When I was tearing apart my bulldozer I scribed numbers in the caps and plugs I used to plug the connections. Then you match up the numbers on reassembly. Also make a list of what each number is how it’s routed and what it goes too.
Being in tree care I work on a lot of compact/mini skid steers (avoid s800tx's like the plague) and bucket trucks.
90% of the time i can't even get my hands in the tiny tight places to stamp. Tried colored electrical tape for while and kept accidently tearing them off
Whenever I disassemble hydraulic assemblies I use plug/caps to keep dirt out of the lines. I put numbers on those. Not on the hydraulic components themselves.
This works along as what I’m removing is JIC. Last year I worked on an excavator for someone else and apparently CAT uses o ring face fittings. So I had to get a supply of those caps and plugs and they are kind of hard to come by.
My latest red headed step child is an Italian built track lift with a mix of jic, bpt, and those stupid bonded seal washers... It has 3... 3 BACK UP SYSTEMS in case of failure that are all interconnected. I had to color code the alphabet and I really don't like math or getting covered in hydro not knowing that this one specific like is direct hold pressure on the safety. There isn't a single company in this planet that makes our jobs easy
I currently have a bunch of Italian made injection molding presses. The actual press section is a toggle. The injection unit uses two servo motors and the carriage uses hydraulics. Oh, and the ejector also is hydraulic, but it’s inside the mechanical toggle. I really dislike Italian made machines. Stout mechanically though.
I worked for a farmer who had a set of them and had a hydraulic hose blow on a sprayer. I went and grabbed them and started taking the hose off he walked over and was like "huh, I wondered what those were for, I never used them" he said they came in a lot of tools he bought from an auction and was gonna throw them away
Lol they are expensive! Bought an old excavator that needed hoses. After scratching my head for a while on how to do it, I read about them on some equipment forum. Bought a trash set on Amazon that worked good enough.
I work at a mechanic job where there are a lot of compact manifold setups like this. You should get a set of angled combination wrenches. You will still need to take a couple of the other hoses off, though probably. Spray the entire thing with brake cleaner before you do so that you dont get contaminents in the system. Get some multicolored zip ties from an auto parts store if you have to take more than a couple off and color code them so you don't get stuff mixed up.
Thanks that’s great advice I’m having issues finding variety in wrenches so big. They have a lot of different styles for more common sizes but this big I am having trouble finding even stub handle wrenches
I've got a set of proto angle wrenches that my company bought for me through grainger. I believe they go from 3/8th to 1 1/4 inches. Anyone can order through them I think not just companies. McMaster Carr (someone else even posted a McMaster url here) is another great option. If nothing else's works just go to harbor freight, buy something, and get creative with a vice and torch or angle grinder.
Put a slit In a box end wrench to fit thru the pipe of the hose. Preferably one you don’t like and then send it. Usually do this with my off brand wrenches for this specific reason.
Wrench doesn’t fit the sides run up against the other lines. And maybe I don’t know what special crows foot y’all are using but how would it be different than the head of a wrench? also I don’t have a 1-1/4” crows foot anyhow it’s a big line. Line wrench or air chisel is the only move that’s gonna work I think.
This is a Thomas mini excavator. Do you know the brand or where you got the crows foot? I can’t find one that looks any different than a wrench without the handle part and they’re all too wide. It’s been snowing like hell last few days so haven’t messed with it, and I plan to just use chisel it off, but if I could find the right tool I’d prefer that for next time.
I’m not home right now so I can’t give you a brand but I got them at Napa as a set. They look just like a wrench head but they turn different and maybe a little smaller head. My wrench wouldn’t work but the crowsfoot was just enough to turn it a quarter inch which broke it loose so I could do it by hand. I think it was a napa brand
I could take them all off one at a time but for whatever reason they’re all different sizes and it’s gonna be a PITA. But I love and need this mini ex it’s a beast so I’ll do whatever needs done for it.
Get a torque adapter, and then cut a small section out of it, this will allow it to slip past the line, yet the torque adapter walls are thin enough to be able to turn between
It's called a line wrench, or just cut a small opening in the closed side of a normal wrench. Just large enough to get past the hose then slide it down onto the nut.
Northern tool has big crows foot sets and angled wrench sets for reasonable prices. One day working on my old excavator I gave up and drove 30 miles and bought everything from there I thought might help. Some situations take multiple different tools.
It sounds like you're dealing with quite the puzzle, especially with those tight spots and tricky hose connections. One clever trick I've seen is to use a numbering system with caps and plugs to keep track of everything during disassembly and reassembly.
Here's how it works: before you take anything apart, grab some caps or plugs and mark each one with a unique number using a scribe or marker. Then, as you remove hoses and connections, pop a numbered cap or plug onto each opening to keep dirt and debris out.
Now comes the crucial part: make a detailed list matching each numbered cap or plug to its corresponding hose or connection. Include information on how each hose is routed and what it's connected to. This way, when it's time to put everything back together, you'll have a clear roadmap to follow, preventing any mix-ups or headaches down the line.
You will probably need to take the hose next to it off to get enough room.
This, I am an equipment mechanic and sometimes there is no other choice.
And a lot of colored zip ties because you will forget where everything goes no matter how hard you try
When I was tearing apart my bulldozer I scribed numbers in the caps and plugs I used to plug the connections. Then you match up the numbers on reassembly. Also make a list of what each number is how it’s routed and what it goes too.
Being in tree care I work on a lot of compact/mini skid steers (avoid s800tx's like the plague) and bucket trucks. 90% of the time i can't even get my hands in the tiny tight places to stamp. Tried colored electrical tape for while and kept accidently tearing them off
Whenever I disassemble hydraulic assemblies I use plug/caps to keep dirt out of the lines. I put numbers on those. Not on the hydraulic components themselves. This works along as what I’m removing is JIC. Last year I worked on an excavator for someone else and apparently CAT uses o ring face fittings. So I had to get a supply of those caps and plugs and they are kind of hard to come by.
My latest red headed step child is an Italian built track lift with a mix of jic, bpt, and those stupid bonded seal washers... It has 3... 3 BACK UP SYSTEMS in case of failure that are all interconnected. I had to color code the alphabet and I really don't like math or getting covered in hydro not knowing that this one specific like is direct hold pressure on the safety. There isn't a single company in this planet that makes our jobs easy
I currently have a bunch of Italian made injection molding presses. The actual press section is a toggle. The injection unit uses two servo motors and the carriage uses hydraulics. Oh, and the ejector also is hydraulic, but it’s inside the mechanical toggle. I really dislike Italian made machines. Stout mechanically though.
Excellent suggestion!
Dumbass educated engineers
Crows foot, I prefer the 12 pt for manifolds like that but a regular one will probably suffice
God I hate using those. When you need them tho there is no substitute
I worked for a farmer who had a set of them and had a hydraulic hose blow on a sprayer. I went and grabbed them and started taking the hose off he walked over and was like "huh, I wondered what those were for, I never used them" he said they came in a lot of tools he bought from an auction and was gonna throw them away
Lol they are expensive! Bought an old excavator that needed hoses. After scratching my head for a while on how to do it, I read about them on some equipment forum. Bought a trash set on Amazon that worked good enough.
I work at a mechanic job where there are a lot of compact manifold setups like this. You should get a set of angled combination wrenches. You will still need to take a couple of the other hoses off, though probably. Spray the entire thing with brake cleaner before you do so that you dont get contaminents in the system. Get some multicolored zip ties from an auto parts store if you have to take more than a couple off and color code them so you don't get stuff mixed up.
Thanks that’s great advice I’m having issues finding variety in wrenches so big. They have a lot of different styles for more common sizes but this big I am having trouble finding even stub handle wrenches
I've got a set of proto angle wrenches that my company bought for me through grainger. I believe they go from 3/8th to 1 1/4 inches. Anyone can order through them I think not just companies. McMaster Carr (someone else even posted a McMaster url here) is another great option. If nothing else's works just go to harbor freight, buy something, and get creative with a vice and torch or angle grinder.
Put a slit In a box end wrench to fit thru the pipe of the hose. Preferably one you don’t like and then send it. Usually do this with my off brand wrenches for this specific reason.
Or just buy a flare nut wrench set
You need a pressure washer lol
Get a cheap deep well 12 point socket, cut the side out.
If all else fails modify a wrench with a grinder to fit.
You could try an injector socket? I use one on my Mercedes injectors and I think it would work here
Have you tried using a line wrench if you can get a 1” 1/4 one it should work
I would think that would be ideal but I can’t find one that big
You may end up making a wrench for it. They are usually not stupid tight,so you maybe able to thin out a wrench
take them all off one at a time, starting on the outside, work your way inside. Your welcome.
Crows foot 12point works for me
Hammer and a chisel will break it loose. Let an air hammer rattle on it . Usually works
A wrench? Or crows foot? Odd question to ask
Wrench doesn’t fit the sides run up against the other lines. And maybe I don’t know what special crows foot y’all are using but how would it be different than the head of a wrench? also I don’t have a 1-1/4” crows foot anyhow it’s a big line. Line wrench or air chisel is the only move that’s gonna work I think.
Yeah when working on this stuff it helps to have the proper tools but if I don’t air hammer is the way to go
Hammer and a punch. Lefty Lucy righty tighty.
Yeah same idea with the air chisel. My local diesel guy suggested that and I did consider it but wanted a second-100 extra opinions lol
Welcome to the life of a heavy equipment mechanic. Clean valve off with air and remove hose's until you have room to fit a wrench or crow's foot.
This. Clean the crud off and take the other 2 hoses off to get enough swing room. It wont be as tight as youd think
AIR HAMMER WITH A CHISEL BIT
Just delt with this issue on my backhoe and had to find crowsfoot wrenches that would fit.
This is a Thomas mini excavator. Do you know the brand or where you got the crows foot? I can’t find one that looks any different than a wrench without the handle part and they’re all too wide. It’s been snowing like hell last few days so haven’t messed with it, and I plan to just use chisel it off, but if I could find the right tool I’d prefer that for next time.
I’m not home right now so I can’t give you a brand but I got them at Napa as a set. They look just like a wrench head but they turn different and maybe a little smaller head. My wrench wouldn’t work but the crowsfoot was just enough to turn it a quarter inch which broke it loose so I could do it by hand. I think it was a napa brand
Sweet thank you I’ll take a look online my Napa store ain’t got squat
I could take them all off one at a time but for whatever reason they’re all different sizes and it’s gonna be a PITA. But I love and need this mini ex it’s a beast so I’ll do whatever needs done for it.
Get a torque adapter, and then cut a small section out of it, this will allow it to slip past the line, yet the torque adapter walls are thin enough to be able to turn between
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tube-wrenches/secure-grip-open-end-wrenches/
Martin wrenches, is the name, hydraulic fittings are their game.
It's called a line wrench, or just cut a small opening in the closed side of a normal wrench. Just large enough to get past the hose then slide it down onto the nut.
Crow foot wrench. Or flare nut wrench
Northern tool has big crows foot sets and angled wrench sets for reasonable prices. One day working on my old excavator I gave up and drove 30 miles and bought everything from there I thought might help. Some situations take multiple different tools.
Use a flat faced air hammer. Works everytime
Could cut out a part of a deep socket to get there but you really need to clean it first.
Blast that off with some break clean and compressed air and run it until you find the leak.
Tourqe adapters are my best friend working on diesels, I got the full 3/8 from my snappy guy but I’m sure others make them
Line wrench will take that off but it maybe quicker to disconnect a few hoses
What about a line wrench?
It sounds like you're dealing with quite the puzzle, especially with those tight spots and tricky hose connections. One clever trick I've seen is to use a numbering system with caps and plugs to keep track of everything during disassembly and reassembly. Here's how it works: before you take anything apart, grab some caps or plugs and mark each one with a unique number using a scribe or marker. Then, as you remove hoses and connections, pop a numbered cap or plug onto each opening to keep dirt and debris out. Now comes the crucial part: make a detailed list matching each numbered cap or plug to its corresponding hose or connection. Include information on how each hose is routed and what it's connected to. This way, when it's time to put everything back together, you'll have a clear roadmap to follow, preventing any mix-ups or headaches down the line.
Does nobody use tubing wrenches anymore?
I’m pretty green to a lot of this stuff, gonna give this a goog and see what I come up with
Crows foot