I forgot to release hydraulic pressure when disconnecting my BX23S backhoe. What do I do now?

[Willow Homestead]

I can't re-connect my backhoe because i forgot to release the pressure when disconnecting. I see there is an Irwin clamp tool to do this, but that doesn't seem like a good idea. Is there an official way to atone for my mistake and get it back connected?

Thanks!

 

[pokey1416]

Put a rag over the ball end and push against somewhere stiff and fluid will squirt out and relieve pressure. Watch out though it can come out hard and hurt you. The old timers on the farm used to push their thumb into FM end to relieve pressure but I sure wouldn’t try that.

 

[Tractor Gal]

Not sure of your problem, but I'll give it a shot. If you're saying the quick coupler has too much pressure to allow you to push it on, just press the center "button" in the fitting to release the pressure. Just use a flat surface that will fit in there.

 

[foobert]

“just” push harder when coupling it

Joking aside, if you can rig something to give you mechanical advantage while coupling (w/o wrecking the alignment), that will be safest.

**danger follows - this is not advice** For male coupler ends, I’ve covered the end with thick towels and whacked the ball/nipple with hammer to unseat it and release the pressure. Assuming there’s no air in the system, it doesn’t take much volume release to dramatically drop the pressure. The danger is that high velocity oil can pierce the skin and poison you. Need heavy gloves, long sleeves, eye and face PPE, etc…

 

[Willow Homestead]

Put a rag over the ball end and push against somewhere stiff and fluid will squirt out and relieve pressure. Watch out though it can come out hard and hurt you. The old timers on the farm used to push their thumb into FM end to relieve pressure but I sure wouldn’t try that.

I'm guessing that I'm confused because I didn't specify that the couplers are flat faced. There is no ball end to push. Is the corresponding side the male or female end? I'd guess male, but I don't know for sure. Or is it always the end coming from the backhoe? There are multiple connections I have to make.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

BH loop circuits don't hold pressure, so I'm a little confused.
Do you have the tractor running?

 

[Willow Homestead]

BH loop circuits don't hold pressure, so I'm a little confused.
Do you have the tractor running?

No, its not running. But either way, the connections will not connect no matter how hard I push.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Did it droop or is it being supported by the hydraulics on the BH?
It shouldn't be, and if it's not, move the controls around to take the pressure off the line.

 

[NCL4701]

There are tools specifically made to decompress quick couplers. Even if you don’t purchase one, the below video should demonstrate what you’re needing to do, whether it’s with a towel and hammer, smacking on a hardwood block, etc.

The other option is to loosen the coupler until it leaks and releases pressure, then retighten and connect. For the female connectors only way I’m aware of to release pressure is loosening the connection until it leaks and retighten. Whatever you do, it should NOT involve having your hands or any other body parts in a position where the hydraulic fluid can be injected into you.

Of course on the tractor side, I’m sure you know you can relieve pressure by shutting down the engine and cycling the associated valve.

 

[Willow Homestead]

Did it droop or is it being supported by the hydraulics on the BH?

I'm really sorry, but I don't understand your question. The backhoe is on the ground and I backed up the tractor to it to connect and I can't get the couplers to connect no matter how hard I push them together. Is there some other aspect I'm not thinking about? What would droop in this situation?
Thank you for your help!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If the BH is NOT supported hydraulically, like the boom is holding it up, just move the BH control levers and the pressure in the lines will equalize, and you should be able to connect at least one end, then do it again and the other will pop right on.

Or just loosen the Quick disconnect on the line and that will release any pressure and you'll be able to attach it.

 

[Vlach7]

I had the same issue, sun had heated it up also increasing the hydraulic pressure, at nite when it cooled down I was able to get it to bleed. If you have to, use wrenches like taking off the hose to relieve it. Good luck.

 

[SteveBX23]

I had this happen to me. Even bleeding the pressure as much as I could out of the end of the fitting, I still couldn't them on. I ended up using a floor jack to lift the center of the backhoe and take the pressure off of the riggers, boom, etc. Then I got them. This was one time I didn't block it. I usually block it underneath and never have a problem

 

[Willow Homestead]

Good news - I tried again this morning when it was in the mid 30s and they connected no problem! Thanks for help everyone!

 

[coloradokubota]

Hi All. This happens to us all summer here in Colorado and there is a simple fix. In Colorado, there are wide temperature variations each day. I use my tractor in the morning which is cool temperature time. Then by afternoon, it is warm or hot outside. Because I do not have a barn, the backhoe attachment sits in the sun all day getting hot. So simply, don't try to hook the backhoe back up that same afternoon. Do it early next morning when it is the coolest. Works like a charm up here.

 

[chim]

Not a backhoe, but the FEL connections on mine do this. I modified a cheap pair of pump pliers by shortening the lower jaw. Then I cut some short pieces of hardwood to go into the connectors that get pushed with the longer pliers jaw. When everything is in position, I wrap a rag around it before squeezing the pliers. Normally it works fine, but on Monday it shot SUDT2 all over the hood and windshield.

 

[fried1765]

Not a backhoe, but the FEL connections on mine do this. I modified a cheap pair of pump pliers by shortening the lower jaw. Then I cut some short pieces of hardwood to go into the connectors that get pushed with the longer pliers jaw. When everything is in position, I wrap a rag around it before squeezing the pliers. Normally it works fine, but on Monday it shot SUDT2 all over the hood and windshield.

Welder Vise Grips can also be modified as a tool to accomplish this.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hi All. This happens to us all summer here in Colorado and there is a simple fix. In Colorado, there are wide temperature variations each day. I use my tractor in the morning which is cool temperature time. Then by afternoon, it is warm or hot outside. Because I do not have a barn, the backhoe attachment sits in the sun all day getting hot. So simply, don't try to hook the backhoe back up that same afternoon. Do it early next morning when it is the coolest. Works like a charm up here.

Connect under pressure couplers - dont leave home eithout them
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[FTG-05]

I can't re-connect my backhoe because i forgot to release the pressure when disconnecting. I see there is an Irwin clamp tool to do this, but that doesn't seem like a good idea. Is there an official way to atone for my mistake and get it back connected?

Thanks!

On the contrary, it's an excellent idea. I used to despise hooking up my grapple because of how hard it was to hook the FF connectors. Now, it's a piece of cake with the Irwin clamps.

You are not going to hurt a +2500 psi hydraulic system with hand strength. Get it done.

 

[Soopitup]

You don't need any special tools or fittings, just cover one of the connections with a rag and slowly loosen.
If there's a JIC fitting that's your best bet, no rubber to possibly damage.