Making your own hydraulic plugs

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Tazza

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Just a little tip for anyone that wants to plug off lines when working on their machines.
Any old hoses you have with fittings that will just be thrown out, you can cut the fitting off rite at the point that the hose finishes. With the hose and the bulk of the fitting removed, weld the hole up and presto! a cheap hydraulic fitting plug. I have made quite a few of these and they come in really handy when removing cylinders/pumps, anything really. It will hold pressure so on minor parts you can still operate the machine without leaking oil everywhere. I just need to get more larger hoses that i can pinch the old fittings off.
Just a handy tip that i have found invaluable. Sure, you can buy the proper ones, but these are free!!! It just costs you a bit of time.
I hope someone finds this handy, i know i sure have.
 

Fishfiles

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Feb 8, 2007
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Cool........
Another thing that you can do instead of welding is to tap threads and plug the hole , I have found the sizes of the I.D. of the fittings really close to pipe tap , some have to be reamed out with a drill
 

Luthor

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Nov 15, 2005
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Another thing that you can do instead of welding is to tap threads and plug the hole , I have found the sizes of the I.D. of the fittings really close to pipe tap , some have to be reamed out with a drill
Personally I would not bother making them unless I was really desperate as caps and plugs are really cheap from the local hydraulic shop. I have gathered a full range to suit my 743.
 

skidsteer.ca

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Personally I would not bother making them unless I was really desperate as caps and plugs are really cheap from the local hydraulic shop. I have gathered a full range to suit my 743.
If you visit your favorite hyd shop they shoul be able to point you at a whole barrel of garbage hoses for ends.
I keep a full range of plugs and caps in my service truck. More then once it has save me by sealing the leak and getting me back on the trailer and back to the shop.
They are not that expensive, but still a good tip. I have welded 2 fittings into one to make something I did not have at a remote location.
I have a 3/8 by 4" course bolt I keep around to remind of the time I had a 2 1/2 long one but needed a 4" to mount a altenator and had to cut, lenghten and reweld to get one.
Either drive 6 hours or spend 45 minutes making it. It now reminds me to write down what we take from inventory each week so it get on the "bring it to work" next week list.
You know you are "back in the sticks" when you have to make a $0.20 bolt!
Ken
 

sterlclan

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May 1, 2004
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If you visit your favorite hyd shop they shoul be able to point you at a whole barrel of garbage hoses for ends.
I keep a full range of plugs and caps in my service truck. More then once it has save me by sealing the leak and getting me back on the trailer and back to the shop.
They are not that expensive, but still a good tip. I have welded 2 fittings into one to make something I did not have at a remote location.
I have a 3/8 by 4" course bolt I keep around to remind of the time I had a 2 1/2 long one but needed a 4" to mount a altenator and had to cut, lenghten and reweld to get one.
Either drive 6 hours or spend 45 minutes making it. It now reminds me to write down what we take from inventory each week so it get on the "bring it to work" next week list.
You know you are "back in the sticks" when you have to make a $0.20 bolt!
Ken
yup my "local"suppliers are an hour away...........3.30 a gal for gas..........45 an hour labor.........truck that gets 3-4 mpg...........profit goes quick.........Jeff
 
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Tazza

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yup my "local"suppliers are an hour away...........3.30 a gal for gas..........45 an hour labor.........truck that gets 3-4 mpg...........profit goes quick.........Jeff
I have been in that situation before. It usually happens on Saturday at around 12:00 rite when my dealer closes up. I need a part and they open again on Monday! They are about a 40 minute drive away too.
In a moment of desperation its amazing what you can make :)
As for the plugs, i have never actually checked on how much they actually cost.... But these are free, you can't beat that! I did buy plastic ones that are only to keep dirt out, they do their job but hopeless at sealing even if the hose is removed the fitting will leak. They served their purpose, again this was in a moment of need.
 

perry

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Aug 22, 2006
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I have been in that situation before. It usually happens on Saturday at around 12:00 rite when my dealer closes up. I need a part and they open again on Monday! They are about a 40 minute drive away too.
In a moment of desperation its amazing what you can make :)
As for the plugs, i have never actually checked on how much they actually cost.... But these are free, you can't beat that! I did buy plastic ones that are only to keep dirt out, they do their job but hopeless at sealing even if the hose is removed the fitting will leak. They served their purpose, again this was in a moment of need.
You are absolutely correct Tazza, Many..many times I've needed a quick fix and of course, THEY were closed...........
 
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