box. If the connectors do not go right on, I press it into the center pin on the female connector which is still on the loader and it releases the pressure. Obviously keeping it away from my face. Since I learned to do this, I have never had a problem getting it back on, but even with a lot of wiggling of the control after shutting off the engine and before disconnecting it was a struggle if I left the loader in the sun.

 

[CurlyDave]

This thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/150149-trouble-connecting-skid-steer-quick.html covers the problem and has a link to a previous thread where I show pictures of how to use a caulking gun to force a recalcitrant set of hydraulic connectors together.

Jake has it exactly right. I have one male and one female connector on my lines so I use one of each, but it works the same if you need two males or two females.

The skid-steer typ flat faced connectors I have are notoriously difficult to connect if there is any residual pressure in the lines, but it works with any style connector.

 

[BotaBigot]

...the second problem is basically when you leave the FEL in the sun, pressure goes up in the hoses. the asnwer is obvious here - put it in shade or wait till the temps go down like hook up first thing in morning.

X1

The only times I had this problem, FEL (or BH) were R&R-ed outside...soooo, now I only R&R them in the barn. No more problem.

 

[gogreen]

On my 3520 I have the same problem. I always move the joystick after the tractor is off before I hook up to relieve any pressure in the system. Most of the time they will go ahead and hook up with some extra force pushing them in. If the pressure in the lines is too much, I will bump the nipple on the connector against a solid place on the front axle housing to release the pressure. Always with gloves on. I will have it in my fist barely sticking out so the glove covers any spray of fluid. Unless it is alot of pressure, there is just a little bit of spray that comes out and it hooks right up.

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

Mark -
I have the 724 loader on my L3830. The manual will tell you that after you get the loader on to its supports and uncoupled from its cradle you need to move the joy stick in all the directions to release the pressure in the lines. I found this out the hard way. Only then do you uncouple the quick disconnects and plug them. I guess excessive heating of the lines in the sun could do it too, though I never experienced that problem. Hope all this advice helps. Mike

 

[radioman]

Mark -
I have the 724 loader on my L3830. The manual will tell you that after you get the loader on to its supports and uncoupled from its cradle you need to move the joy stick in all the directions to release the pressure in the lines. I found this out the hard way. Only then do you uncouple the quick disconnects and plug them. I guess excessive heating of the lines in the sun could do it too, though I never experienced that problem. Hope all this advice helps. Mike

I made the same comment above. However it would help with tractor off before doing that .

 

[npalen]

Wrap a rag around the end of the male tip and press it down into a can or bucket to relieve pressure.