Hydraulic couplers leaking

T

Tom Evans

Well-known member
I have a 1975 1650 and the 2 front hydraulic couplers (for the lift and angle for the front blade) are dripping a little fluid. Is this normal? I'm not using these ports, as I have the snowblower hooked up now. They seemed to leak when I used the hydraulic lift, so I replaced both of them. The new ones are dripping too. Is there a snap in type of hydraulic plug for these? If so, where can I get them?

Thanks,
Tom Evans
 
You talking about the quick disconnects leaking? If the ball socket(plug) is leaking when its disconnected you may have dirt or something else in the system. When was the last time you changed the oil filter on the hydraulic system?
 
If the couplers are new, the ball should be seated and they shouldn't leak. Older ones may have dirt in them and therefore may leak. Are they dripping from the front of the coupler where the ball seats or from elsewhere?
Red56
 
I haven't changed the fluid since I got the tractor in April. It looks a little darker than the Hy-tran should be. Would changing the oil and filter help the leaks? The couplers are brand new and the tractor hasn't left the garage, so there's little chance of dirt in them.

Thanks for the help with this,
Tom Evans
 
Tom Evans":3lpn6i18 said:
I haven't changed the fluid since I got the tractor in April. It looks a little darker than the Hy-tran should be. Would changing the oil and filter help the leaks? The couplers are brand new and the tractor hasn't left the garage, so there's little chance of dirt in them.

Thanks for the help with this,
Tom Evans
Click to expand...
If they both leak and are brand new you should take them back. Did they come from a Cub Cadet Dealer or a local Hydraulic shop or off the internet or Tractor Supply. I think they may be Chinese Junk :?:
 
I dunno Tom,

It has been my experience that all things hydraulic will leak, especially couplers, not sure why, just seems to be the case.

However, in your case, with the brand new ones I would think that they wouldn't. I do think that it really depends on the quality of the coupler. Hydraulic couplers from "the farm store", or TSC and other such places are not always as good of quality as perhaps ones from a real tractor dealer. They are very much like air hose quick couplers, I almost never buy "cheap ones" because often times they leak from day one.

Much like red56turbo, I am curious as to specifically where they are leaking from. If it is the coupler itself leaking and not the threaded joint where they screw on, I would be tempted to return them and ask for a refund. Then go someplace else and hope for a better fitting.

Just a side note: If we do not complain when we are unhappy with a purchase, the distributor will never know that we demand better, and the quality of the goods we buy will continue to go downhill.
 
I bought the couplers from a reputable manufacturer who produces hydraulic hoses for farm machinery, so there should be no problem with the quality. I'm still wondering if there is a snap in plug available to stop the leak and protect the couplers from dirt. The leaking isn't much more than a few drops or so, but it is anoying to have to clean it up.

Thanks for the help,
Tom Evans
 
The only "plugs" I've ever seen are plastic, I believe they are just intended to keep dirt out.

I know this doesn't really help but try putting something down on the floor to "catch" the drips.

Good luck,
 
I'm with heller1m on the plugs. I've only seen the dust covers. I also agree if they are brand new and leaking out of the actual front ball area and not the threads, take em back and swap for a different set and see if it leaks.
Red56
 
Are you energizing the hydraulic control valve when there disconnected and there leaking? If so there seeing pressure when they shouldn't be. Is it tee'd in behind the coulpers for something else? If so you may need a mating coulper with a pipe plug in it so its capped and can't leak. When the other stuff is in use. The high pressure is getting past the ball check. I don't think its designed to hold higher pressures its just made to hold the hydraulic fluid from leaking out of the hose when its not in use.

Hydraulics shouldn't leak or weep oil at all. I have seen leaks called running seepage by the car/jeep dealer and its ok. I was taught on the machines that hydraulic leaks are unacceptable. Nothing leaked when we shipped the machines to the purchasers.

BTW; The use of teflon tape is also unacceptable on hydraulics too. Because it can tear and get into the spool valves and mess them up. We used teflon paste on the fittings if they were troublesome. We start with the teflon paste about two threads back on the mating parts so none of it can get into the system too. Don't be sloopy with it.

On the orginal parker fittings we never had problems with leaks. I notice with the chinese fittings we now have more leaks. So we need to use a teflon paste or a clear silicone when assembling these chinese fittings.
 
TOM,

I was at the local (35 miles) Rural King and saw metal coupler plugs like you were asking about, the package said 1/2" but they looked kinda big, don't know, didn't notice the price.

Might try Rural King on line...
 
The problem seems to have resolved itself. I haven't seen any drips or puddles for a few days. It's weird, but they just stopped leaking. Maybe my cussing cured the problem.

Thanks for all the advice,
Tom Evans
 
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