Stuck Coupler - GRRR

[Gixxer600]

If it's not one thing it's something else! I am having trouble getting high flow working (separate thread) so I decided to disconnect the mulching head and do some work with the bucket. I disconnected the hoses and got in the machine and started it up and probably 2 gallons of Hyd fluid came gushing out of the center coupler. Upon inspection it appears it is stuck open (see pic below).

I am so frustrated I can't even think straight. I have been trying for a week to get my fence line cleared and one thing after another keeps preventing me from doing it. I may as well just give up and hire someone to do it at this point. :beatsme

What should I do to this broken coupler (other than take it off, beat it with a sledge hammer, melt it down into a puddle, and stomp on it)?

 

[KSSS]

If it's not one thing it's something else! I am having trouble getting high flow working (separate thread) so I decided to disconnect the mulching head and do some work with the bucket. I disconnected the hoses and got in the machine and started it up and probably 2 gallons of Hyd fluid came gushing out of the center coupler. Upon inspection it appears it is stuck open (see pic below).

I am so frustrated I can't even think straight. I have been trying for a week to get my fence line cleared and one thing after another keeps preventing me from doing it. I may as well just give up and hire someone to do it at this point. :beatsme

What should I do to this broken coupler (other than take it off, beat it with a sledge hammer, melt it down into a puddle, and stomp on it)?

Replace it, although you could probably beat on it and it will go back.

Again I will offer my same suggestion. Take this thing in to a dealer and let them go completely through it. You don't have any backround in these machines and the machine is used and likely abused. You said you got a great deal on it, accept the fact that you may have to put money into it. The machine will continue to frustrate you until you wade your way through all its issues or take it in and get it straightened out. Just my opinion.

 

[bobcatmechanic]

try lightly taping with a hammer on it to get it to come unstuck try spraying pentrating oil in it try a punch and tap on the center lightly or buy a new one and replace it that one i dont believe is that expensive i could be wrong i know the top and bottom big couplers are around 100 150 dollars a piece

 

[Gixxer600]

KSSS, yea you are right I just need to take it in and let them go through it. That is really where I am at with it at this point. But, I can't really even load it with it pouring fluid. I thought about taking it off and seeing if I could get it to pop back out from the inside (bobcatmachanic, I did try tapping and pushing on the inside to see if it would pop back out, etc. I didnt try lubing it but it is moving freely so I dont think that would even help )

Worse case I guess I could reconnect the mulching head and load up the whole thing but I didn't really want to haul that thing all the way down there and back. But I suppose it will not make much of a difference one way or the other.

I am at a point now where (pending you guys letting me know if i even have high flow) I just want to take it to them and have them make the high flow work so I can get my fence cleared. I wanted to "do it myself" which is rewarding but sometimes I guess you have to throw up the white flag.

I have to be honest though ... I carried my pistol with me today for some reason and I was tempted to test that bullet proof glass on the front. ;-)

 

[bobcatmechanic]

i just posted on your high flow the pic of the gear pump is not clear enough there are hoses and tube lines in the way it is to the left of the hydrostat which is where your steering levers hook to the pump in the back left as in you are looking at the machine. you may not get it hooked back up since that coupler is stuck if you have a number 6 hose plug you could take the line off the back and cap it you may try the auto parts store that builds hoses and see if they have a cap and plug for that size

 

[bgirls]

make a bypass hose to connect the two connectors together, then you won't have install and move the mulcher with the machine.

 

[Gixxer600]

make a bypass hose to connect the two connectors together, then you won't have install and move the mulcher with the machine.

Yea, I could .. but if I am going to run around to get that made I may as well just get a new coupler thingy and put it on there.

I am going by there tomorrow on my way out of town, I will stop by and pick one up ... Hopefully I can get it replaced and get the machine to Bobcat Tue for them to check it out.

Then when I get all this done I still have to hope the mulcher will work as expected. There are several teeth that only have one of two teeth on them, and they all seem worn. (I rented the mulcher from an individual).