When faced with overwhelming choices and timeline constraints, mistakes can be made when specifying and purchasing hydraulic hoses. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the more common considerations.
Don’t Buy On Upfront Price Alone
This one can cause future problems immediately upon purchase. Some buyers will only consider the price of the hydraulic hose when making a selection. The problem is that hydraulic hose pricing can vary dramatically, causing confusion. Those who select either the cheapest option or the middle of the road option may not fully understand what they are getting. A standard product will likely be the cheapest option, but what about the lifetime cost? A premium product could more than double the lifespan of the standard option. It’s not all about upfront price.
Abrasion Considerations
The most common cause of hydraulic hose failure is abrasion. Is your machine design causing abrasion? Look to add abrasion resistance to help the hydraulic hose last longer. There are many options, such as hose sleeving which features a multi-layered construction that contains and then dissipates the energy and media within the hose assembly. A heavy-duty polyethylene cover provides protection in rugged operating conditions. A spring guard also prolongs the life of the hose that is exposed to rugged conditions. They distribute bending radii to avoid kinks in the hose line which protects the hydraulic hose from abrasions and deep cuts.
Covers typically come in levels – good, better, and best – with a lot of variations within the levels. It may be possible to reduce costs by buying a standard hose and using a premium cover, but this combination will not match the lifespan of the premium hose.
Warranty Guarantees
Not considering the warranty is a big mistake on the buyer’s part. It is not uncommon the see hydraulic hose assemblies mixed and matched with several different manufacturer brands. As branded products are not designed to work with each other, this can cause leakage and lead to downtime, maintenance costs, and catastrophic failures. Manufacturer’s warranties may be available on the hose assembly but are typically only valid if the hose and end fittings in the assembly are from the same manufacturer.
Ultimately, selecting the correct hose can be a struggle, but knowing what you need to consider can help cut through the many different options. By selecting the correct hose from the start, you will be able to avoid maintenance and warranty issues and increase the number of productive hours of the equipment safely.
No matter what your industrial application is, Cross hose and fittings specialists can help you determine the right hydraulic hose solution for your operation.
