Hydraulic hose assemblies rarely operate in controlled, protected environments. Rather, rough and demanding conditions are the norm. Safety is of utmost concern when it comes to hydraulic systems, including the selection process, and maintaining and replacing hoses. Although establishing and maintaining a safe work environment might seem like common sense, refreshing associates and employees on the basics will help lessen the risk of catastrophic outcomes. Maintenance routine, leaks, contamination, temperature and pressure ratings are all factors to consider when working with hydraulic equipment.
How Do You Maintain a Hydraulic Hose?
Checking hoses on a monthly basis is an easy way to catch issues with your hydraulic hose assemblies that may cause larger issues in the future. Creating and strictly following a maintenance plan takes time and will take some getting used to. If you stick with it, frequently checking hoses will prevent your equipment from lengthy and expensive downtime. Some hydraulic maintenance routines are as follows:
Shielding
Perhaps the best way to keep hose safe is to create a physical barrier against harm. Something as simple as a sheet-metal guard can protect vulnerable sections against impacts, sparks, weld spatter and intense heat near furnaces and foundry equipment.
Spring Guards
Steel-spring hose guards support hydraulic hoses and help prevent damage. They’re commonly used on construction equipment but are suitable for any application that needs protection against abrasion, cuts, deep gouges, impact, and accidental compression.
Protective Sleeving
Protective sleeves are textile tubes that slide over a hose. They’re made of materials like woven nylon or polyester and provide excellent resistance to external abrasion and UV radiation. The construction often offers a smooth interior wall that lets the hose move freely inside the sleeve and prevents internal abrasion.
Protective Wrap
This product is much like a protective sleeve but is designed to affix after assemblies are already installed. The abrasion-resistant fabric material comes flat and includes a Velcro-type closure to easily wrap around and fasten over the hose or bundle several hoses together.
Plastic Spiral Guards
Flat, spiral-shaped plastic guards wrap around a hose and, depending on the application, can be secured without removing an assembly from a machine.
Fire Sleeve
This is a tough, flexible insulating cover that slides over a hose and clamps to the fittings. It is typically made of woven fiberglass or materials like high-temperature silicone.
Correct Hose Length
Installing hoses that are the correct length is massively important to avoid hydraulic mishaps.
