[GoldenCove]

Hi guys,

It is prime leaf collection season here at Golden Cove and as I was getting going with the 446 this morning I noticed an extreme amount of oil pumping out on my mower deck and lawn! You guessed it, a hydraulic pipe split...which worries me. Anyhow of to TSC I went to get some new hoses. So I find myself changin the oil in my hyrdaulic system again...at least I know it is clean!

:duh:

 

[castoff]

As long as you're having fun, then it's all good.

 

[kungdrew]

You mean you don't have the 007 oil slick feature?

Could come in handy if you encounter any villians while tooling around the property.

 

[GoldenCove]

Well....I got it back together using hoses rather than pipe. here is a picture of the pipe that split on me. I think it was worn from rubbing against the other pipe...it is tight under there.

Now for a question: I used a 2- 90 degree swivels and a 1/2 pipethread x 5/8 JCI for one of the hoses to be positioned better. One of the 90's came with the PTO system, the other I bought today at TSC. It is a 1/2 pipethread x 1/2 pipe thread . The 90 degree 1/2x1/2 pipethread is leaking. Should I have used paste or tape on that connection?

Here is a photo:

 

[castoff]

You don't use teflon tape on hydraulic systems. Use a high quality pipe sealant that comes in a can or tube.

 

[GoldenCove]

:thanku: Thanks Castoff :thanku:

 

[wurkenman]

Let me know when you get out here again if the tractor is quieter with the rubber hoses. Mine has a terrible hydraulic whine, and I was thinking about changing to hoses too.

 

[GoldenCove]

Wurkenman,

I did not notice a big difference in the noise.

 

[Nutcase446]

I'm not saying this to be dissagreeable but-there is nothing wrong with teflon tape on tapered pipe threads in hydraulic systems. It's all that I have ever used and by this time, I have put thousands of fittings together without a problem. Case used to recomend either tape or pipe sealant. The trick with the tape is to start 2 threads from the end to eliminate the potential of a piece getting in the system. I would say that if you are the least bit unsure of this, use liquid. If it's 8 PM and the parts store is closed and you need to put a fitting together and don't have liquid don't be afraid of tape.

 

[castoff]

One of the problems with using teflon tape is this that you might get away with no issues the first time you put something together but what about the next time? If you unscrew a NPT fitting and a piece of that teflon tape remains in the female or it falls into the female fitting unnoticed, then that piece could be pushed into the oil stream. From there, it could get lodged in the holding valve and create havoc there.

I don't disagree that it can be used successfully but to me, it just isn't worth the risk. If I never use teflon tape on a hydraulic system, then I never have to worry about chunks of it ending up in the system should I have to take something apart, such as changing a blown hose. You only have to have this happen to you one time and then you will never use tape again.

 

[wurkenman]

I rarely use anything on NPT fittings. They are tapered and designed for an interference fit. I have never had a leak just making sure they are tight, or over snug. I gave up long ago making sure things were "stupid tight", I got tired of replacing broken stuff.:fing20:

 

[Bob Mac]

Hi All,
I do play the teflon tape game at times grabbing the third thread when I know better but still I do it. I know that teflon paste is the better thing to do. As castoff says when and if you have to take it apart then the fun starts especially if you go in to clean it up with a cotton Q tip without thinking. It's funny, if you are from the aircraft maintenance arena then you have a conflict as the aircraft folks don't like teflon paste. Being from both arenas I still have internal conflict when putting pipe threads together as I have had to dig out both tape and paste from hydraulic system control and pressure regulating valves. I think that the good approach is correct and minimal application of either. By military directive when I inspected a new aircraft mechanics tool box I had them quickly dispose of any sort of pipe sealant paste and other items such as expired items.
Bob MacGregor in CT:banghead3:crybaby:raying::thThumbsU

 

[Nutcase446]

You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks. I guess that I was taught with the tape and just never changed. I do agree that whatever you use keep it to a minimum. Gregg

 

[Bob Mac]

Hi Tom,
A recent chafed area will be silver and smooth. If your pic is correct, that chafe looks old and corroded, possibly it was there before you installed the tubes. If you recall what the fittings look like on your Hydrabagger motor, they are what you need to connect a hose into your system in place of the tubes. I'm not very familiar with JCI or JIC fittings having been and aircraft mech for too many years so I will do some research before you come on Monday so I can show you what I am refering to.
Mad Mackie in CT :banghead3raying::fing32::thThumbsU

 

[GoldenCove]

Thanks Mac :thanku: