Tips to Select Hydraulic Hose

Hydraulic hose is an important component of a hydraulic system. It is the hose that connects various components or tools in the most efficient way in an hydraulic system. Components are positioned at convenient place because the hose has the ability to bend around corners across long distances or through tight spaces . The hydraulic hose standard thus plays an important role in the realm of industrial hydraulics today.

Selecting the proper hydraulic hose
Here are seven common factors that are to be considered during the hydraulic hose and coupling selection process. The entire seven steps can be abbreviated as STAMPED (Size, Temperature, Application, Materials, Pressure, Ends, and Delivery). .

• Size: Use a precision-engineered caliper to measure the inside and outside hose diameters which gives you the proper hose size for replacement. Hose outside diameter is necessary when hose-support clamps are used. Always cut the new hose the same length as the one being removed, when replacing a hose assembly. If the hose that is replaced is too short, there is chances that pressure may cause the hose to contract and be stretched. This leads to a reduced service life.


• Temperature: There is a maximum working temperature ranging from 200° to 300° F of all hydraulic hoses, based on the fluid temperature. Hoses can lose their flexibility when there is exposure to continuous high temperatures. If hydraulic oil with the proper viscosity is not used to hold up under high temperatures, this can further accentuate the problem. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Exceeding these temperature recommendations can reduce hose life by as much as 80%. When there is too much of exposure to high external and internal temperatures, the service of life of hose is decreased. In these situations, an additional barrier is usually required to protect hydraulic fluid from a possible source of ignition.


• Application: The net factor to consider is whether the selected hose meet bend radius requirements or not. This implies the minimum bend radius (in inches) that a hydraulic hose must meet. Exceeding this bend radius likely to destroy the hose reinforcement and reduce hose life. So to avoid this problem, route high-pressure hydraulic lines parallel to machine contours whenever possible. This can reduce line lengths and minimize the number of hard-angle, flow-restricting bends, thereby saving you money. Such routing also can protect lines from external damage and promote easier servicing.


• Materials: It is very important to consult a compatibility chart to check that the hose compound is compatible with the fluid used in the hydraulic system. Hugh temperature, fluid contamination, and concentration will affect the chemical compatibility of the fluid and the tube. Most hydraulic hoses are compatible with petroleum-based oils, though there might be problems with the biodegradeable or green fluids.


• Pressure capabilities:Hose working pressure must always be selected in such a way that it is greater than or equal to the maximum system pressure. This also includes pressure spikes. Pressure spikes greater than the published working pressure will shorten hose service life.


• Hose ends: There should be compatibility between coupling-to-hose mechanical interface with the hose selected. The proper mating thread end must be selected in such a way that the connection of the mating components will result in leak-free sealing. There are two categories of couplings to connect most types of hose: the permanent type and the field-attachable type.


• Delivery: The last factor to consider is the availability of the product. Is the product unique? How soon can it be delivered to the end user? It is also necessary to consider several options to maximize flexibility. There should not be much delay in the delivering of the hydraulic hoses as damaged hydraulic hose can damage the entire system.
  
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