Today I tried to connect the two flat-faced couplers to my 3rd function valve, but they wouldn't seat. Finally, in desperation, I poured boiling water on them and miraculously they coupled with no effort. Does this mean that moisture has gotten into the couplings or is there water in my hydraulic fluid?
Frozen Hydraulic Couplers
- Thread starter DustyRusty
- Start date
I've removed and installed the front hydraulic snow blade twice in the past week and both times I struggled a bit disconnecting and reconnecting the hydraulic lines. Water gets in under the spring loaded collar and freezes, which causes enough interference to make it harder to compress the collar spring or at least to move the collar. I didn't need hot water though but it was certainly more work that it would be in warmer weather.
If it IS frozen.... I'd probably warm it up with a small bottle torch rather than pour hot water on it.
Using heat….Good idea! I have a china heat gun that uses DEWALT batteries. I think I found another use for it!
It was below 0 degrees, and I wanted to finish cleaning up the driveway before the slush changed to ice, and hot water was readily available, whereas my plumbing torch wasn't. Based on what McMXi explained as the cause of the problem I am putting the rubber covers on them now when the hoses are removed.
BAP
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Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Make sure if you put the covers on that the hoses hang so that the open end of the cover is facing down, otherwise the cover will get moisture in there and cause the coupler to freeze.
I would even consider putting a plastic bag over the 3rd function fittings when they're not being used to keep them free of snow and ice. Without snow and ice there's no water to get under the collars and freeze.
I don't know if this came across in my earlier post, but the hydraulic couplers can freeze even when they're connected to the 3rd function hoses. I was able to disconnect the lines the other day, but moving the collars and compressing the springs was more challenging than it is in nicer weather. The following day I reconnected the lines and the collars simply don't want to move as easily, which I attribute to snow melting on the fittings, and water working its way under the collars and freezing.