Configuring hoses for an L3901, two sets of rear hydraulics, and a QH15

[icehorse]

When I bought my new 3901 last summer I asked the dealer to add two sets of rear hydraulics and I also bought a QH-10. Well, the QH-10 wasn't in stock. A few months later they got QH-15's in stock so I got one of those. Now it turns out that the rear hoses and the QH-15 conflict with each other as I move the 3-point hitch up and down. So I have to reconfigure how the hoses are set up. The dealer is willing to send me free, new attaching plates, and fittings and short hoses as necessary, hooray.

So no matter what, these hoses are going to flex when I raise and lower the 3 point. I want to minimize stresses on the fittings and hoses. So a couple of questions:

1 - Are some hoses designed to be more flexible than others?
2 - Does it seem correct that as the hoses flex, I should try to minimize sideways stress on the hose-fitting connections?
3 - I will be using the tractor in cold weather, so does that impact hose flexibility?

It seems like the least stressful approach would be to make theses hoses into long U shapes, so that as the ends of the U get closer together or farther apart, the bend in the hose at the bottom of the U is minimized?

4 - If that sounds right, then the hoses might stick out behind the tractor a bit, going over the top of the QH-15. I wonder if there are any issues with that?

 

[DustyRusty]

Not familiar with your set up, so only you will know if my idea will work. Can you turn the couplers 90 degrees where they mount to the tractor using an adapter? I did this on the front of my BX23S when I added the 3rd function to the loader, so they didn't stick out as far, and I didn't have to worry about them getting hit as easily. Just a thought.

 

[icehorse]

I've attached a rough draft, side-view of how I'm thinking of configuring the hose that's going to be flexed the most, the outer hose on the toplink. The diagram shows the toplink when it's raised and when it's lowered. In the diagram I'm using some straight couplers, some 45 degree couplers and some 90 degree couplers / fittings.

 

[TheOldHokie]

ICEHORSE asks:

When I bought my new 3901 last summer I asked the dealer to add two sets of rear hydraulics and I also bought a QH-10. Well, the QH-10 wasn't in stock. A few months later they got QH-15's in stock so I got one of those. Now it turns out that the rear hoses and the QH-15 conflict with each other as I move the 3-point hitch up and down. So I have to reconfigure how the hoses are set up. The dealer is willing to send me free, new attaching plates, and fittings and short hoses as necessary, hooray.

So no matter what, these hoses are going to flex when I raise and lower the 3 point. I want to minimize stresses on the fittings and hoses. So a couple of questions:

1 - Are some hoses designed to be more flexible than others?

YES - something like Gates MegaSys MXT is signficantly more flexible than conventional R16. Every hose manufacturer offers something but it comes at a price premium. Your dealer may balk.

2 - Does it seem correct that as the hoses flex, I should try to minimize sideways stress on the hose-fitting connections?

YES - swivel joints may be helpful but I doubt your dealer will provide them at no cost

3 - I will be using the tractor in cold weather, so does that impact hose flexibility?

YES - elastomers get stiffer when it gets cold. Ask the NASA Challenger engineers about that....

It seems like the least stressful approach would be to make theses hoses into long U shapes, so that as the ends of the U get closer together or farther apart, the bend in the hose at the bottom of the U is minimized?

YES - that is standard practice. Minimum bend radius for 3/8"MXT hose is 3.5". Conventional R16 is double that.

4 - If that sounds right, then the hoses might stick out behind the tractor a bit, going over the top of the QH-15. I wonder if there are any issues with that?

YES - loose/long hoses are easier to snag - its always a tradeoff


And finally an unsolicited opinion - the factory outlet mounting on the L01's is a cheap afterthought and sucks for multiple reasons - you can do much better rolling your own.

Dan

 

[icehorse]

Great info Hokie, thanks!

The dealer is proposing sending me a new plate that doesn't have a 45 degree bend, and that I would install higher on the ROPS than the one shown in the picture attached. That could buy me at least 6" of height. I like the idea of your setup, I thought about attaching the plate to the bar that holds the toolkit.

In the picture below, I was just goofing around trying to see if I could work anything out that didn't require having the hoses stick out towards the back, but it seems like sticking out the back and finding the best tradeoff between not snagging and not too much bending is the best route.

I'll look into swivel fittings, do you recommend any?

As an aside, I see you still have the original toolbox - any thoughts on a bigger replacement?

many thanks!

 

[TheOldHokie]

Great info Hokie, thanks!

The dealer is proposing sending me a new plate that doesn't have a 45 degree bend, and that I would install higher on the ROPS than the one shown in the picture attached. That could buy me at least 6" of height. I like the idea of your setup, I thought about attaching the plate to the bar that holds the toolkit.

In the picture below, I was just goofing around trying to see if I could work anything out that didn't require having the hoses stick out towards the back, but it seems like sticking out the back and finding the best tradeoff between not snagging and not too much bending is the best route.

I'll look into swivel fittings, do you recommend any?

As an aside, I see you still have the original toolbox - any thoughts on a bigger replacement?

many thanks! View attachment 92091

Don't over think this. With that coupler location your top link will be happy if you simply come out 90 to the side and keep the hoses shorter and neater. 90 degree drops on the coupler nipples will let you come straight up and leave more than enough slack for a working loop.

The swivel fittings I was talking about would be part of the hose assembly like these male pipe swivel elbows. That way you don't have the hoses trying to unscrew the fittings. Probably a bit of overkill in your situation.

Dan

 

[UpNorthMI]

My L3901 rear connections were mounted a little higher, never had any issues but I'm not using a quick hitch.

Do you have enough hose length to slide your up a few more inches?