I went to reinstall the loader this afternoon/early evening after it being off for about 3 weeks. Was supposed to be a simple install to move a bunch of totes from the shed to the garage so the wife can get ready for a garage sale (decided we aren't having any more kids so the baby clothes can go ). The tractor was already pulled into the loader. Just needed to hook the hydraulic lines up and I would be in business. Just a little back ground, it was probably 50 degrees when I took it off and today it was about 85.
First problem. Couldn't get the hose to route the way I thought it should go. After fighting with it for probably 2 or 3 minutes, I had a , I was trying to route it wrong. Once I flipped it the right way, it routed just like it was supposed. to. Started to hook the bottom pair of lines up. They wouldn't go. So I went and got a shop towel and bumped the end of the line with a hammer a couple of times. Finally was able to get it on. Next came the top pair. Same issue. I tapped it several times, but it just wouldn't go. At this time I'm ready to out of the tractor. After scratching my head for awhile in deciding what to do, I decided to crack open a hydraulic. Man was that thing on there tight!!!! Finally broke loose though. Fluid came out, but it didn't seem like a lot - but it sure did go everywhere. I then tightened it back down and on it went.
What should have been a 2 minute job I think turned into 30 minutes. Next time before I take the loader off, I'm going to go work the tractor for awhile and get the fluid hot so no matter the outside ambient temperature, the fluid will be cooler than what it was when I took it off.
What is your tip for reconnecting hydraulic lines? What should I have done differently (other than to not take the loader off when cold)?
First problem. Couldn't get the hose to route the way I thought it should go. After fighting with it for probably 2 or 3 minutes, I had a , I was trying to route it wrong. Once I flipped it the right way, it routed just like it was supposed. to. Started to hook the bottom pair of lines up. They wouldn't go. So I went and got a shop towel and bumped the end of the line with a hammer a couple of times. Finally was able to get it on. Next came the top pair. Same issue. I tapped it several times, but it just wouldn't go. At this time I'm ready to out of the tractor. After scratching my head for awhile in deciding what to do, I decided to crack open a hydraulic. Man was that thing on there tight!!!! Finally broke loose though. Fluid came out, but it didn't seem like a lot - but it sure did go everywhere. I then tightened it back down and on it went.
What should have been a 2 minute job I think turned into 30 minutes. Next time before I take the loader off, I'm going to go work the tractor for awhile and get the fluid hot so no matter the outside ambient temperature, the fluid will be cooler than what it was when I took it off.
What is your tip for reconnecting hydraulic lines? What should I have done differently (other than to not take the loader off when cold)?