Hydraulic hoses are vital components in your equipment, carrying pressurized fluids that enable machines to perform their work. However, they’re subject to internal and external hazards that can result in damage and leaks.
Correct inspection, preventive maintenance, and routine repairs help reduce the risk of hydraulic hose failures. These tips can help you save time and money by avoiding emergency unplanned maintenance.
Inspect the Hose
Hydraulic hoses are a critical component of the hydraulic system on most machines. They allow them to operate at high speeds and pressures, are vital for the safety of employees and provide a means to transport and distribute hydraulic fluid throughout the machine.
When a hose fails, it halts the equipment, puts workers in danger, and can create a hazardous environment with environmental implications. It is essential to recognize impending hose failures, inspect them regularly and repair them as soon as possible.
Look for signs of damage to the hose, such as cuts, exposed reinforcement, abrasion or a soft, degraded, blistered or loose cover. Stiffness or hardness due to heat, sunlight and chemicals is another sign that it’s time for hydraulic mobile hose repair Charlotte NC or a replacement. If the hose is damp around the crimp fittings, this is a good indication of a leak. A leaking hose can quickly cause catastrophic assembly failure. Always use the right hoses, couplings and crimping equipment to ensure a safe, leak-free assembly.
Inspect the Fittings
As you might imagine, tremendous pressure is exerted on hydraulic hoses when they come into contact with solid points, such as the equipment’s pumps, valves or rigid pipes. Wetness or leaks at these points strongly indicate that the tube material is not durable enough for the application, and a repair will be necessary.
In addition, the hose can also become damaged through natural wear and tear. Abrasion, vibration, improper routing and stress to the hose fitting connection all cause damage over time. Visual inspections are essential to preventing this damage and determining the best path for repair. For safety purposes, shut off the power, lower the equipment and release pressure before inspecting your hoses. Run your hand over the hose to feel for air movement and look for signs of wetness or leaks. The data you record from these inspections will help you track each hose’s lifecycle and anticipate when it should be replaced.
Repair the Hose
Hydraulic hoses are essential to the operation of heavy machinery and can quickly deteriorate. This can lead to costly machine downtime and physical injury.
Once you’ve inspected the hose for any damage, it’s important to get it repaired as soon as possible. This will prevent fluid loss and ensure the equipment operates as it should.
Ensuring the replacement hose is the right type for the equipment is vital. A hose different from the same type can cause pressure issues, leading to a shorter lifespan than expected. Consulting a professional hose repair technician for the best results is a good idea.
A mobile hydraulic hose repair unit can help you reduce downtime and save money. This is especially helpful for businesses in remote locations that need more rest. This enables you to keep your business running and minimize customer impact.
Repair the Fittings
Hydraulic hoses are subject to intense, concentrated pressure when the equipment they attach to works. They must also withstand high temperatures, abrasion and other environmental conditions. The most intense stress is exerted on the hydraulic hoses connecting to solid points, such as ports on pumps, valves, rigid pipes and hydraulic cylinders.
It’s a common occurrence for the hose-to-fitting interface to develop leaks. The improperly fitted hose causes this, the fitting being worn out over time and other factors.
If a hose-to-fitting connection is not tightened correctly, it will not prevent outside contaminants from accessing the hydraulic fluid and damaging the system. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for torque specifications and turns-past-hand-tight assembly procedures is important.
