Ford 4600 Replacing FEL hydraulic hose

[wesjc128]

Hi I recently bought my first tractor a 1980 Ford 4600. Thing runs great except a few leaks in the hydraulics. The worst is a leak in the middle of one of the long hoses running to the FEL which I decided to just replace. I'm having a hell of a rough time removing the hose, I doubt it's ever been changed or not for a long time. Pic attached is of the fitting in question (I'm having trouble uploading I hope it worked)

Now I know the usual strategy involves 2 wrenches in opposite directions, but I've had no luck. Also tried some penetrating oil no luck there either. I'm worried if I really put all my weight into it I may damage the metal line that the hose attaches to. The metal line is only secured by this bracket which I loosened in the pic and another toward the front, it could easily be bent there if I push too hard. Any suggestions or particular technique for this type of thing?

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hi I recently bought my first tractor a 1980 Ford 4600. Thing runs great except a few leaks in the hydraulics. The worst is a leak in the middle of one of the long hoses running to the FEL which I decided to just replace. I'm having a hell of a rough time removing the hose, I doubt it's ever been changed or not for a long time. Pic attached is of the fitting in question (I'm having trouble uploading I hope it worked)

Now I know the usual strategy involves 2 wrenches in opposite directions, but I've had no luck. Also tried some penetrating oil no luck there either. I'm worried if I really put all my weight into it I may damage the metal line that the hose attaches to. The metal line is only secured by this bracket which I loosened in the pic and another toward the front, it could easily be bent there if I push too hard. Any suggestions or particular technique for this type of thing?

Thanks for any help in advance!

We (or at least I) need to see that picture.

 

[wesjc128]

alright i had to downsize the file here's the pic

 

[TheOldHokie]

This is one of the reasons I hate pipe threads.

The female fitting on the end of the tube is not a swivel and you cannot turn it. You need to hold it with a wrench while turning the. hose. If you allow it to turn you will damage the tube.

Since the male hose fitting is also rigid you have to first disconnect the other end of the hose so it can turn with the hose fitting. Then its just a second wrench and BF&I

Dan

 

[wesjc128]

This is one of t hy e readons l I hate pipe threads.

The female fitting on the end of the tube is not a swivel and you cannot turn it. You need to hold it with a wrench while turning the. hose. If you allow it to turn you will damage the tube.

Since the male hose fitting is also rigid you have to first disconnect the other end of the hose so it can turn with the hose fitting. Then its just a second wrench and BF&I

Dan

yes this was my concern that i would accidentally rotate or bend the tube when applying all my force. I will undo the fitting on the other hose end and see if it becomes any easier. thanks!

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

One thing you can do for a really stuck fitting is hit the flats of the female fitting with hammers 180° from one another at the same time.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Since you're replacing the hose anyway, if all else fails I would take a cut off wheel and cut the hose end next to the hex. Then you can get a box end onto both fittings. Always better than an open end on stubborn fittings.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Hitting the female fitting and sawing the hose next to the hex are both good ideas. The female fitting IS a swivel and it DOES turn... but it won't swivel until the assembly is broken loose .

 

[wesjc128]

Success! Got it off unscathed, thanks for all the help everyone. I've got one more follow up question, i'm looking for the level plug so i can get a gauge on the hydraulic fluid level and top it off if needed. It doesn't seem to look like the pictures i'm seeing in the manual, here's what i'm looking at. Am i just missing it? The little square headed plug on the lower right looks kinda like the image they show for a 3000 series but it seems like the wrong location.

 

[Fordfarmer]

Success! Got it off unscathed, thanks for all the help everyone. I've got one more follow up question, i'm looking for the level plug so i can get a gauge on the hydraulic fluid level and top it off if needed. It doesn't seem to look like the pictures i'm seeing in the manual, here's what i'm looking at. Am i just missing it? The little square headed plug on the lower right looks kinda like the image they show for a 3000 series but it seems like the wrong location.

The level plug is approximately where I put the red circle on your picture. The manual went a little too far in using the same picture for multiple models, in this instance. Way back when, I asked my dealer the same question about my 4600, vs. what the book shows.

 

[Fordfarmer]

The level plug is approximately where I put the red circle on your picture. The manual went a little too far in using the same picture for multiple models, in this instance. Way back when, I asked my dealer the same question about my 4600, vs. what the book shows.

wanted to add... on mine, the plug is a hex head, not a square head.

 

[shaun wallace]

Some where along the line there was a dipstick on LH side accessible from rear.

 

[Fordfarmer]

Some where along the line there was a dipstick on LH side accessible from rear.

probably on cab models.