4 Best practice tips when installing & routing hydraulic hose

Installing & routing hydraulic hoses within a circuit system is always a lot more than simply tightening the obvious connections. Hoses don’t last forever. But by observing some of HydPower’s best practice advice, you can help maximise their life and create more efficient systems in the process.

By following these great tips, you can extend the service life of your hoses fittings and components.

1. Allow Extra Length

When installing a simple hose where the routings say a straight line, the overall length must be longer than the distance from port to port. When a hose’s diameter increases to contain the force the length of itself will decrease. Depending on the pressure the length may decrease by as much as 4%. This means a one metre assembly would shorten by as much as 50mm. If there isn’t enough extra length in the hose, the hose fitting connections will be stressed, causing a leak or worse, the hose could pull loose from the fitting causing major failure.

2. The Bend Radius

Whilst hydraulic hose is flexible. It does have rigid properties and limited movement because of the reinforcement used to withstand high pressures inside the hose. One of those limitations is the hose minimum bend radius. The minimum bend radius is how much you can bend the hose before the reinforcement material begins to fail going from a smooth arc to a sharp angle.

3. Use Appropriate Fittings When Required

Another piece of best practice advice to follow when installing hydraulic hose assembly is to do with the area between the metal fitting and flexible hose material. If you need the hose to bend immediately near the metal fitting it is important to keep the hose straight for at least twice the outside diameter or O.D. of the hose being used. If the hose OD is say half an inch, the hose must remain straight for at least 25mm beyond the metal fitting. Whether or not this is possible, then consider using a 90 or 45 degree elbow fitting instead of straight.

4. No Twisting Please

Hydraulic hoses are flexible but have mechanical properties that limit flexibility, because of their steel reinforcement. One way to reduce mechanical strain is by avoiding hose twists. The continuous writing on the side of the hose is called the layline. When you install a hose, look at the layline and if it appears to spiral, then the hose has twisted during installation. You need to loosen it and re-tighten again using two spanners. Use one to hold and the other to tighten to ensure it is not twisted.

By following these great tips when installing & routing hydraulic hoses you can extend the service life of your hoses, fittings and, components. Subscribe to our newsletter for some more helpful tips. For help and advice with any of your hydraulic issues please contact HydPower today at hydpower.com.au/contact-us. We look forward to hearing from you.

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