Most people think that hydraulic hoses hydraulic fittings are maintenance-free. They are often installed and forgotten until they need to be replaced, hopefully not in the event of a catastrophic failure. Contrary to popular belief, hydraulic hoses do not enjoy unlimited service life. As with any component made of metal and rubber, you will undoubtedly expect that the service life of hydraulic hoses will fail. When and how to remove the hose is up to you, whether it is due to a malfunction or a planned replacement. Needless to say, the hydraulic hose must be installed in a way that prevents any physical strain, such as kinking or twisting.
The hose should be laid as naturally as possible, and there should be no abnormal stress on the connection or reinforcement. If installation errors cause failures long before repairs are required, hose maintenance is of little significance. The correct hose length prevents the excess length from sagging or friction causing wear. You must eliminate the possibility of unexpected causes of hose failure, most of which are caused by physical damage or wear of the hose sleeve. Using clamps to rigidly hold the hose in place usually prevents the hose from rubbing against anything, but sometimes the machine needs to bend as part of the machine's function. Any hose with mobility potential must be protected by a hose wrap, which can be a flat plastic coil or a wear-resistant sleeve. The hose sleeve provides the second benefit of chemical protection.
Exposure to the dirty environment of industrial dust will increase the rate of decomposition of rubber. The sleeve clamps the entire length of the hose from joint to joint, providing a sacrificial surface to prevent the hose from wearing out due to wear and chemicals. Check the hose sleeves or wraps regularly, especially in areas that are known to rub against the machine or other hoses. If any damage does not protect the hose itself, replace the wraps. Although a well-maintained hose assembly can last for many years, even the most perfectly installed and maintained hose will eventually need to be replaced. Just like hydraulic pumps, filters and oil need to be replaced regularly, as do hoses.
One disadvantage of protective sleeves is that they hide the hose itself so that it cannot be easily inspected. Part of your preventive maintenance plan should include removing the hose packaging to inspect the cover of the hose underneath. If you find any obvious cracks, leaks or wear, replace the hose immediately. It helps to track the service life of your hydraulic hoses. If you know that a machine seems to have only been through three or four years before the hoses start to fail, perhaps because of the harsh conditions, then please consider replacing all the hoses in that window. For example, if three of the 12 hoses on your machine fail prematurely after four years, consider that other hoses are unlikely to last longer. Increase the frequency of inspections to ensure that other hoses are not close to failure. If your machine is critical to production, consider replacing the hose as soon as possible.
