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Hard hydraulic line

C

Clawed Backster

Senior Member
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Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
OK, no, it's not on my backhoe, but there is not a wheel dozer section here.
I have a leaking hard line right under a welded on cover. The line itself is also welded to the dozer arm in several places. I guess I have to grind off the welds to get to it. Apparently Michigan's engineers weren't thinking 60 years down the road when they designed it that way. Lol
Anyone here got any advice to make the job quick, cheap, and easy?20210321_170818.jpg 20210321_170836.jpg
 
NH575E

NH575E

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Joined
Dec 30, 2015
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1,184
Location
North, FL
Occupation
Retired Machinist
I saw some compression hydraulic fittings listed somewhere that were rated for 4000 psi.

Can't tell from the picture but that line looks pretty big. What diameter is it?
 
C

cosmaar1

Senior Member
Joined
May 14, 2020
Messages
509
Location
Ohio
DB2 said:
Well it did last 60 years. I would simply replace with a hose. Get some armour and tie it into the existing lines.
Unless you’re working in rock I don’t see a problem.
Click to expand...

I second this. Cut the old one completely out and redo the lines with hose. If you wanted to protect it better, drill in a couple holes and attach a piece of angle iron over the hose to protect it better.
 
D

DB2

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Jan 4, 2015
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1,008
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Winnipeg MB Canada
The compression fitting might be a good alternative as well. Depends on how the steel line is actually damaged. Won’t know until you get it exposed.
 
W

Walker1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
176
Location
Cave Creek AZ
I would agree with using a hose. However, if you really want tube, the just get a stick of tube, some silver solder or JIC adapters and make a new one.

In regards to using tube, make sure you understand what tube is, how to measure it, and the difference between tube and pipe.
 
C

Check Break

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Jan 21, 2012
Messages
469
Location
USA
Just cut off the leaking section and braze or connect a new section of hard line to the old one. You'll regret using hose. Explain what you're doing to your local hydraulic shop. They'll sell you some connectors to do a cold splice and make you a piece of hard line. If you want to braze it, they'll swage the new line so it will slip over your old line.
 
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hosspuller

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Joined
Aug 27, 2014
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1,872
Location
North Carolina
Check Break... Why would OP regret using hose? Looks like the tube is connected to hose already. I believe the manufacturer's use tube since it's less expensive than hose in mass OEM quantities. Although, as repair parts, tube is extraordinarily expensive.

I was going to suggest using a piece of angle like a tent to protect the hose since the hose OD would be a bit larger than tube.
 
C

Check Break

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
469
Location
USA
Seamless tubing is inexpensive. Costs less than good hose. That's a bad place for a hose. Prone to damage and the sun won't do it any favors. Why replace ten or more feet of tube with hose when less than two feet of tube will return the line to OEM spec.
The problem with tube is we aren't used to using it. If your hydraulic shop makes metal lines, ask them to show you how they bend and flare them. You'll be surprised how easy it is and why you can replace most OEM lines that are 2-3' in length for around $50, substantially less than the OEM line you're replacing, if it's available.
 
C

Clawed Backster

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Sunny Valley, OR
Check Break said:
Just cut off the leaking section and braze or connect a new section of hard line to the old one. You'll regret using hose. Explain what you're doing to your local hydraulic shop. They'll sell you some connectors to do a cold splice and make you a piece of hard line. If you want to braze it, they'll swage the new line so it will slip over your old line.
Click to expand...
After getting the hard line out of there I could see that it had a couple more spots with substantial pitting from rust. The local shop doesn't do hard lines, just hose, so that is what I went with.
This is an old machine that rarely gets used. Probably averages 10 hours per year, so I just went with what was quick and easy. The hose ended up costing $73, which I didn't think was too bad. Right now, I don't have anything covering it, but I will probably put some angle iron over it.
 
DMiller

DMiller

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Feb 21, 2010
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Hermann, Missouri
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Cheap "old" Geezer
Most Hydraulic shops will make up a new tube Less expense than a hose and lasts as shown LONGER time.
 
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