Leaking Bobcat Quick Couplers? What NOT to Do

Leaking hydraulic fluid in any type of hydraulic application poses serious risks for operators and the environment. Hydraulic quick couplers on skid steer machines like a Bobcat can pose challenges when connecting under residual or thermal pressure and can leak upon quick disconnect.  If you are experiencing leaking hydraulic couplers on your skid steer machine, here are some tips on what NOT to do: 

1)  Do not over tighten thinking that’s all you need to do – you may overtighten the coupler thinking the tighter the better, although this can ruin the integrity of the seal and is one of the most common culprits of leaking couplers.  Examine the connection of the fitting prior to over torqueing. 

2)  Do not use your hands to check for leaks – leaking hydraulic fluid may reach temperatures exceeding 300° F causing serious burns if exposed to skin.  Even a small pinhole leak can quickly penetrate gloves when exerted under high pressure and velocity. 

3)  Do not re-use O-rings – we always recommend replacing the coupler rather than replacing O-rings as re-using an O-ring can make it susceptible to cracking and jeopardize the integrity of the connection. 

4) Do not forget to relieve pressure – it’s very important to depressurize the hydraulic system before inspecting connections.  Most Bobcats have a pressure disconnect to relieve pressure prior to disconnection.  

5)  Do not forget about flammability – even a pinhole leak can create a flammable vapor.  Keep all sources of flame far away from any hydraulic fluid leak. 

6)  Do no assume it’s the fitting that is leaking – drips occur at the lowest point of gravity, the leak point may be different from the drip point.  Examine the entire circuit for leaks. 

7)  Never ignore a hydraulic fluid leak – even what appears to be a minor leak could be indicative of a more serious problem which could affect performance.  

Contact a hydraulic quick connect specialist for more tips on identifying and replacing leaking quick couplers on skid steer or any hydraulic equipment.

Stucchi Offers Leak Free Skid Steer Hydraulic Solutions

Stucchi offers hydraulic solutions for leaking skid steer couplers and many other applications.  We offer a wide selection of couplers ideal on skid steer machines such as the APM which easily connects under residual or thermal pressure and features a flat face, leak free design.  Our Saturn block features a user-friendly relief system and is a direct field replacement for skid steer couplings. 

Stucchi offers hydraulic solutions to improve performance and safety while preventing downtime and hydraulic fluid leaks.  We offer personalized service to assist you with solving any hydraulic leak issue to improve your overall business operations.  Contact us with any questions and to learn more about our leak-free hydraulic solutions.