Prevent Dangerous Failures: Proper Installation of Hydraulic Hoses

When installing hydraulic hoses for industrial equipment, it’s crucial to follow the correct procedures to avoid early failures. Despite the variety in hydraulic hose assemblies—each with its unique materials, pressure ratings, temperature ratings, fittings, and components—the fundamental principles of installation remain consistent. Proper installation can prevent failures caused by incorrect practices. For custom hydraulic hoses in Fall River, visit Metro Industrial & Marine Supply, where our technicians can create custom hoses for most orders while you wait.

Choose the Right Length

To enhance Automotive Lift Repair Florida machinery performance, selecting the appropriate length for hydraulic hoses is key. Designed to be flexible, these hoses can accommodate some movement between the components they connect, simplifying routing and installation compared to rigid tubes or pipes. Ensure the hose length allows for proper contraction, expansion, and movement based on your machinery’s needs. Too much movement can cause the hose to pull away from the coupling interface, while too little flexibility can lead to strain.

Monitor Hose Bends

Be cautious with the bends you make when installing Automotive Lift Repair Florida hydraulic hoses. While manufacturers may specify the allowable bend radius or suggest tolerances beyond standard requirements, it’s best not to exceed these limits. Consider using hoses that are slightly longer to avoid tight bends. Hoses can elongate by up to two percent under pressure and contract by up to four percent. Excessive bending can strain the reinforcement wires, leading to failure. Longer hoses can help account for this contraction.

Minimize Bends and Twists

To extend the lifespan of your Automotive Lift Repair Florida hydraulic hoses, bend them in a single plane to prevent twisting and damage to the wire reinforcement layer. Twists can severely reduce hose performance under pressure, shortening its service life by up to 90%, depending on the severity. If a double-plane bend is necessary, use a hose clamp between bends to reduce strain, though this may not be a universal solution. Seek guidance from a hydraulics expert or the manufacturer for the best approach.

Prevent Abrasion

Bends and twists can also cause abrasion, a common cause of hose failure. Ensure that the hose does not rub against any surfaces, including itself or other hoses, as this can significantly reduce its lifespan. Use abrasion-resistant covers and sleeves if needed, but minimize abrasion by ensuring that nothing touches or rubs the hose. Be aware of abrasive particles in the air and the equipment environment to prevent premature hose failure. When ordering replacement hoses, consider the equipment’s operating conditions to ensure compatibility.

How to Install a Hydraulic Hose

Automotive Lift Repair Florida Hydraulic hoses are commonly used in various vehicles, from cars and vans to farm equipment like tractors and heavy machinery such as forklifts. If a hydraulic hose begins to leak oil, it may need replacement.

The most efficient way to replace a hydraulic hose is with a hydraulic hose kit, which typically includes all necessary components and may come with instructions. If you don’t have instructions, this guide will help you install the hose yourself.

The process is moderately difficult and requires tools and parts such as new hydraulic hose fittings, clamps, chains, a pipe wrench, a multi-purpose wrench, rags, buckets, working clothes, gloves, and protective eyeglasses.

Steps for Installing a Automotive Lift Repair Florida Hydraulic Hose

1. Locate and Assess: Identify the damaged hose and determine which parts of your vehicle need to be removed to access it. Note the hydraulic component to which the hose is connected and check if other hydraulic components have weight or live loads. Lower any attachments supported by the hydraulic cylinder to the ground, or chain them for safety. Gather your tools.

2. Remove the Hose: Use wrenches to disconnect the hose fittings. One wrench should hold the stationary side of the coupling while the other turns the movable side to separate them without damaging the O-ring. Remove any clamps or attachments that might obstruct the hose removal, including the cylinder if necessary. Loosen and detach the fitting connecting the hose to the hydraulic system, noting how it connects.

3. Prepare for Replacement: Remove the hose while ensuring both ends are detached. Be cautious of any oil that may spill. Plug the fittings with clean rags or a threaded cap to keep out debris. Clean the oil from the hose and either take it to an auto shop for immediate replacement or search online for options. Before installing the new hose, clean the fittings thoroughly to remove any dirt.

4. Install the New Automotive Lift Repair Florida Hose: Position the new hose as the old one was placed. Reuse old clamps if they are in good condition, or use new ones from your kit if the old clamps are damaged. Check the fluid level, start your vehicle, and inspect for leaks after starting.

Several SAE Standards govern the performance requirements for hydraulic hose assemblies, including SAE J517, J516, and J343.

Automotive Lift Repair Florida Hydraulic hoses claiming to meet SAE J517 standards (e.g., SAE 100R1 and SAE 100R2) must be designed and certified according to SAE’s criteria. These criteria cover stringent dimensional tolerances (inside, outside, and braid diameters), types of compounds and reinforcements, length changes, cold flexibility, and resistance to ozone and heat. Additionally, SAE J517 specifies burst pressure and impulse requirements for coupled assemblies. The general and dimensional standards for hydraulic hose fittings are detailed in SAE J526.

Hydraulic hose fittings that adhere to SAE J516 standards are precisely defined by SAE regarding material type, dimensions, and finish. The SAE manual notes that J516 fittings are intended for use with hydraulic hoses specified in SAE J517 and are suitable for hydraulic systems on both mobile and stationary equipment.

SAE J343 establishes uniform methods for testing and evaluating the performance of SAE 100R series hydraulic hoses and hose assemblies. Coupled assemblies must meet or exceed SAE performance criteria as described.

The reliability of any hose assembly relies on both the components and fittings meeting rigorous SAE requirements and the assembly being performed by skilled professionals, regardless of the manufacturing origin. Testing has been conducted on Kurt Manufacturing fittings coupled with Semperit hydraulic hose, and these assemblies have passed SAE performance criteria.