Hydraulic fittings on loader won’t go back on

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,184
263
83
NH
I have taken the loader on and off without issue several times on my one year old L4060. I had taken it off two days ago, and in trying to put it back on two of the four hydraulic quick connects will not go back on. They are the bucket curl and dump fittings. All of the valves are free on the tractor side but not on the loader side. I need to hook them all up in order to get the loader reattached. Loader is sitting on flat pavement. Thoughts?
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
Both my loaders will act the same way at times... Easy (but messy) fix. Take the loader connector in your hand and take a small round, flat faced punch and a hammer and whack the rod / punch against the internal poppet in the coupler. That will relieve the pressure and allow you to couple them. Be apprised, the fluid will squirt out and it goes everywhere, including on you.

I have my wife hold the coupler while I whack the poppet with a rod and hammer so I get oiled and she don't.

I do that quite often.

Has to so with temperature changes causing the fluid to expand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,184
263
83
NH
Thanks Flip...I’ll try it tomorrow when I’m back on site.
 

200mph

Well-known member

Equipment
L4740-3 Cab, FEL, Fnt Snow Blower L2185, LP Finish Mower, LP Rotary Mower
Mar 3, 2017
1,228
58
48
PA
Can always loosen the fitting a bit to allow some fluid to escape.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

BigG

Well-known member

Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
Sep 14, 2018
1,950
774
113
West Central,FL
There are several different tools that make it easy to relieve the pressure.

 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
Best is the easiest and least cost. Punch, hammer and a willing partner of course. Far as being environmentally correct, a quick squirt on your dirty shirt is all well and good and hydraulic fluid, unlike motor oil, washes out.
 

BAP

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Dec 31, 2012
2,525
664
113
New Hampshire
I have taken the loader on and off without issue several times on my one year old L4060. I had taken it off two days ago, and in trying to put it back on two of the four hydraulic quick connects will not go back on. They are the bucket curl and dump fittings. All of the valves are free on the tractor side but not on the loader side. I need to hook them all up in order to get the loader reattached. Loader is sitting on flat pavement. Thoughts?
Try this morning while it is cold. You may find that the fluid has contracted some in the cold and they go right on. I find that if I take my loader off and it sits in the sun, the fluid expands and I can’t get some of the couplers to connect.
 

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex.
May 24, 2019
5,151
2,363
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
I prefer to use a plastic screwdriver handle rather than metal to metal contact.

May make no practical difference, but some of my connectors have a ball inside that looks like it can rotate, so I do not want to scratch it.
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,184
263
83
NH
Try this morning while it is cold. You may find that the fluid has contracted some in the cold and they go right on. I find that if I take my loader off and it sits in the sun, the fluid expands and I can’t get some of the couplers to connect.
I'd like to, but the problem is I'm on another site until 12:30 today. I'll try that first though!
 

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
1,769
858
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
Use a piece of hardwood or plastic. I did damage with a piece of allthread. I modified a small cheap grooved pliers and cut pieces of hardwood from an old axe handle. I'll snap a pic next time I'm in the shed.

Edited to add pics. When in actual use, I wrap a rag around the end because it'll squirt pretty good.
 

Attachments

Last edited:

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
I prefer to use a plastic screwdriver handle rather than metal to metal contact.

May make no practical difference, but some of my connectors have a ball inside that looks like it can rotate, so I do not want to scratch it.
Pioneer 'disconnect under pressure' (breakaway) males will have a semi pointed check valve in the end. Pioneer round ball are non breakaway. Kubota uses all Pioneer style disconnects It does make a difference (ball or tapered flat point as to how the internal pressure is relieved but the escaping fluid is very minimal.
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,184
263
83
NH
BAP seems to be correct. Today is a cooler, cloudy day and the fittings went right on. I did come prepared with a flat bolt to fit the conical pioneer valve to tap on, but no need. Now just fighting to get the loader pins aligned. Thanks for the help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,165
708
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
This drove me nuts too trying to connect the loader in the friggin freezing cold sometimes, and releasing pressure on the loader lines by forcefully compressing the ball valve-end is the only way. Putting a rag over the end first helps keep the mess down.
I bet higher-hour units don't lock up as much, can seep enough.