FEL in the way of connecting hydraulics

[jefflindy]

I got myself in a very weird situation on uneven ground, with a crooked FEL having to be put on with the aid of another tractor. (Don't ask.)

So now the FEL is locked on, but the arms of the FEL are set in a way that I can't place the quick connect hydraulic on. Can't see how to get out of this.

Will try to put a photo in the next post, to show what I am up against. Do I need to somehow release the hydraulic pressure in the FEL so I can manually move the arms?

 

[jefflindy]

https://ibb.co/C6jP2xZ

Here is what it looks like. The first armature of the FEL is vertical, which means I cannot get the hydraulic quick connect into position.

Any ideas? I got myself into a VERY weird situation.

 

[jefflindy]

Another try at image.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Loosen the hex nuts that secure the fittings to the hydraulic block and rotate them to he position where they will connect. The retighten the nuts.

You need 5 posts to post an image on here btw.

 

[jefflindy]

Loosen the hex nuts that secure the fittings to the hydraulic block and rotate them to he position where they will connect. The retighten the nuts.

You need 5 posts to post an image on here btw.

Thanks. I don't think the fittings (I assume you mean the nuts that hold the hose ends in the quick connect fitting) are an issue. It's more that I cannot put the entire quick connect anywhere near the female end, because the FEL arm is in the way. The black handle of the quick connect is at a right angle, and blocks me from trying to make the connection.

I wonder about removing the locking mechanism by removing that hex bolt that it swivels around. Then putting it back on once the connection is made.

 

[SidecarFlip]

If it came off (when you disconnected it), it should go back on the same way.

 

[jefflindy]

That's the issue, is that this was put on manually with the aid of another tractor. (Lifted the FEL into place with another FEL from a second tractor. The FEL was initially removed on uneven ground and couldn't be put back on normally.)

So the arms of the FEL are in a position where I cannot connect the hydraulics. Trying to find a way out of this, either by removing the locking arm of the quick connect, or moving the arms of the FEL into a better position. (Pperhaps by releasing FEL hydraulic pressure manually?)

 

[mdhughes]

I wonder about removing the locking mechanism by removing that hex bolt that it swivels around. Then putting it back on once the connection is made.

I would think that if you take the handle off and use a wrench to turn the cam would work. Then either raise the FEL arms off and put the handle back on or see if you can get it on with the FEL where it is.

 

[jmf78]

I don't think you will be able to maintain the hydraulic connection without the locking mechanism. I think you'll need to take the FEL off, connect hydraulics then reposition the loader arms so that you can attach the loader. Just my $.02.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Looking at it I don't know why you couldn't remove the lever install the coupling and then put the lever back on (this is unless the tower is in the way of the lock bolt going back in), all of this while the tractor is not running (do not start it till the lock is back on an in the locked position).

You might have to loosen all 4 line to the cylinders to release any pressure on the couplings in order to connect them.

CAUTION NOTE: You have the loader up, if you loosen line fluid will go flying and the loader will drop to the ground, you need to support the loader in the up position or have a rag over the fitting and a bucket, even then it's going to be messy!

You would be much better off taking the loader back off and connecting it properly!

 

[jefflindy]

I don't think you will be able to maintain the hydraulic connection without the locking mechanism. I think you'll need to take the FEL off, connect hydraulics then reposition the loader arms so that you can attach the loader. Just my $.02.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Without the hydraulics, I don't know how to take the FEL off. Unless I get my neighbor to physically lift it off with his larger FEL. The loader is up off the ground.

 

[jefflindy]

Looking at it I don't know why you couldn't remove the lever install the coupling and then put the lever back on (this is unless the tower is in the way of the lock bolt going back in), all of this while the tractor is not running (do not start it till the lock is back on an in the locked position).

You might have to loosen all 4 line to the cylinders to release any pressure on the couplings in order to connect them.

CAUTION NOTE: You have the loader up, if you loosen line fluid will go flying and the loader will drop to the ground, you need to support the loader in the up position or have a rag over the fitting and a bucket, even then it's going to be messy!

You would be much better off taking the loader back off and connecting it properly!

Possibly! I'm going to call the dealer on Monday and email him the photos of my silly predicament. I cannot figure out how to take the loader off at all, as the bucket it up in the air. I'd have to manhandle it off with another, larger Kubota that my neighbor has.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Possibly! I'm going to call the dealer on Monday and email him the photos of my silly predicament. I cannot figure out how to take the loader off at all, as the bucket it up in the air. I'd have to manhandle it off with another, larger Kubota that my neighbor has.

You dealer isn't going to have any other magical cure for your predicament.

 

[jefflindy]

Oh dear.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Years ago back when I ran a roll-off, I had a hydraulic line let go on the mast section when it was all the way up with a loaded box on it.

I had a geyser of hydraulic fluid go about 75 feet straight up and covered me and everything around me too. Glad hydraulic fluid is somewhat water soluble, so it wasn't too bad even though I blew off about 30 gallons. Kept the dust down in the gravel lot for a while....

 

[torch]

FEL is physically mounted to the tractor now, right? You can move it to level ground?

Once there, can you remove that lever, temporarily secure the hydraulic connections using a bar clamp or similar (engine off) then lower the boom by gravity before assembling properly?

 

[beex]

next time you have a mounting problem because you disconnected on uneven ground, there is an easy way to get it back on, works every time for me.

Shim the back tires on the low side with pieces of wood, or anything till the tractor is even with the loader.

trying to do it any other way, like you described using another tractor or by forcing it some other way it is a receipt for disaster.


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[mdhughes]

CAUTION NOTE: You have the loader up, if you loosen line fluid will go flying and the loader will drop to the ground, you need to support the loader in the up position or have a rag over the fitting and a bucket, even then it's going to be messy!

Good catch from the picture Wolfman, I didn't even notice it when I look at the picture.

OP, be careful!