Looking for a tip on how to get the back-pressure out of your Skid Steer's Hydraulic Lines? Can't get one of the couplers off... Here's our take on the situation you might be in or find yourself in someday.

Have other Skid Steer Compatibility questions related to attachments? Visit our "Will it Fit" page.

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Disconnecting an attachment from a Skid Steer Loader is a routine task, but it's important to take the proper safety precautions to avoid any potential hazards. One of the most crucial steps in safely disconnecting an attachment is to relieve the pressure from the hydraulic lines. Here's what you need to know about how to relieve pressure from hydraulic lines to disconnect an attachment from a Skid Steer Loader.

Step 1: Turn Off the Skid Steer Loader

The first step in relieving the pressure from the hydraulic lines is to turn off the Skid Steer Loader. This will shut off the power to the hydraulic system, preventing the attachment from moving. Remember, if you want to park your attachment in a certain way, you may need to open or close a cylinder in one direction to get it to park the way you'd like. That's totally fine, just be sure to run the controls in the opposite direction for just a split second to alleviate some of the pressure in the lines. If you run the hydraulics in one direction and don't reverse for that split second, you'll have maximum pressure in the lines of the attachment.

Step 2: Lower the Attachment to the Ground

Lowering the attachment to the ground completely will also help to relieve pressure from the hydraulic lines. This is because the weight of the attachment will push any remaining fluid out of the lines and back into the reservoir.

Step 3: Move the Control Levers

Once the attachment is on the ground, move the control levers on the Skid Steer Loader to their neutral position. This will help to release any trapped pressure in the lines. This is probably the most forgettable part of the process, but trust us, all of these little things add up pressure in the lines.

Step 4: Loosen the Hydraulic Connections

With the pressure released from the hydraulic lines, you can now safely loosen the hydraulic connections on the attachment. You can help make this easier by simply pressing on each of the male & female couplers to bleed off the pressure from the hoses. Go back and forth a couple of times before disconnecting for the easy disconnection.

(Our founder, Robert Leib, gives a great overview and instructional below). 

Step 5: Remove the Attachment

After loosening the hydraulic connections, you can now remove the attachment from the Skid Steer Loader. Make sure to support the weight of the attachment as you remove it to prevent any damage to the hydraulic lines or fittings.

Our Final Thoughts…

Relieving pressure from hydraulic lines is a critical step in safely disconnecting an attachment from a Skid Steer Loader. Following these steps will help to ensure that the process is safe and straightforward. If you have any doubts or concerns, it's always best to consult the manufacturer's instructions or a professional technician to ensure that you're following the proper safety protocols. Oh, and did we mention that you can always call us at 866-966-2538, and we'd be glad to help you out.

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