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Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:15 pm
by MattA
I've got a pair of 1/2" safeway quick connects on my rear PTO to connect/disconnect my hydravac + a smaller safeway quick connect on the case drain line. Provided all the hydravac related quick connects are clean when assembled, they don't leak. I've also got a 2' hydraulic hose with another 1/2" safeway quick connect setup to install on the rear PTO when the hydravac is removed. Every time I install this hose, the quick connect leaks. As far as I can tell its the actual male quick connect connection from the mating hose not the quick connect to hose connections. Everything looks clean and I don't see any visible damage on the quick connects. All 3 pairs of quick connects were new 2.5 years ago when installed.

The leak is usually a slow drip that doesn't leave much of a mess however this past winter my driveway looked like a dalmatian puppy after the first snow storm. I ended up pulling the hose off, wiping off the connections again and the leak pretty much stopped.

Any thoughts guys? I may just go down to Tractor Supply and buy some new quick connects for the mating hose.

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:35 pm
by Eugen
Matt, I got three different types of quick disconnects on my various tractors. New pioneer, old pioneer, and new Italian brand something, was more expensive then the pioneer. None of them leak. As it is a simple ball valve, either you take it off and clean it and see if that fixed the issue, or you just replace it. It's possible that somehow the ball or the ball seat got indented? It's not very likely. Dirt can certainly cause this, so maybe a cleaning first makes sense. As you know prices here in Canada are higher than in the US, but both pioneer and the Italian one were less than 15 USD each. Make sure you're not leaking where the hydraulic hose is crimped. I got a slow leak of that type on my 644 at the PTO. Right at the crimp.

One thing about these quick connects. Some I had to put on with a male-to-male fitting. Without some sort of filler on the threads, like teflon tape or hemp rope or whatever, no matter how much I'd tighten, they'd leak.

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:39 pm
by Timj
Do you think maybe it's a little bit of side pressure created by the loop of hose pushing outward?
I guess how stiff the hose is would play. A little strange it just stopped after recoupling, but obviously shows something is not mating up. :hm:

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:02 am
by Gordy
Timj wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:39 pm Do you think maybe it's a little bit of side pressure created by the loop of hose pushing outward?
I guess how stiff the hose is would play. A little strange it just stopped after recoupling, but obviously shows something is not mating up. :hm:
Definite possibility.

I have dealt with mostly Pioneer's. Try replacing the O ring in the female QC, the O ring in the Pioneer is a bit thicker than what is in my kit so had to go to the IH dealer to get the correct ones. Also check the male end that sides into the O ring. One was not machined smooth and goudge the new O ring :cuss: Look inside the female QC you can see the O ring, If you have mechanics picks or dental pick the O ring is easy to remove. It helps to lube the O ring before you connect the QC's.

:cheers:
Gordy

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:05 am
by MattA
Timj wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:39 pm Do you think maybe it's a little bit of side pressure created by the loop of hose pushing outward?
I guess how stiff the hose is would play. A little strange it just stopped after recoupling, but obviously shows something is not mating up. :hm:
Its possible. I do have a 3' hydraulic hose that I originally bought for looping the lines. The 3' hose just seemed a bit close to the rear tire.

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:06 am
by MattA
Gordy wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:02 am
Timj wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:39 pm Do you think maybe it's a little bit of side pressure created by the loop of hose pushing outward?
I guess how stiff the hose is would play. A little strange it just stopped after recoupling, but obviously shows something is not mating up. :hm:
Definite possibility.

I have dealt with mostly Pioneer's. Try replacing the O ring in the female QC, the O ring in the Pioneer is a bit thicker than what is in my kit so had to go to the IH dealer to get the correct ones. Also check the male end that sides into the O ring. One was not machined smooth and goudge the new O ring :cuss: Look inside the female QC you can see the O ring, If you have mechanics picks or dental pick the O ring is easy to remove. It helps to lube the O ring before you connect the QC's.

:cheers:
Gordy
Gordy I haven't been able to find any issues with the male fitting. I store the 2' hose with the quick connects connected.

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:28 pm
by Seabee
I have some couplers that when I am tilling leak more than I care for. When I am not hooked to the tiller I loop the hoses, and they leak a little bit. It is a real slow leak but it leaves a mess on the floor.

Thanks for a timely discussion! My helper keeps telling me about the leak when he is over here!!!

Biill

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:30 pm
by DavidBarkey
My pto connectors weep when not pressurized but are good when under pressure . I have changed the orings , it helped but not cured the problem.

Dave

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 11:49 am
by ssmewing
Most PTO leaks are when someone uses regular threaded pipe rather than hydraulic threaded pipe. The two are not the same, The hydraulic threaded pipe has a machined ID that mates to the female swivel fittings and female hydraulic pipe fittings. There is a name for the pipe that I cannot remember.

I change out these fitting for people often because they complain about them leaking.

Re: Leaking hydraulic quick connects

Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 1:20 pm
by Eugen
1/2 inch NPT seems to work well for me.