Super C Hydraulic Pipe Fittings

I am in the process of replacing the starter on my 1954 Farmall Super C and had to replace some of the hydraulic piping that comes out of the control valve just behind the starter that goes to the rear hydraulic cylinder on the Fast Hitch. I noticed that the piping looked very similar to ordinary galvanized steel water/gas pipe. Since I needed to increase the vertical nipple length from 2" up to 6" to clear the starter, I went to the hardware store and found that the original 2" nipple fits into standard water pipe fittings. So I assumed they were the same. The only problem is, ordinary water pipe fittings, if they are schedule 80, is only good for 300 PSI. And the hydraulic pressures on tractors are usually in the 1250 to 4000 PSI range. So, should I use these water pipe fittings or find high-strength hydraulic fittings?
 
I' e wondered exactly the same thing and used ordinary galvanized hardware store plumbing, on my H, with no problems. For years. It's a mystery.
 
Yes, but my much more modern 1954 Super C probably has a much higher pressure hydraulic system than your much older H with the very early belly pump?
 
You should be good w/ hardware pipe and fittings but if you're worried McMaster-Carr can put your mind at ease. If I were to go that route I'd order stainless pipe and fittings.
 
Well, I got the new starter all back on the Super C. And it fired up quickly when I turned it over with the new starter. It sounds like a different animal when I crank it now so I think the old starter has been having problems for awhile. So, now for the other problem. I put the new hardware store galvanized 6" nipple in place of the original 2" nipple and the first time I pulled the hydraulic control it leaked out in a running stream. The original street L screwed into the control valve is fine. But its leaking where I screwed the new 6" nipple into the bottom of the original street L. So, now what do I do?
 
Now you know why the hardware store parts aren't rated for the pressure of a hydraulic system. The threads are not cut to much precision. Inspect them closely and you can probably see where each cutting edge of the die stopped when the threads were cut.

If you have to use plumbing fittings, use black iron rather than galvanized. No point contaminating the system with flakes of galvanizing. (same reason black iron is used for gas lines)
 
In the winter time I have one of those carryall deals (original) that slides into the fast hitch that I use to go cut firewood. And I can get 4, 3' diameter x 3' long pieces of oak tree on there and pick it up. But then the front of the tractor is so light I have to steer with the brakes. Even though I have front wheel weights on it. But of course I have no idea what the pressure on the hydraulic system is.
 
My 53 has black iron pipe fittings,I am the second owner so I would say they are factory opeor dealer. You must use good pipe dope,and the made in China crap will leak.
 
Take a look at the fitting you bought and see if they are made in china and if so take them back and get fittings made in USA. We have an ACE Hardware store that handles both the Chinese and American pipe fitting and Chinese pipe treads are poorly cut. Stay with black iron fitting hydraulic oil is said to make plating flake. I found out about Chinese pipe fitting when I had to put a new two spool valve on my B and every Chinese fitting leaked no matter how tight you tightened them.
 
I replaced that galvanized 6" long x 1/4" nipple that was leaking with a new one bought from the real plumbing supply place in town. It is an American made black steel pipe and the threads look like a fine machine screw (although tapered). So I put some good pipe dope on all the male threads and cleaned up all the angles and screw it all back together, tight. And no leaks. Now my 1954 Farmall Super C starts up fast with the new starter and there are no leaks from the hydraulic system even after operating it for awhile. I would like to thank everybody here that made suggestions that were very helpful and got me through this problem since I am not a hydraulic system plumber by trade. Now I just hope that schedule 40 steel pipe will hold up to the thousands of pounds of pressure in the hydraulic system on this Super C.
 
It's not "thousands of pounds of pressure." At best it is 1500PSI, if the pump is fresh, and then only when deadheaded.

The threads fit because they are both NPT threads. You can get nipples and fittings rated for hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic supply house if the black iron pipe worries you.
 

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