[JSB Case]

Hello gentlemen,

I was looking at the hydraulic lines for the loader on my 646 and the outer coating looks like white woven cloth or fabric of some type. I assume and expect that there was a rubber outer coating on these lines originally?

I checked my brother's 646 and his lines look the same as mine. There are no traces of any other material that may have been on the lines of either tractor.

There is nothing wrong with the lines at this point, but it is something that I might replace while refreshing the rest of the tractor. (Essientially for cosmetics.) Any input about the OEM lines is appreciated.

 

[Hydriv]

Most hydraulic hoses have a smooth rubber outer cover that protects the steel braid used to give the hose the strength against bursting.

Some brands of hose have the sort of covering you speak to. All hydraulic hoses have a lifespan and most people replace them only when a leak shows up. If you were going to do a total restoration to the tractor, then all new hoses would be a nice touch from a cosmetic point of view. But if you intend to keep working the tractor, then why bother?

 

[Nutcase446]

In the 70s Case and a lot of other manufacturers went to a plastic coated hose instead of rubber (I believe the type that Case used was Synflex). It was shiny unlike rubber. Over many years the plastic would fall off. I believe that only the 1/4" hoses on Case GT were synflex. Almost every Case GT that you find from the 70s has white hoses because the outer coat came off. They also had synthetic reinforcement instead of steel. About the only place that this hose is used any more is in boom trucks where the hoses could conduct electricty if they had steel in them. Gregg

 

[Hydriv]

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that type of hose construction.

 

[Nutcase446]

Tom, The 3pt and the flexable part of the lift lines on 200 and 400s used this hose as well as 600 series loader lines. If you see that white wrap exposed generally there is no steel in that line. Most companies went back to rubber because the outer coat stood up better. I have also seen the main pump to valve pressure line made with this material but that is more rare. Gregg

 

[JSB Case]

Tom, The 3pt and the flexable part of the lift lines on 200 and 400s used this hose as well as 600 series loader lines.

I just looked at the top hydraulic hose on my 448's 3 point hitch and you are 100% correct. The hose is fabric-like and still has some black, brittle plastic coating left on it that flakes off very easily. Now I see what the orginal 646 loader lines would have looked like.

The more I think about it, the less I want to mess with the lines. The fittings look very specialized and are probably expensive to replace. Since I'm not really looking for a museum quality restoration, I'll wait for the lines to fail and cross the bridge then.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Nutcase446]

I think that you will be surprized how reasonably priced small hydraulic hoses are. A lot of NAPA stores make them. All hyd. hoses can cause problems when they burst but the ones pointing at the operator are really dangerous. You may want to consider at least the 4 coming out of the top of the control valve. Those who have experianced a hot hydraulic oil bath will tell you that it is not much fun. If I remember right, you just got this tractor. Do you know how long it's been sitting? Gregg

 

[JSB Case]

I think that you will be surprized how reasonably priced small hydraulic hoses are. A lot of NAPA stores make them. All hyd. hoses can cause problems when they burst but the ones pointing at the operator are really dangerous. You may want to consider at least the 4 coming out of the top of the control valve. Those who have experianced a hot hydraulic oil bath will tell you that it is not much fun. If I remember right, you just got this tractor. Do you know how long it's been sitting? Gregg

Very good point Gregg. I have no intentions of wearing hot oil, from a tractor that is!

I know that some fittings can be reused and new hose fit onto them. Do you know if these fittings are those type? If it is a matter of replacing the hose, that would be a no brainer.

 

[Nutcase446]

You have to buy a complete hose assembly with the ends. If those are original, and it sounds like they are, the ends are crimped on and can't be reused. I would guess the hoses to be between $15 and $20. You can take one to NAPA or I think that you have Sanel up there for a quote. Gregg