Pressure on hydraulic lines from FEL.

[Benhameen]

Ok, so I finally took the FEL off. Super easy taking it off and putting it back on other than the lines had so much pressure on them that it was very difficult to put them back on.

I googled it and found that I needed to release this pressure by pressing the "button" inside the coupler. After spraying myself with fluid I did manager to get them on but 2 of the 4 were a pain in the a...

No, the tractor was not running and I moved the controls around on the tractor to release the pressure on the tractor side.

Is this just the nature of the beast or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for the replies...

 

[number9]

I've took mine off twice and not had that issue, but I have read of others who have. I make extra sure to move the stick all around in every position many times to release any pressure.

When you disconnect the lines, is the tractor running or off?

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[number9]

Just thought of something else.....which 2 lines were the pita to put back on? Is it the lines that control the bucket curl? I can see maybe if the bucket is in a position that will have most of the weight wanting to curl it in one direction or the other that it may load the line with pressure?

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[Benhameen]

As I posted the tractor was not running and I don't recall which two they were. I do agree that the two that were tough were probably the ones that control the bucket.

I thought this was the place to go to get useful information on my Kubota?

 

[WFM]

I think this is a great place to go to get useful tractor information....I'm sure others here could tell you another useful place to go.....

 

[Benhameen]

I think this is a great place to go to get useful tractor information....I'm sure others here could tell you another useful place to go.....

No doubt, this is a great place to get good information and I appreciate number9's replies.

Have you had this problem too?

 

[tempforce]

whenever i connect or disconnect hydraulic lines. i have the engine off and if disconnecting i run the controls through every position. to relieve any pressure remaining in the lines...

 

[VermontMike]

I had the same exact problem installing my FEL a couple of weeks ago. I could not even get the buttons/balls pushed in to relieve the pressure so I loosened the two nearest connecting joints and relieved the pressure that way. After that, I tighened it back up and plugged right in with no problem. I also had the tractor off and ran the controls through all positions with no luck.

 

[chim]

My FEL is only on when I want to use it. That means it is on and off very frequently. Almost without exception the loader gets dropped in the shed and I park the tractor right at the loader so the hoses reach and can be connected before even starting the engine.

I mention that because of the inside (out of the sun) location. I can't see how sitting in the sun can affect the pressure of the hydro fluid trapped in the loader hoses and cylinders, but suppose it's possible. I think that in the past 11 years I had trouble getting hoses back on twice. Both times I was able to growl loud enough to make them comply.

 

[Benhameen]

So it seems as though its just the nature of the beast.

I like the idea of loosening up the lines where the come together, I'll keep that in mind.

What is the lock on the joystick supposed to be used for?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[cold1313]

Just a quick question, as I am a new Kubota owner and have yet to remove my FEL.

Before disconnecting, have the tractor off, work the lever in all directions to relieve pressure.

Should you then LOCK the lever, so that it doesn't get moved, or does it not matter, so long as you work the lever around (tractor off) before trying to reconnect the FEL? (I would assume it doesn't need to be locked - I was told it was more of a safety feature to prevent kids etc from moving the bucket)

Does there need to be a certain amount of curl to the bucket before disconnecting? It seems that people who are having issues connecting lines, are having issues with the curling lines, not the up and down lines.

 

[BotaDriver]

I too have an L3800 and remove the FEL at least 2x a week. I do not shut off during removal or installation. I'm not fond of frequent starts/stops. 5 minutes of idle is maybe a quarter worth of diesel.

On removal, pull up to my spot, raise the bucket, drop the stand arms, lower the bucket until arms touch, tilt bucket down until I see the QA pins on the frame loosen, remove and place them in holder, tilt bucket up to make the rear of the FEL lift until it can clear the tires when backing up, disconnect hoses letting excess fluid drip on the ground and put the caps over connectors and engage the lock on the valve.. Turn on the faucet to quickly wash off excess fluid from both FEL and the valve, then off to mow.

While I do not leave the operator seat to connect or disconnect the FEL and Hydros, I have yet to find a way to do the washing off part without getting off the machine.

I do not bother to let loose the little bit of pressure left in the system as it will just unnecessarily scrape parts of the FEL that are on the ground, and there is not enough pressure to prevent connection / disconnection. I do engage the lock on the control to ensure it is not moved w/ out the FEL pressurizing the QC fittings.

If you're having a difficult time disconnecting the hoses, try staying on the machine where you will be over the fittings instead of trying to stand next to it. It took me longer to type this out than it does to remove / attach the FEL, and I type fast

 

[number9]

Another thought....when I take mine off I make sure I curl the bucket so it is sitting flat on the bottom before disconnecting the lines. This way there should be no weight / force applied to the rams to build pressure in the lines. I've not had an issue with reconnecting my lines this far.

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[Benhameen]

Just a quick follow up, I had the loader off again and did not have any issue at all when putting it back on.

Engine off, when disconnecting and connecting.

I made sure and moved the joystick through all positions while the tractor was turned off before removing hydro lines.

I'm still surprised how easy it is to remove and reinstall the FEL, as long as the lines go on easy, it only take a minute or two.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[number9]

Good deal.

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[Skeeter]

Ok, so I finally took the FEL off. Super easy taking it off and putting it back on other than the lines had so much pressure on them that it was very difficult to put them back on.

I googled it and found that I needed to release this pressure by pressing the "button" inside the coupler. After spraying myself with fluid I did manager to get them on but 2 of the 4 were a pain in the a...

No, the tractor was not running and I moved the controls around on the tractor to release the pressure on the tractor side.

Is this just the nature of the beast or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for the replies...

Unfortunately, I have not figured out how to not get mine to do this (other than in the winter it's not a problem). In warm weather, mine does it every time and the only way to connect them is to loosen a QD to relieve the pressure. Mine is the bucket side that causes the problems.