Ford 7710 remote hyraulics

[Gleanerguy]

I have a 7710 Ford (series I) and I absolutely hate the rear hydraulic remote unit. I am told that it is an "engineered" unit by the dealer (supposedly great!). The hydraulic hoses are always popping out. They are supposed to couple under pressure by opening and closing the levers on the unit. This never works, I always have to hit the hose on the drawbar or someplace else to let the oil under pressure out.
My 7700 Ford has four hoses coming out of a block. You can simply screw any aftermarket coupler you want on the end of the hoses.
Ford went downhill on this deal. Is there any way to convert the 7710 so that I can use aftermarket couplers? I would just as soon remove the whole "engineered unit" and throw it in my scrap pile.
 

[RodinNS]

Why not learn to use the Rexroth valves that are on it? They're real simple to couple if you follow one simple rule. Kick the valves in float BEFORE you uncouple. Then the hoses are relaxed. When you go to recouple, kick the valves in float again. If there is pressure in the hose... push the hose fully forward while turning the coupler lever at the same time. If you do that they work fine. If the lever type coupler barrells have worn to the point where the levers don't stay engaged while you're using the hydraulics... replace the lever type with the updasted leverless barrells for those manifolds. No big deal.
There is no way in hell I'd want to go back to using full locking pioneer couplers without a breakaway... Talk about misery.

Rod
 

[Gleanerguy]

At least one of them must be worn out, because it keeps popping out while I'm using the tractor.
What do you have to buy to change it to the newer leverless style? The present couplers are part of the whole unit. I can replace just the coupler buy taking the unit apart. The couplers were about $100 each the last time I checked, but then I would still have the the lever type couplers if I did this.
 

[Bern]

Tell us more about this "dealer engineered unit" (pics would be nice). It sounds to me like you are complaining about something that Ford never put on.

The factory valves sometimes like to leak, but otherwise they worked pretty well.
 

[RodinNS]

Pop the rubbers off the end and you should see the ball ring/sleeve of the coupler. The sleeve/barrell will just thread out. There's a tool to loosen them but it's nothing a good pin punch won't do if you're carefull. I don't remember now if you need to remove the lever and it's shaft firs or the barrell will come out anyway... but you need to remove the lever at some point. Then you're left with the bare aluminum housing. All coupler kits now available for the Rexroth valves are leverless. They provide a kit with the new coupler barrells and covers to go over the holes where the levers used to be... but I never had any luck keeping them in place. Just renew the seals in the body and thread the new couplers in. Done.
As Bern said... they do leak a bit at times but that's typical of most quick couplers.

Rod
 

[jbirnsch]

We replaced the lever quick couplers on our 8700 years ago when the levers kept popping up in use. The dealer sold us the leverless type with new black plastic shells. Threaded right on. Put the old ones on a shelf somewhere. Also replaced one side of the remotes on our 9000 with the same leverless coupler.

The only time we have problems if the hoses are in direct sunlight on a hot summer day and pressure builds up from the heat. Just have to push harder to get them to snap in.
 

[RodinNS]

Those are different couplers than what is found on the 7710...

Rod
 

[Gleanerguy]

It is a the standard unit put on most 7710's. It is not an aftermarket unit.
It is obvious that Rod understands what I am talking about. The fellow that posted about his 8700 doesn't understand, because that is a totally different system.
I understand that there may be a leverless unit available. I don't know if some had the leverless unit from the factory or if that was something that you could buy to upgrade. I am going to see my dealer this afternoon. He is the one that referred to this as an "engineered unit". I would rather spend money on an upgraded unit than spend $400 plus to buy four new couplers for this unit.
 

[Bern]

OK, I misunderstood your first post.

The factory remote valves for those tractors were overall good units. I would not discard them. Check to make sure the threaded coupler on the end did not screw out.
 

[RodinNS]

The leverless couplers were simply a point in time change that came along in the mid 90"s... perhaps when they realized the problems with the lever type couplers as they aged. As far as I know you can"t get the barrells for the lever type any more.

Rod
 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

I agree with Rod & Bern. The CCLS system is a good setup. I prefer the "lever couplers", but as stated, they are no longer available/serviced. I have 3 tractors with this setup. one has no levers, one has lever couplers on both valves, and one has lever couplers on one valve, but not the other. I hope that you can get the present couplers repaired without replcing the coupler manifold. I had to purchase a single valve coupler manifold for one tractor, and it cost north of $700.00!
As stated, the key to easier coupling is to put the valve in float before uncoupling!
HTH, Dave