Choosing Hydraulic Hose Fittings: A Brief Guide

March 22, 2022

When you’re making necessary repairs to your hydraulic hoses or finding the proper hoses for the industrial machinery you’re using, you’ll discover that no two hose fittings are the same. Within every hydraulic system, there’s a range of various fittings and adapters that offer different sealing methods and come in different forms. 


This begs the question, how do you find the right equipment for the job? This guide will help you better understand and identify the different types of fittings so that you can make the proper replacements. 


The Difference Between Reusable And Permanent Fittings

Arguably one of the simplest ways to identify the type of hydraulic hose fittings you need is to check whether they’re reusable or permanent. How? Permanent fittings are also commonly referred to as crimped fittings, which gives you a better sense of their appearance as well as how they need to be installed (by crimping or swaging). 


Meanwhile, reusable fittings can be easily installed onto the hydraulic hose via a wrench and a vise. These types of hydraulic hose fittings won’t be as prominent given that they’re more expensive and more difficult to install. However, you may find them on older machinery if you have them on site. 


What Is The Sealing Method? 

There is a wide variety of sealing methods, which can make your job harder when you’re trying to find out which hydraulic hose fittings you need. That being said, you can often boil it down to the most commonly installed fittings, which will make it easier to identify the piece you need. 


The most common fittings you’re going to come across include O-ring design fittings (aptly named for the O-ring seal that creates the seal), mated angle fittings (these feature male and female thread parts that are straight or parallel and join the two mating angles to create a seal), and tapered threads fittings (these can be determined by where the threads are, with threads on the outside indicating male and threads on the inside indicating female). 


You should also carefully research the fitting ends and port connections to make sure you have the right hydraulic hose fittings for your specific hose and machinery. 


Assess The Fitting Design And Thread Measurement

Where the thread of your hydraulic hose fittings is located and how large it is can go a long way in determining what type of fitting you need for a replacement. Take notes on these features, as this will make it easier to get support when you reach out for help in securing the right types of fittings for your needs. 


Find All The Fittings And Adapters You Need At Action Supply

The guide above can be an excellent way to get started on finding new hydraulic hose fittings for your equipment. However, even with a better understanding of how to assess fittings, you might need support identifying and sourcing the specific item you need for your hydraulic hoses. 


Action Supply is dedicated to providing you with the high-quality hydraulic hose fittings you need and the customer service you deserve to guide you along every step of the way.
Reach out to us now with any questions you have about your fittings and adapters so that we can assist you!


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.