Hydraulic Hose Maintenance Tips

Hydraulic Hose Maintenance Tips

Hydraulic systems are essential for your machine's performance, giving it the power to dig, lift, and maneuver on the jobsite. Hydraulic hoses are crucial components, because they are responsible for delivering the fluid that makes those movements possible. Hose failure will grind your work to a halt, lead to expensive repairs, and cause costly downtime. It's important to inspect and service your hoses as part of your regular heavy equipment maintenance routine. Follow these tips and best practices for choosing the correct hose and preventing failure.

Use the right hydraulic hoses

When deciding on your hydraulic hoses, you have to pay attention to several key characteristics:

• Working pressure – Only choose a hose that is rated to withstand the working pressure of the machine.
• Wire or sheathing – If the hydraulic hose will be in an area exposed to pinching or crushing, you need one with wire or sheathing for added protection.
• Fluid – Make sure your hose is compatible with the fluids that are used in your specific piece of equipment.
• Size/Inner diameter – Using the correct size hose is very important for avoiding restriction and ensuring proper flow. When fluid rubs against the inner surface of the hose, the restriction creates heat, raises back pressure, and hinders movement.
• Match the fluid viscosity to the operating temperature – In order to achieve the longest component life possible, the fluid's viscosity grade should be sufficient for the operating temperature range of the hydraulic system. Check your owner's manual for the correct grade.

Protect your hydraulic hoses

Conditions are often harsh on a construction site, and you need your hydraulic systems and hoses to stand up to difficult environments. Debris like rebar, chunks of rock, or concrete, structures near the work area, and other objects can nick, tear, or cut your hose, resulting in system failure. Hydraulic hoses that are exposed to the elements must be covered or include a protective shield to minimize the chances of expensive damage.

Check your hoses regularly

One of the most important parts of heavy equipment maintenance is to inspect your hydraulic hoses and the seals used in fittings and adapters before starting each shift. Be on the lookout for visible signs of damage, and make sure that all the components are in good condition. If you notice any excessive wear, we recommend replacing or repairing the hose before it breaks completely.

Route your hydraulic hoses correctly

Most cases of hydraulic hose failure are a result of abrasion. If your hose is continuously rubbing against a surface, other component, or another hose, it will wear away its outer layers. Over time, it will become weak and end up leaking or breaking. To prevent this situation from happening, you should reroute your hose away from pivot points or sections of the machine that cause excessive rubbing.

Don't run hoses through high temperature areas

Similar to abrasion, high temperatures can cause serious damage to your hydraulic systems, so you don't want to route them through hot parts of your machine. If hoses are consistently exposed to very high heat levels, they start to lose their flexibility and stiffen. The inner tube of the hose may begin to harden and crack, potentially leading to leakage and breakage.

Replace hydraulic filters at the recommended intervals

As the components in hydraulic systems experience normal wear and tear and gradually break down, small particles can contaminate your hydraulic fluid. That contamination can lead to accelerated wear, cuts, and abrasion within the hose, and eventual hydraulic hose failure. In order to avoid contaminated fluid, it's critical that you change your filters at the intervals outlined by your manufacturer. Inspecting your filters should be a part of your normal heavy equipment maintenance routine.

Keep contaminants out of your hydraulic system

A critical part of heavy equipment maintenance is to ensure your fittings stay clean. Avoid getting sand, dirt, or other materials on your hydraulic fittings, and clean them before each connection. You should also use caps and plugs when your equipment is not being operated to prevent contaminants from entering the system.

Store your hoses properly

We recommend keeping your hydraulic hoses out of direct sunlight when storing your equipment. The sun accelerates deterioration, and high pressures can result when the oil expands in the hose, making connection more difficult.

What if your hydraulic hose fails?

Generally, a hose fails due to misapplication, deterioration, or improper maintenance. If it does fail, you should turn off the machine immediately to prevent further damage. Give the hydraulic system time enough time to cool and release pressure, so you can properly inspect it. Do not search for the leak using your hands, as hydraulic fluids can penetrate the skin and pose a significant risk to your health. Contact our team to inspect your hydraulic system and replace the hose if necessary.

If you have any questions about hydraulic hose failure, your hydraulic system, or heavy equipment maintenance in general, contact our team today!