How to Disconnect a Hydraulic Hose from a Tractor

If you've never had to repair a hydraulic hose from your piece of heavy equipment, it's still something you should be able to do, even without any advice or supervision. You can always consult your Owner's Manual for the recommended steps, or you can simply follow the guidelines listed below. The main thing you have to be careful of is the point at which you release pressure from the hose because if you fail to do this properly, all the fluid might come squirting out on you. Since hydraulic fluid is generally toxic, you don't want it coming into contact with your skin, your eyes, or your mouth. Some safety measures are included in the steps shown below so that you don’t have to worry about this aspect of the job. By following the steps described in this article, you should be able to take apart your damaged hose and fittings and replace the damaged parts with new ones in a short time. If it's something you're just not comfortable with, you can always call the professionals at Sapphire Hydraulics in Houston to have the job done quickly and efficiently.

 

List Tools Required for the Job

Most kinds of hydraulic hoses and their fittings have been engineered so that they can withstand a great deal of usage and even a certain amount of abuse. Even though hydraulic hose fittings tend to last for quite a while, they will need to be replaced immediately once they break down or have sustained any kind of serious damage. And when it comes time to replace hydraulic parts, the right tools are a necessity. If you don't replace your fittings promptly, it could cause damage to the hydraulic hose, and then you'll have a more expensive repair job. The process of replacing a hydraulic hose is not difficult, even if you haven't had any prior experience doing it. Here are all the tools you'll need to carry out the process easily and without hassle:

 

Goggles

Needed to protect your eyes from the toxic hydraulic fluid

 

Gloves

Needed to prevent your hands from coming into contact with hydraulic fluid

 

Long-Sleeved Shirt

Protection for your arms

 

Pants

Keep your legs protected against the fluid

 

Mask

Necessary if you aren't working in a well-ventilated space

 

Sheet

Will need to be placed under the hose being disconnected, because fluid will leak out (you can also use a bucket for this)

 

Window Cleaner & Rag

Use these to clean off the hose attachments

 

Two Wrenches

You'll need two different wrenches because you'll have to turn them in opposite directions (wrench size depends on your specific hoses)

 

Lubricant

You may need some type of lubricant if the couplings are stuck in place

 

Camera

It's a good idea to take a photo of the exact configuration of your hose and fittings before you start, so you can consult this photo before putting it all back together.

 

How to Disconnect a Hydraulic Hose from a Tractor

 

#1 Inspect the Problem

The first thing you need to do is conduct a visual inspection of your hydraulic pump so that you can identify the type of damage that has occurred, and how severe it is. Inspect the damaged fittings and leaking hoses carefully, then mark the areas which are a problem, before proceeding to the replacement steps.

 

#2 Wear Protective Gear

Then you should put on your protective gear; i.e., the gloves, goggles, pants, and shirt, which will prevent the hydraulic fluid from coming into contact with your skin. Despite your best safety efforts, there are times when accidents do happen, and if the hydraulic fluid does actually touch your skin, you should take steps immediately. Call your local Poison Control Center, and after describing the circumstances, ask what you should do to recover from the situation.

 

#3 Relieve Pressure

The next step, which is very important, is to relieve the pressure on your hydraulic cylinders, and this process will vary from one piece of custom equipment to another, so you'll need to consult your Owner's Manual for the exact procedure. There is generally a lever located right next to the hydraulic pump which you can move to release all that pressure. If you forget to do this step, all the pressure will still be there, and when you disconnect the hydraulic hose, you'll probably have a blowout of hydraulic fluid.

 

#4 Shutoff the Power

After releasing the pressure valve, you will need to shut off all power to the system, and if you're working on a backhoe or something similar, you should lower the bucket so it's resting on the ground. Then you should place a heavy sheet or drop cloth, or possibly a large bucket, underneath the equipment to catch the hydraulic fluid as it drains out of the machine and the hose.

 

#5 Remove Damaged Parts

Next, you will have to remove the damaged hose fittings, the guards, the clamps, and the housing. There may be several components that you have to remove, so it's a good idea to take a picture of their exact location prior to disassembly. As you remove each individual component, label it so that you'll be able to restore it to its original position during the assembly process. If you have any doubts about the dis-assembly process, consult your Owner's Manual, because it will describe the preferred method of removal. Because most hose fittings swivel when the hydraulic pump is turned on, you'll need two different wrenches to accomplish the removal of these swiveling components. The fittings will have two couplings, and that means you need to clamp one wrench on the side of one of the couplings to keep it fixed in place, while you use a second wrench to turn the other coupling. If these are difficult to turn with your wrenches, you may need to apply a lubricant to help loosen them up and make the turning easier. If you do have to remove the hose, you'll also need to loosen up the fittings that are attached to it, before pulling out the hose itself.

 

#6 Clean Fittings

After you've removed the hose, you'll need to clean the fittings with a rag, ensuring that no dirt or debris remains on the fittings to contaminate your equipment. After the fittings have been cleaned, consult the pictures which you took during the disassembly phase, and use it to replace all components in their proper position. Install your new fittings and components, making sure that all guards and clamps are in their correct positions. Make sure the cylinder pins are returned properly, prior to replacing the snap rings that hold those pins in place.

 

Need Professional Hydraulic Hose Repair in Houston?

Most professionals who work with hydraulic heavy equipment are aware that a damaged hose or its fittings can cause your entire hydraulic system to be non-operational. For most businesses, downtime is a minor disaster because it means lost revenues and possibly a missed deadline. When deadlines are missed it can cause your credibility to come into question and it can damage your reputation as a reliable service provider. Needless to say, when you have damage to any of your hydraulic hoses or fittings, you want them repaired as quickly as possible, and by a technician who is extremely reliable and knowledgeable. That's exactly what you'll get from Sapphire Hydraulics, a Houston-based company serving the immediate area, because all of our service personnel are extremely well trained and have a deep background in hydraulics repairs. As soon as you realize that you've incurred some kind of hydraulic hose problem you should contact us immediately so we can dispatch a skilled technician to your location. Once on-site, they will diagnose the issue promptly and recommend a specific course of action, which may include hydraulic cylinder repair, to get your heavy equipment functional again.