How to use hydraulic hoses correctly to get the best service life

Sometimes the hydraulic hose fails quickly, some times the hose is very durable, which does not indicate that the quality of the hose that fails quickly is poor, the service life of the hydraulic hose assembly depends to a large extent on the conditions of its use.

When selecting and using, the service life of the assembly can be extended by the following measures.

1、Installation of the hose assembly: The installation of the hydraulic hose assembly should conform to the relevant standards regarding the direction and arrangement of the hydraulic hose to ensure that the hose assembly is used correctly.

2、Working pressure: The hydraulic system pressure should not exceed the rated working pressure of the hose. Steep pressure rises or peaks above the rated working pressure are extremely destructive and must be taken into account when selecting hoses.

3, minimum burst pressure: burst pressure is limited to the purpose of destructive testing to determine the design safety factor.

4, temperature range: Do not use the hose under temperature conditions including internal and external temperatures that exceed the recommended limits. If the hydraulic fluid to be used contains emulsions or solutions, please consult the relevant technical data separately.
Whatever the temperature range of the hose, the maximum operating temperature recommended by the fluid manufacturer must not be exceeded.

5. Fluid compatibility: The hydraulic hose assembly inner ply, outer ply, reinforcement ply and hose coupling must be compatible with the fluid used. Proper hoses must be used because the chemical properties of phosphate based and petroleum based hydraulic fluids are very different and many hoses are suitable for one or more fluids, but not for all fluid types.

6, the minimum bending radius: the hose must not be bent to less than the recommended minimum bending radius, nor should the hose be subjected to tension or torque, which may make the reinforcement layer under excessive stress, greatly reducing the ability of the hose to withstand pressure.

7, hose size: hose size inside diameter must be able to handle the required flow rate, in a particular flow rate, if the inside diameter is too small, it will cause excessive fluid pressure and generate heat, resulting in damage to the inner rubber layer.

8. Hose routing arrangement: Hoses are to be restrained, protected or guided using clamps where necessary to minimise the risk of breakage due to excessive flexing, jiggling or contact with moving parts or corrosive materials. Determine the appropriate hose length and joint form to prevent wear and tear, avoid contact with sharp objects and twisting to achieve a leak-proof connection.

9、Hose length: Determining the correct hose length should take into account variations in length under pressure, during machine vibration and movement and when routing the hose assembly.

10、Hose application: Select the appropriate hose for the specific application. Special fluids or high temperature performance are examples of applications that require special consideration for the use of special hoses.

11, hose wear layer: according to the specific application to choose the appropriate hose. In the case of relatively strong vibration, the hose and other parts have contact with the need to use hose with wear-resistant layer, or wrap the protective layer to prevent wear.

Hose assemblies in use should be inspected regularly for leaks, kinks, blistering of the outer rubber layer, abrasions, wear or other damage. When a damaged or worn assembly is found, it must be replaced immediately.