Leaking Hydr. hose

[cutiger95]

Guys,

One of the hoses that connect to my front end loader is leaking. I am hoping it is not a big deal to change out a hose, but am curious if the hoses are under pressure. Is there anything in particular that I need to watch out for when changing out this hose?

Thank you in advance,
Chris

 

[GWD]

Guys,

One of the hoses that connect to my front end loader is leaking. I am hoping it is not a big deal to change out a hose, but am curious if the hoses are under pressure. Is there anything in particular that I need to watch out for when changing out this hose?

Thank you in advance,
Chris

Shut off the tractor and move the lift lever to all points of the compass, round-and-round a couple of times. That should take off all of the pressure.

Also make sure bucket is flat on the ground.

Changing out the hose is simple if it has swivel attachments on both ends. If it has a swivel on one end only then take that end off and unscrew the other end with a wrench and twist the hose.

If the swivels are frozen you can just cut the hose in half and then remove the halves.

Hoses can be made at most Napa auto stores and likely other places if you call around. They are a bit less expensive than an OEM hose and can be made whatever length you want.

Take in the old hose to get the correct length and fitting size. Swivel fittings on both ends are recommended.

 

[cutiger95]

This is why I love this site so much! Thank you for that great feedback and detailed response. I greatly appreciate it!!!

 

[Stubbyie]

Depending where you live you'll get better hose and wider range of possible fittings at a real hose supply house not a "we make hoses" auto supply store. You may have to call around but it will be worth the effort to find one. Large tractor repair places or co-op type ag supply stores can be a good source (our local TSC just carries a few ready-mades). Call your local city maintenance yard and ask the foreman where they get hoses for their heavy trucks and eqpt.

My experience at NAPA and O'Reilley is that you get the hose they happen to have regardless of pressure rating and physical size and sometimes they want to stack adapters to get the thread you need thus making your new hose flex differently than its mate on the other side or incorrect for its length.

May not make a lot of difference on a FEL but sometimes hose sizes outside diameter can be a problem fitting in a limited area or for hold-down clamps.

When installing especially on the swivel end you can hold a backup just above the swivel to get it to orient like you want it and not twist it into a knot shortening hose life.

Stay with OEM lengths they are like that for a reason.

If you try cutting a hose you'll need a handheld grinder with a cutoff wheel and safety glasses. Bolt cutters or hacksaw won't work and recip saw will snag bad on internal wires. I won't cut a hose on the machine near a fitting for fear of getting metal particles into the system---if you have to cut, cut in the middle of the hose and crimp both sides before cutting.

If limited clearance expect to remove more than one--perhaps two or three--other hoses to get to the one you need. Consider a set of angle-head hydraulic service wrenches and a set of flare nut crowfoot ratchet-fit wrenches. You'll wonder why you waited so long to get them---call it a one time investment your kids will appreciate when they get your toolbox.

Hold a solid backup on the fitting or you might easily bend a tube or break off a cylinder fitting--unlikely but seen it happen. Use Kroil penetrating oil on the fitting before unscrewing and expect it sometimes snap loose suddenly brusing knuckles.

Blow the new hose with air, wash inside repeatedly with rubbing alcohol, blow some more, tape loose end closed with tape to keep out of dirt and gunk while installing first end.

It's not a difficult repair but can be painstaking and sloppy and slow-ish if done carefully.

Be sure to refill machine with hydraulic oil per owner's manual or what you know is present in system.

 

[Troutsqueezer]

I just replaced two hoses on my B21 today. Funny how all the hoses seem to start leaking around the same time. I replaced four of them a couple of months ago and at that time, two started leaking within twenty minutes of each other.

I use Pirtek. I believe they are nation wide and the only thing they do is make and replace hydraulic hoses for industrial equipment. It cost me $100 for two. They are supposed to outlast the tractor. We'll see but they sure look better than the ones I took off.

 

[GWD]

I just replaced two hoses on my B21 today. Funny how all the hoses seem to start leaking around the same time. I replaced four of them a couple of months ago and at that time, two started leaking within twenty minutes of each other.

I use Pirtek. I believe they are nation wide and the only thing they do is make and replace hydraulic hoses for industrial equipment. It cost me $100 for two. They are supposed to outlast the tractor. We'll see but they sure look better than the ones I took off.

Some of the Kubota OEM hydraulic hoses have a bad reputation. The power steering ones on the BX are famous for splitting. It is good to get an outside supplier to make the replacements.

My Kubota dealer even makes his own hoses instead of using Kubota OEM replacements.

Just replaced the power steering hoses on the BX2200 a few months ago. Naturally, they are routed under the sheet metal and through the frame. Not a fun job with a lot of disassembly.

 

[GeneT]

As you can see, I'm new to this forum - so I'll appreciate being told "where to go" that I've overlooked ;-)

My '08 B7610 blew a 2nd loader hose as last week's snowstorm ):-(
So I'm wondering:
=> what preventive maintenance I can do to prolong the life of both the remaining & new hoses?
thanks/gene --

 

[85Hokie]

Never have had to replace any hoses.....yet...

"Funny how all the hoses seem to start leaking around the same time"

but I have heard - if older machine , get em all done at one time! Cause you'll wear out tires driving back and forth!

 

[Tooljunkie]

Loader hoses,all flex a certain way. same on both sides so if one fails the other isnt far behind. Replace all of them if its at all feasable. At a minimum blow all new hoses with compressed air. You do not want to get a metal sliver in a cylinder, it will damage it. Same goes for any dirt. Clean fittings as well.
If they cant match hose size and fittings, go somewhere that can.

One advantage to changing all hoses, one big oil spill. Over and done with. One clean up and no risk of leaking oil in a critical area like a garden.