Hydraulic hoses offer countless benefits to businesses. If you’re using hydraulic hoses to help you run your business, be aware that, while they’re effective, there are possibilities for things to go wrong. Hydraulic hose failure is most commonly caused by abrasion, poor routing, high temperatures, tube erosion, bent hoses near fittings, fluid incompatibility, and improper assembly. Hose failure causes the shutdown of machines and entire systems, resulting in downtime, expensive repairs, and other financial losses.
Reasons Why Hydraulic Hoses Burst
Damaged hydraulic hoses are the main cause of accidental injection, which causes severe injuries to workers. And, as you can imagine, hydraulic hoses that fail while the machine is in operation could lead to catastrophic results if a load were to fall at an inopportune time. Some of the primary reasons why hydraulic hoses fail include:
Tube Erosion
Tube erosion is characterised by a breakdown of the inner surface of the hydraulic hose and is usually caused by either persistent high-velocity fluid flowing through the tube, or fluid that is contaminated by small particles. The fluid that is contaminated with small particles is another source of erosion – acting like sandpaper moving past the inner surface of the tube, breaking it down and wearing it away. Eventually, this will lead to weak points and eventual failure. This is another reason to change hydraulic fluid filters regularly and keep an eye on contamination levels at all times.
Incompatible Fluid
Incompatible fluids will cause the inner tube of the hose to deteriorate, swell, and delaminate. This is particularly dangerous since it’s not always apparent that this is happening from outward observation. Meaning hoses can fail suddenly and without warning. It is wise not to use hydraulic fluid without checking the compatibility with the hoses. You must ensure the fluid is not only compatible with the inner tube, but also with the other cover, fittings, and the o-rings.
Dry Air
Dry air is a huge cause of multiple tiny cracks that can wreak havoc on the effectiveness of the hose’s flow. This can be difficult to pick out at first because oftentimes the hose will remain flexible long after the damages have started. It is wise to keep an eye out for external leaks and make sure a new hose is rated for a dry climate or air.
Minimum Bend Radius
Another common area of hydraulic hose failure occurs at the fitting where the hose and crimp seal meet. This is usually caused by the hose being bent too close to the actual fitting due to poor routing or the weight of the hose itself.
Improper insertion depth, improper assembly, and Abrasion are some of the other common reasons for hydraulic hoses to burst.
At Kings Mobile Diesel Repair, we have experienced technicians available to perform preventative maintenance on your hydraulic systems. We will troubleshoot your hydraulic systems and replace your hydraulic hoses as necessary. Our reliable staff has the experience and know-how to keep your systems running at optimum efficiency with maximum reliability and minimum downtime.
