Leaky Hydraulics

[Tyler Sperry]

Howdy everyone!

I've been trying to fix a leak I have on some of the fittings on the hydraulics for my john deere. The hoses are only 1/4 inch NPT thread. I've tried snugging them up a bit and that didn't solve my problem. I checked the threads for damage and they all seemed to be in good condition. These fittings are basically brand new. I've only had them on for a month or two and the one fitting has been leaking since I installed all of them. The rest don't leak. Onto the question, what products would yall recommend to stop the fittings from leaking. I was thinking of picking up some Loctite 545 and using that. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[moresmoke]

The 545 will seal it. Just be sure to get everything clean of oil residue before assembling and let it set for a couple hours before using.

I currently have a bottle of the Vibra Tight branded equivalent. Works just as well as the 545.

 

[rustred]

Are u sure it’s 1/4” npt ? As that’s a very small hyd. Hose. Plus if u dont have the proper fittings that can be your problem right there. If it’s a pipe thread then use Teflon tape. Or the liquid Teflon. U don’t need locktite on hyd. Fittings. Most hyd hoses are 1/2” but I saying the actual hyd’s unless you have some other hoses leaking.

 

[Jim.ME]

More info what John Deere? What hoses? Pictures? Sounds like these are new hoses.

 

[used red MN]

Pictures?

I agree with this unless you know the exact type of connection you are working with i.e. JIC, ORB, pipe thread etc. and are certain the male and female sections are matching.

 

[Newgenerationdeere]

Howdy everyone!

I've been trying to fix a leak I have on some of the fittings on the hydraulics for my john deere. The hoses are only 1/4 inch NPT thread. I've tried snugging them up a bit and that didn't solve my problem. I checked the threads for damage and they all seemed to be in good condition. These fittings are basically brand new. I've only had them on for a month or two and the one fitting has been leaking since I installed all of them. The rest don't leak. Onto the question, what products would yall recommend to stop the fittings from leaking. I was thinking of picking up some Loctite 545 and using that. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks!

LOCTITE® 545

High-lubricity thread sealant for hydraulic and pneumatic fittings

next.henkel-adhesives.com

 

[Tyler Sperry]

Are u sure it’s 1/4” npt ? As that’s a very small hyd. Hose. Plus if u dont have the proper fittings that can be your problem right there. If it’s a pipe thread then use Teflon tape. Or the liquid Teflon. U don’t need locktite on hyd. Fittings. Most hyd hoses are 1/2” but I saying the actual hyd’s unless you have some other hoses leaking.

Its only 1/4" hose. The tractor is only 25hp (1025R) and it powers my grapple. The lines come off my loader as a 3rd function and go into a splitter block. And they are all 1/4" per what the manufacturer of the block suggested. I'm pretty sure I have the correct fittings for the hoses. Since the others don't leak. But I will double check. Our Massey 245 has bigger lines on the 232 loader that have rotted out, and I will be replacing later. and I am almost certain those are 1/2" lines. But that's good info. Thanks!

 

[Tyler Sperry]

More info what John Deere? What hoses? Pictures? Sounds like these are new hoses.

Yes they are new hoses. Its a John Deere 1025R with a 120R loader. I have lines coming off the Factory 3rd function on the loader, going into a splitter block to power the grapple (dual clamp). Its leaking between a male to male 1/4" NPT fitting and a female NPT 1/4" quick coupler. I had to have them "custom" made because the kit for the block doesn't come with hoses. The kits instructions did specify to use 1/4" NPT hoses and fittings. I tried to get photos but unfortunately could not due to the location of the leak. However I will say its really slow. Basically its just seeping through the threads from what I can tell. I will be replacing some 1/2" hydraulic hoses on our Massey 245 with a 232 loader very soon, since they have dry rotted and have no protective rubber on the outside on parts. Just the steel chord. So before I do those I want to get out John deere squared away.

 

[Tyler Sperry]

I agree with this unless you know the exact type of connection you are working with i.e. JIC, ORB, pipe thread etc. and are certain the male and female sections are matching.

I am almost certain that both ends are NPT thread where its leaking. When I bought the fittings from the hydraulics shop the tags both said NPT I thought. I'll go back and looks at the invoice to just be sure.

 

[Jim.ME]

Did you put them together dry? If these are plain steel NPT fittings they should have had a sealant on them as the tapered threads are the seal. Is the leak an adapter fitting or a fitting on the end of a hose? If the fitting is on the end of a hose, is it one of the fittings that swivels in itself? Those can leak through the swivel joint.

Loctite 545 will be fine if you can get things clean after having oil in them. Loctite 567 or one of their other Teflon based sealants will work. Gasoila, Blue Magic, Permatex, Bue Monster and many others have sealants that will work on hydraulic fittings. If you use a tape keep it back at least one thread from the end of the fitting so none gets into the system.

I know it seems like we are asking a lot of things that seem obvious; however, you have to remember we can't see it and are trying to visualize from your descriptions. When you say it is coming off the factory third function does this mean your loader control valve has three spools (lift, bucket, and grapple the third function). Is that right? Is your splitter block functioning as a Tee for supplying the two grapple cylinders?

 

[cjunrau]

I am almost certain that both ends are NPT thread where its leaking. When I bought the fittings from the hydraulics shop the tags both said NPT I thought. I'll go back and looks at the invoice to just be sure.

Use Teflon tape or pipe tight in a paste. I do 2-3 wraps of tape but you have to wrap in in the correct direction. When you screw them together the tape must be being screwed on not off. Not sure that makes sense.

 

[DanielW]

It may be worth triple-checking they are indeed NPT with a couple of known NPT fittings. A common problem: A lot of equipment, valving, etc. uses BSP threads/fittings. In 1/8" and 1/4", the NPT and BSP sizes and thread pitches are so close that they will thread together a few turns before binding up. They're so similar in size/looks that a lot of hydraulic shops (especially the 'Princess Auto' type box-store hydraulic shops) often mis-label or have fittings accidentally put in the wrong spot.

The next thing to consider would be if the female end is an NPT swivel fitting. NPT swivels can sometimes be irksome to seal because the nature of them being swivel means they seal on the face (and not on the taper threads like NPT threads normally do). You have to have clean and blemish-free faces, and the male fitting has to have enough taper to thread in fully and seat face-to-face before it binds up on the tapered threads. Sometimes if you mix fittings from different manufacturers the tapers are just different enough that they don't seal (ex: I can't remember if I have the manufacturers right, but I think it's Gates male NPT ends that won't seal on Parker NPT female swivels. The Gates male fittings are made at the larger-end of the NPT taper scale, so it binds up on the threads before sealing face-to-face). If your female end is a swivel, make sure after tightening that you can no longer swivel it by hand. If you can, it means it's not seating face-to-face tightly enough.

If they are indeed NPT, some 545 or teflon tape (make sure you wrap the correct direction) would be the next steps.

 

[SkipperII]

You might check to see if the female side doesn't have a hairline crack. I have run onto that a few times. If it is an aluminum block, it is easy to over tighten them and cause a crack.

 

[centralilbaler]

Howdy everyone!

I've been trying to fix a leak I have on some of the fittings on the hydraulics for my john deere. The hoses are only 1/4 inch NPT thread. I've tried snugging them up a bit and that didn't solve my problem. I checked the threads for damage and they all seemed to be in good condition. These fittings are basically brand new. I've only had them on for a month or two and the one fitting has been leaking since I installed all of them. The rest don't leak. Onto the question, what products would yall recommend to stop the fittings from leaking. I was thinking of picking up some Loctite 545 and using that. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks!

I've always been of the mine, the main reason for hydraulics is to leak!

 

[Tyler Sperry]

Did you put them together dry? If these are plain steel NPT fittings they should have had a sealant on them as the tapered threads are the seal. Is the leak an adapter fitting or a fitting on the end of a hose? If the fitting is on the end of a hose, is it one of the fittings that swivels in itself? Those can leak through the swivel joint.

Loctite 545 will be fine if you can get things clean after having oil in them. Loctite 567 or one of their other Teflon based sealants will work. Gasoila, Blue Magic, Permatex, Bue Monster and many others have sealants that will work on hydraulic fittings. If you use a tape keep it back at least one thread from the end of the fitting so none gets into the system.

I know it seems like we are asking a lot of things that seem obvious; however, you have to remember we can't see it and are trying to visualize from your descriptions. When you say it is coming off the factory third function does this mean your loader control valve has three spools (lift, bucket, and grapple the third function). Is that right? Is your splitter block functioning as a Tee for supplying the two grapple cylinders?

I did when they were first put together. It is currently between the adapter fitting and the end fitting. The fitting itself does not swivel. But that it is good to know that the swivels can leak.

Awesome that is good to know. I will get bottles of both types, as I am sure i will find a use for either or. Also good to know if I use tape.

I totally get it, hard to know what's going on without seeing it. But that is correct. it has 3 spools. lift, curl, and accessory (aka the grapple). And yes the splitter block is functioning as a T to make sure that both clamps get hydraulic flow.

Thank you for all this information its really helpful. I've worked on engines a lot. Hydraulics is sort of new to me.

 

[Tyler Sperry]

Use Teflon tape or pipe tight in a paste. I do 2-3 wraps of tape but you have to wrap in in the correct direction. When you screw them together the tape must be being screwed on not off. Not sure that makes sense.

That makes a sense to me. Thanks for the info!

 

[Tyler Sperry]

It may be worth triple-checking they are indeed NPT with a couple of known NPT fittings. A common problem: A lot of equipment, valving, etc. uses BSP threads/fittings. In 1/8" and 1/4", the NPT and BSP sizes and thread pitches are so close that they will thread together a few turns before binding up. They're so similar in size/looks that a lot of hydraulic shops (especially the 'Princess Auto' type box-store hydraulic shops) often mis-label or have fittings accidentally put in the wrong spot.

The next thing to consider would be if the female end is an NPT swivel fitting. NPT swivels can sometimes be irksome to seal because the nature of them being swivel means they seal on the face (and not on the taper threads like NPT threads normally do). You have to have clean and blemish-free faces, and the male fitting has to have enough taper to thread in fully and seat face-to-face before it binds up on the tapered threads. Sometimes if you mix fittings from different manufacturers the tapers are just different enough that they don't seal (ex: I can't remember if I have the manufacturers right, but I think it's Gates male NPT ends that won't seal on Parker NPT female swivels. The Gates male fittings are made at the larger-end of the NPT taper scale, so it binds up on the threads before sealing face-to-face). If your female end is a swivel, make sure after tightening that you can no longer swivel it by hand. If you can, it means it's not seating face-to-face tightly enough.

If they are indeed NPT, some 545 or teflon tape (make sure you wrap the correct direction) would be the next steps.

Oh man I didn't think about that. I'll take the fitting back off again just to be sure. I haven't had time to do so yet today. Hopefully by tomorrow I can get a good look at it. But that is good to know.

Where it is leaking is fortunately not a swivel. So its not leaking from the swivel. But I will absolutely give it a good clean before reassembling. But I also didn't know that. That is all great informaiton. I will have to check to see if the two brands are the same or not. That might be my issue.

Perfect! Thank you!

 

[paul]

I will add that new fittings made overseas these days are not always top quality, and the threads and metal itself can be poorly cut, not perfectly round and sized. It is the world we live in. It’s getting more and more difficult to find good hyd shop any more and we all are guilty of wanting best deal for our dollar so the shops have to follow along and use cheaper supplies…. It’s a race to the bottom isn’t it and we can blame them, we can blame ourselves…..

Be careful with pipe tape, you don’t want loose bits of tape sticking past the male threads so it frays off into the flowing hyd oil and plugs a port. Many folk suggest only using the pipe dope not the tape, but in either case you can find better quality tape or dope to work with hyd oils. Using one or the other is very helpful to get the pipe thread to seal. There is a lot of pressure on those threads, need all the help they can get.

Paul

 

[Fixingfarmer]

We actually had what I think might be going on just the other day here. So the quick coupler was actually orb or stor boss o ring dad had bought years ago probably 5 years it had worked just fine WITH THE WRONG SIZE PIPE THREAD FITTING INSTALLED. Then I went to lift some big stumps out and bite in with the grapple bucket and boom she blew out. Both quick couplers were that way because I brought the one in complete to the hydraulic shop he knew right away that I needed both pieces x2. I ask how on earth did it last 5 years? He say I’ve seen it plenty of times. In your case it’s probably adapter and quick coupler since the adapter threads are going to not be quite right anymore but I would bet money that’s what’s going on. You can tell if the back side of the quick coupler has the taper for an o ring

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Not sure what your fittings are but some NPT male hose ends have a bevel on the inside to seal on a swivel connector. No sealant needed on those.