6 Best Practice Tips for Hydraulic Hose Routing

February 6, 2023

Improper hydraulic hose routing is dangerous and costly. When a hose breaks or tears from its fittings, it can lead to:

●     Shortened hose life

●     Lost productivity

●     Equipment failure

●     Personal injury

●     Steep costs to the machine and company owner

 

When routing your hydraulic hoses, it’s better to be “done right” than “close enough.” Here are our best tips to ensure your hydraulic hoses are routed right the first time.


Choose The Right Hydraulic Hoses and Fittings

Not all hydraulic hoses and fittings are the same. Make sure to choose the right hose, with special consideration to the pressure, distance, and even type of fluid it will transport.

 

Proper fittings will improve the hydraulic hose’s usable life. Make sure they are the right fit for the hose’s diameter. We also recommend buying hoses and fittings from the same manufacturer to ensure a proper fit.


Be Mindful of the Bend Radius of Each Hydraulic Hose

Make sure the hose adheres to the manufacturer’s minimum bend radius. A poor bend radius will cause crimping and extra strain on the crimp joint.

 

A proper adapter can help reach difficult areas without compromising the hydraulic hose’s minimum bend radius.

 


Consider the Hose Movement

When Routing a hose, consider how it will move in the system. You want to make sure it does not exceed its bend radius, put too much stress on the crimp joints, or contribute to too much wear and tear on the hose.

 

●     Make sure the hose stays on the same plane. Even a 5% twist can compromise the wire reinforcement and reduce the life of the hose by 70% or more.

●     Keep the routing clean and untangled to reduce rubbing and make future maintenance easier.

●     Use clamps to support the hose and limit extra movement. They can also keep the hose away from abrasive surfaces that contribute to wear and tear.


Make Sure the Hydraulic Hose Has the Right Amount of Slack

The hydraulic hose length will shorten under pressure. If the line is too taut, it may pull from its fittings. However, if the line is too slack, it can cause the hose to snag on other pieces of equipment or wear out from rubbing against other components.

 

For a good fit, the line should have a gentle bend to allow the hose to flex, contract, and expand safely during use.


Avoid Excessive Torsion

Torsion, the twisting of the line, can shorten the hose and its useable life. If the leylines on the hose are twisted, there is too much torsion in the line. We can recommend fittings and adapters to help reduce twisting in the lines if you run into issues.


Contact the Experts

When in doubt, the manufacturers can help you choose the right parts and help troubleshoot your hydraulic hose routing. Action Supply is staffed with experts and over 40 years of experience. Contact us today for your questions and supply needs!

October 22, 2025
In the world of industrial supply, especially when it comes to hydraulic hoses and fittings, what truly sets a provider apart isn’t just product stock. It’s relationships . At Action Supply, we’ve built our business over four decades on more than inventory: we’ve built it on reliability, responsiveness, and customers trusting us as their go-to partner. The Local Partner Advantage Faster turnaround : Local on-site hose assemblies, quick access to inventory, and the ability to respond when downtime is unacceptable. We work hard to complete your projects with higher quality and fast turn around times. Better communication : You’re dealing with a team that knows your region, your industry, and your challenges—not a generic call center. Inventory you can count on : When your partner manages stock on-site or nearby, you’re less likely to face costly delays. Action Supply offers inventory management services to keep critical parts ready when you need them. Service & Support That Make the Difference Here’s how we add value for our customers year-round: Custom Hose Assemblies On-Site : We don’t just stock hoses; we build them to spec, on-site, matching exact lengths, fittings, and ratings so there’s no guess-work or field fabrication headaches. Consultation & Technical Guidance : Hydraulic systems are complex. We help customers select the right hose, fitting, and coupling for factors like pressure, fluid compatibility, abrasion, and environment. Speed When It Counts : Downtime kills productivity. Having a local partner means faster pick-up, faster delivery, and in many cases, faster problem resolution because we’re already on-site or nearby. Proactive Inventory Planning : From planned maintenance to emergency response, we partner with customers to anticipate needs rather than just react. A true partnership means fewer surprises. A Long-Term View: Why Trust Matters Relationships are built on consistency over time. At Action Supply, our “we’ve worked hard for over 40 years” mindset means we place value on being there for our customers today…and five, ten, twenty years down the road. That long-term presence gives customers the confidence to count on us for standard supply, for emergency replacement, and for growth scale-up. When you know your supply partner will show up, send the right part, understand your system, and back it with service, you’re not just buying hoses or fittings. You’re buying peace of mind. How to Make the Most of Your Supply Partner Here are a few actions to ensure your local supply relationship delivers maximum value: Treat them as part of your team : Share your upcoming projects, shutdown schedules, and maintenance plans with your supply partner. Engage early : Instead of reaching out only when a hose fails, loop in your supply partner during planning or design phases. Keep open communication : Share what matters to you (lead time, budget constraints, delivery windows) and let them tailor service accordingly. Leverage their expertise : Ask questions about alternatives, better materials, and long-term cost savings.  In industrial operations, margins are tight, downtime is costly, and every component matters. At Action Supply, we believe relationships matter because when you win, we win. And when you’re up against the clock, facing tough specs, or dealing with complex hydraulic systems, you’ll appreciate having a partner who’s local, dedicated, and backed by decades of experience.
September 17, 2025
When uptime, safety, and fluid integrity matter, choosing the correct fitting is the difference between a reliable system and unexpected downtime. The right fitting ensures a leak-free seal, matches pressure and fluid compatibility, and simplifies serviceability in the field. Action Supply builds and manages custom hose assemblies daily and can help match fittings to your exact application. Material Selection: Match the Environment Material choice impacts corrosion resistance, strength, and cost. Stainless steel (316 where marine exposure or salt spray is present) offers excellent corrosion resistance and strength for structural or submerged fittings. Brass is economical and machinable, and performs well in many freshwater or general industrial applications, but can corrode faster in saline environments. Choose material based on fluid chemistry, temperature, and exposure to salt or corrosives. A Practical Checklist for Choosing Fittings Identify the media: hydraulic oil, freshwater, saltwater, chemical — materials and sealing change accordingly. Confirm pressure & temperature ratings: match fittings and hose to the system’s max working and burst pressures. Match thread type and size: NPT ≠ BSP — use thread gauges or manufacturer tables if unsure. Choose sealing method: metal-to-metal (37° JIC/AN), ORFS face-seal, or thread-seal (NPT + tape/compound). Account for serviceability: will techs need to disconnect often? Choose fittings that tolerate repeated assembly. Plan for corrosion: in marine or corrosive environments choose 316 stainless, bronze, or specially coated parts. Document and label: record part numbers, thread specs, and orientation to remove guesswork on replacements. Installation & Testing Tips Use the correct torque spec for the fitting type; overtightening can damage seals or distort threads. For ORFS, always replace O-rings during reassembly and inspect sealing surfaces for nicks. For pipe threads (NPT), use appropriate thread sealant or PTFE tape and apply properly (direction, number of wraps). Pressure-test new assemblies at the manufacturer-recommended proof pressure before returning equipment to service. When to Call the Experts at Action Supply If your job is complex (mixed standards on site, high-pressure hydraulic systems, or marine installations), bring the assembly to the shop or have Action Supply’s on-site team build and verify the assembly. We offer on-site hose assemblies, inventory management, and industry-grade fittings (including Eaton/Weatherhead hoses and couplings) so you get the right part and verified performance the first time. Call (281) 315-3841 or use our contact form to request on-site assembly or inventory support.
August 11, 2025
Avoid costly downtime this peak season. Learn 5 key warning signs your hydraulic hoses need replacing to keep your equipment safe and productive.