When Is It Time to Change Your Hydraulic Hose?
Knowing how much life is left in your hydraulic hose can save you time, money, and troubles. However, knowing when to replace a hose will depend on many factors. The quality of the hose and fittings, filters, the environment surrounding your hydraulics system, and the way you are using them all have an impact on your hose’s lifespan.
Keep reading below to learn when it is time to change your hydraulic hoses.
Understand the lifespan of your hydraulics system’s components
Getting ahead of repairs or replacements of your hydraulic components will save you a lot of downtime, but this is only possible if you have a detailed knowledge of how your system works.
As a general rule, you should change your hoses and fittings every 1-2 years. However, this is only a guideline and might not even apply to your hydraulic system. That’s why keeping a logbook to record equipment replacements and failures can give you an accurate picture over time about the real lifespan of hydraulic components in your operation.
Carry on preventive replacements when needed
Keeping an eye on your hydraulic components and recognising the signs of wear and tear is one of the best ways to know how much life they have left.
This is especially important because 80% of hose failures are caused by external damage, such as pulling or abrasion, and can push your hose to a breaking point well before its scheduled replacement time.
Make sure you replace your hydraulic hose or fitting if you see any of the following warning signs:
- Crushed hoses
Poor routing can lead to hoses being pressured and crushed by other objects. This, in turn, can lead to pressure building up, cause leaks, and eventually make the hose burst.
- Exposed wire
Under normal circumstances, you shouldn’t be able to see the wire as it would be covered by the outer layer. However, if you see that significant abrasion has worn down the outer protective layer make sure to change your hose immediately.
- External hose damage
Most hoses can show a few nicks after some time of use. However, if you see extensive damage of the outer layer, you should consider replacing your hose immediately.
- Oil leaks
Oil leaks may be a sign that you need to replace your entire hose assembly. However, sometimes it’s just a matter of changing the fittings so ask for an expert opinion before deciding.