Replacing all hoses on '67 Ford backhoe

Armymutt · Nov 15, 2019

My '67 Ford 4500 has reached the point where it uses more hydraulic fluid than fuel. I need to get the hoses replaced, but don't have the time to do it. I am recovering from a motorcycle vs drunk driver in SUV collision back in August, and my foot is pretty damaged. What kind of a shop would I look for to handle this sort of work at a reasonable rate? Would they do it on site, or need to take the machine to their shop? My usual guy doesn't have the means to transport it to his place - he generally works on classic tractors of the same era, but not of this size. The backhoe portion is going to have to come off the tractor in order to access the hoses under the back deck. I've been down there before, but I had to have the neighbor bring over his big loader to get it back together. The backhoe sank and the tractor couldn't back up to it properly.

ovrszd · Nov 15, 2019

My 555A hoses look pretty rough. None leak. I just wait for one to rupture and then I'll replace it.

I don't think I've saw hoses seep. Are you sure the leaks are coming out of the rubber portion of your hoses? Are they all leaking?

Maybe try to chase the leaks one at a time and replace only what's necessary?

I think it would be shocking how much a shop would charge to replace all the hoses!!!

fried1765 · Nov 15, 2019

Armymutt said:
My '67 Ford 4500 has reached the point where it uses more hydraulic fluid than fuel. I need to get the hoses replaced, but don't have the time to do it. I am recovering from a motorcycle vs drunk driver in SUV collision back in August, and my foot is pretty damaged. What kind of a shop would I look for to handle this sort of work at a reasonable rate? Would they do it on site, or need to take the machine to their shop? My usual guy doesn't have the means to transport it to his place - he generally works on classic tractors of the same era, but not of this size. The backhoe portion is going to have to come off the tractor in order to access the hoses under the back deck. I've been down there before, but I had to have the neighbor bring over his big loader to get it back together. The backhoe sank and the tractor couldn't back up to it properly.

You need to find yourself a shade tree tractor mechanic.
You will likely need to borrow or rent a trailer.
I had a 1970 Ford 3400 TLB (a bit smaller than your 4500), and found a one man repair shop to do the work.
I had my machine in rural Canada for the Summer, so had the work done there.
As I recall, the labor ($30 CAD per hr.) was about $800 CAD ($600 USD), and I provided the hoses.
Even at at small rural independent shop in the US, you might have to pay $75 per hour.
I suspect the complete job cost could approach $5K if done by a tractor dealer.

ovrszd - obviously has the least costly idea.
Just replace the hoses as they continue to fail, but of course,...... they could also burst, and at the worst possible times/places.
I too wanted the job all done at once, to never deal with again.
Then: A year later, I sold the Ford, and bought a 2006 Kubota L48 TLB.
A 36 year upgrade.
Love it!

Armymutt · Nov 15, 2019

Is the Kubota as powerful as the 4500? I haven't seen anything that has the same lifting power on the boom. In addition to digging, I also use it with a thumb to move logs around and to hold them so I can saw them. Lately, I've been using it to rip bushes out from the stream bank to make it accessible.

4570Man · Nov 15, 2019

The 4500 is a tad stronger than my m59. But the Kubotas will still work circles around the old backhoes. If maximum brute force was the goal skip the Kubota TLBs and get a full size 310. I had a 310 and traded it for the M59. So far I’m happy with the trade.

DJ54 · Nov 16, 2019

I operated a 550 TLB with the same hoe unit on it, back in the late 70's/early 80's, when I worked for ODOT. Those hoeses can be accessed, and changed through the portals in the swing tower. Not an easy job, but it can be done.

A set of crow foot wrenches are the ticket to get on the connections. Once they are broke loose, they turn pretty easy.

I've changed several of the hoses on my Case 480C through the gap in the back of the swing tower, which doesn't have the side portals, like the Ford. Using a crow foot wrench to break them loose, then a stubby wrench I cut down from a cheap Chinese set of wrenches I used to carry in my work truck, to make another few short turns, to get it to the point where I could turn it with my fingers.

I tagged each hose, and the fitting where it connected, so I knew where they went. It made the job much easier. It is a messy job, and at times felt it would be easier if I were a contortionist, but I got it done. I'm not a small guy, so that didn't make it any easier.

I'd highly suggest if you do happen to tackle the job, and do it in a shop, to get a couple of bags of floor dry, you're going to need it..!!

ovrszd · Nov 16, 2019

DJ54 said:
I operated a 550 TLB with the same hoe unit on it, back in the late 70's/early 80's, when I worked for ODOT. Those hoeses can be accessed, and changed through the portals in the swing tower. Not an easy job, but it can be done.

A set of crow foot wrenches are the ticket to get on the connections. Once they are broke loose, they turn pretty easy.

I've changed several of the hoses on my Case 480C through the gap in the back of the swing tower, which doesn't have the side portals, like the Ford. Using a crow foot wrench to break them loose, then a stubby wrench I cut down from a cheap Chinese set of wrenches I used to carry in my work truck, to make another few short turns, to get it to the point where I could turn it with my fingers.

I tagged each hose, and the fitting where it connected, so I knew where they went. It made the job much easier. It is a messy job, and at times felt it would be easier if I were a contortionist, but I got it done. I'm not a small guy, so that didn't make it any easier.

I'd highly suggest if you do happen to tackle the job, and do it in a shop, to get a couple of bags of floor dry, you're going to need it..!!

Yep, just when you think it can't be done you finally figure out a way. It's very frustrating for sure. Remember, someone tightened that fitting when it was built.

I think you are being optimistic concerning the amount of floor dry needed.....