Help

Selecting The Right Hose For Your Application

Objectives

  • List the dangers of pressurized hoses in poor condition.
  • Examine the characteristics of typical hydraulic hoses.
    • Pressure rating
    • Material
    • Diameter
    • Length
  • Explain installation specifications, and why they matter.
    • Minimum Radius
    • Brackets/support
    • Cleanliness

A Word About Safety

It really shouldn't need to be said that a hose burst is always a catastrophic incident. In a best case scenario, a hose or connection failure causes environmental contamination concerns. In a worse scenario, people may be seriously injured or even killed. Hydraulic fluid spraying from a hose burst may also catch on fire if it contacts hot surfaces nearby.

Never use hoses or connectors, regardless of their age, if you have doubts about their condition. Cracked, blistered or worn hoses should never be put into service. It's not worth the chance you're taking with your own life, and the lives of others around the equipment.

We're showing you this picture of a failed hose because you don't want to see the pictures of injuries that humans have sustained from poorly-maintained hydraulic systems. Trust us on this one.
What is "Hose Whip?"

Hose whip is the name for what happens if a hose or fitting breaks, and the hose then flails freely. Hose whip can easily dismember or kill.

Hydraulic hoses are made up of layers of wire braid and include steel fittings on the end of a hose assembly. Imagine getting hit by a steel cable moving at high speed, and you'll have an idea of the damage a hydraulic hose can do if it breaks away. In the case of a compressed fluid, the distance travelled and speed acceleration become an even greater issue.

The good news is that accidents are not inevitable! Correctly designed and maintained hydraulic systems are very safe to work around.

Selecting The Right Hose for Your Application

Whether you are replacing an existing hose, or building a new system, you'll need to select a hose of the correct pressure rating, material, diameter, and length.

This is just a preview!

Become a member to get immediate access to the rest of this lesson, and all the other great content on LunchBox Sessions.

Join Now

Already a member? Log In
Not ready to join? Back to the menu.

We hope you enjoyed Selecting The Right Hose For Your Application

Loading
Vacuum Pressure
Drain Pressure
Low Pressure
Medium Pressure
High Pressure
Ground/Common
Lowest Voltage
Medium Voltage
Highest Voltage
Magnetic Field
Check Your Console