How to Relieve Hydraulic Line Pressure

The concept of pioneer couplers on hydraulic lines means they should be very easy to connect, but that is not always the case. As temperatures start to warm up, pressure can form in your hydraulic lines and make it impossible to connect. Neil demonstrates how to relieve this pressure so you can get back to work.

[ryanaustin]

The look on your face when the loader hit the ground was epic

[chrisweihe]

Very good demo of how to resolve that problem. However for some folks you left out a process LOL. Make sure you tighten the coupler after you release the pressure.
Love your demonstrations, they are helpful to 🚜 new bees.

[PaulSuitor]

I was stuck in this situation a few years back and had no tools at all. I discovered that many of the hitching pins Kubota uses fit pretty snugly into the couplers. You can then tap on the pin with what ever you have available which pushes against the inside of the coupler. In small amounts you will begin to relieve the pressure. I feel this is pretty safe too since the pin blocks any large steams of fluid too.

I recently picked up a QC-Mate by XBoom Couple 3/8 and 1/2 duo jaw 12 in quick clamp which is now stored in the tractor to make things really easy.

[johnc]

This is another very appropriate topic and you demonstrated tractor a problem many of us encounter. I think the idea of safety glasses, thick gloves. and extreme care around hydraulic fluids, hoses and fittings is very important for all of us. Keep up the good work as your presentations are unique and useful to tractor owners.

[thebradleysoncatbirdhill]

Outstanding, Neil! I can only imagine the millions of tractor owners who would love to have seen this before they stomped their feet in frustration. Well done!👏👏👏

[mgeren]

I have a Knipex Pliers Wrench in my tractor toolbox for just such an occasion. Easy to adjust and has parallel jaws so you almost never mar the surface or round the fastener!

[bretter]

I'm in Australia but ordered online out of the US a product called an X-Boom QC Mate to squeeze flat face couplers together. It applies 270kg of force and is basically an Irwin clamp with U-shaped fittings on each end. It works brilliantly and means no more bleeding the lines. It even works in reverse if needed to disconnect fittings.

[bhoss]

😄 I love the true to life honesty! (the boom dropping & incorrect tool) Because problems occur at inconvenient times & places way more often then when parked inside the garage!
Keep up the great work! Thanks for the videos!

[unclebuck]

Was at a county fair a few years back and there was a tractor on display with the bucket raised up. Turns out it was full of water due to a day of rain. Anyways, a kid climbs up into the seat and, you guessed it, pulls the control stick and that bucket slammed into the ground. Only the grace of God kept the other folks around the tractor from getting crushed.

[archangel]

Had this problem a few days ago when the loader had been off the tractor. Called my local Kubota dealer service and they were kind enough to explain the steps to loosen the coupler and relieve the pressure. It worked.

[dalemarshall]

Wish I had seen this a year ago. First time I disconnected my grapple I had it fully open. When I went to reconnect I could not get those fittings to couple. Loaded up the tractor and went over to Kubota dealer and he did exactly what you did, loosened the fitting, relieved the pressure, and Presto, easy connection.

[keithbeynon]

Good advice Neil, it’s nice to see even the person who is around these machines all day have issues at time.

[ghostinthebox]

One thing my local dealer sells are hose "end valves"- its a quarter turn ball valve with a pioneer coupler on the other end. The idea is, you disconnect whatever implement you're working with, cap the tractor end with the rubber covers, and on the implement end attach these valves- with the valve closed.
Keeps the coupler that will need to be reconnected to the tractor clean and undamaged- its covered by the valve connector, and allows for a safe way to relieve pressure before trying to reconnect- point hose away from everyone, slowly crack the ball valve, close it, remove ball valve, attach to tractor.

They cost something like 35 $ for a pair, if I recall correctly

[InkmannNA]

This video is a HUGE help. It took me longer to get the wrench than it did to finally make the connections.
Thank you!

[G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great, easy to remember tip. Thanks Neil. Nothing worse than being all ready to go & having to stop for a stubborn hydraulic coupler. A real smile-wiper. Another example of what a great dealer does. Feel free to open a dealership in Wisconsin’s North Woods! We’d love to have you up here.

[BG-vqfd]

Good info that anybody with hydraulics should know. I bought a Waite tool for the male pioneer couplers I have.

[johne]

This I'd know this last year when I had a line lock. Thanks for using a tool most tractor owners have available.

[trailbrent]

I learn something new every time I watch this YouTube channel . thank you for the information

[CopperCreekCuts]

1:56 Always remember to check for Fluffy, Mittens, or your offspring before initiating step 1 😅

[Kcolby]

The “Waite decompression tool” from Bolt on Hooks is THE answer. It is a piece of cake to relieve the pressure with no fuss or mess, safely.