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Why Do Hydraulic Hoses Fail?

Aug 09, 2021

Heavy-duty motorized equipment is built to be tough. But even the toughest materials can lose their strength with prolonged use. So with all the wear and tear your equipment goes through, how can you prevent your hydraulic hoses from failing? First, you must understand what’s causing the issue. 


Seven Reasons Why Hydraulic Hoses Fail


Abrasion

The number one cause of hydraulic hose failure is abrasion. Because these hoses expand and retract during use, they’re constantly moving and are therefore more prone to rubbing. The more the hose rubs, the weaker the materials become. Leaks occur when the outer hose cover is entirely worn away by abrasion, exposing the steel wire reinforcements inside. Fortunately, it’s relatively simple to prevent abrasion on your hydraulic hose. Many manufacturers add plasticizers to the hose cover textile to make it hardier. You can also easily cover any problem areas on your hose with a nylon sleeve or plastic guard.


Routing Issues

Poor routing can expose parts of your hose to increased abrasion. When laying down your hydraulic hose, try to avoid routing it through high-friction or high-temperature areas and pivot points. Be aware of the hose’s minimum bend radius, as excessive bending can cause future issues and eventual hose failure. If you think it will be moving a lot, try using a swivel at the end of it.


Improper Fittings

The fitting, where the hose meets the crimp seal, can also be a frequent source of failure. If the hose bends too closely to the fitting, whether due to the weight of the hose or poorly planned routing, it won’t work correctly. You can fix this with a bend restrictor, a simple plastic product that helps to support the hose around the fitting.


Heat Exposure

High temperatures are not a hydraulic hose’s friend, and when they’re exposed to high heat, they can start to stiffen and lose flexibility. Heat aging, or prolonged exposure to high temps, can cause hoses to splinter from the inside out. If you bend a hose and hear a crack, and it doesn’t bounce back to its usual shape, your hose is experiencing heat aging. Route carefully (see above), and consider buying a heat sleeve for your hose to prevent this.


Installation

Good hose maintenance starts at installation. When they’re installed, the hoses must be cut to size, then thoroughly flushed to clean out any debris that may be left inside. Then the fittings should be crimped, and finally, the hose should be clamped. If you don’t install it correctly, the hose won’t work as it should.


Fluid Compatibility

Not all fluid is compatible with all hoses. Even a high-quality hydraulic hose can start to erode if it’s used with the wrong types of fluid - the fluid can disintegrate the insides of the hose, which slowly start to swell. If a leak occurs, you may have some serious particulate contamination in your hydraulic system.


Erosion

It’s not just incompatible fluid that can damage your hoses. High-velocity fluids rushing through your hose can also start to wear away at its insides. It’s important to choose a hose that is suited to the expected velocity of the fluid inside.


It’s essential to prevent hydraulic leaks, but if you’re past the point of prevention, there’s help for you. At Action Supply, we are pleased to offer in-house hose repair services to keep your equipment working as hard as you do!

How to Extend the Life-Expectancy of Your Hydraulic Hoses in The Texas Gulf Coast Area

07 May, 2024
Learn how to maximize hydraulic hose lifespan in the Texas Gulf Coast area. Factors like extreme temperatures, contamination, and fitting compatibility affect longevity. Follow manufacturer guidelines and spot signs of wear for timely replacements. Action Supply offers expert advice and quality parts for optimal performance.

Protecting Your Industrial Hose Assemblies From Flooding

22 Feb, 2024
Spring is rapidly approaching in Houston, Texas. While it brings warmer temperatures, it is also a time for heavy rains and severe weather in this area. Here are practical steps to safeguard your hose assemblies from flooding before the spring storms come into play. Determine Which Areas on Your Sites Are Vulnerable to Flooding If you are working at a new site, you can utilize tools like community records and FEMA’s Flood Map to assess the area’s flood risk. Also, note any low-lying areas on the site where water tends to collect during rain. Also, note which areas are slowest to drain or will require additional equipment to drain in the event of a flood. Elevate Equipment and Parts Inventory Store hose assemblies and related equipment in elevated locations to minimize water exposure. Before the spring storms start, make sure your equipment is positioned out of flash floods and the average flood levels for the area. Utilize elevated platforms, racks, or shelves to keep hoses and fittings above potential flood levels. Designate storage areas away from flood-prone zones Check to ensure all equipment is above areas that collect water, especially any new equipment or assemblies. Keep hoses and pipelines that can not be waterproofed above ground level. Install hangers, clamps, or supports to secure hoses along walls, ceilings, or elevated structures. Make sure they are secured against heavy wind gusts over 35 mph to avoid kinking, scraping, and other wear on suspended parts during heavy weather fronts and other storms. Waterproof Storage Containers Water and humidity can shorten the life of your spare parts and contaminate the hoses with mold, silt, and other materials. Utilize waterproof storage containers or cabinets to protect your inventory. Ensure containers are securely sealed to withstand heavy rainfall and potential flooding.  Invest in Flood Barriers When necessary, install flood barriers, berms, or containment walls to divert water away from critical areas of your sites. You can also store sandbags, concrete blocks, or water-inflated flood barriers to quickly create barriers against rising water levels. Regularly inspect and maintain flood barriers and related equipment to ensure they are ready for severe weather events. Make Sure Drainage Systems are Clear Clear debris, sediment, and vegetation from drains, gutters, and culverts to prevent blockages and facilitate unobstructed water flow. If any drainage areas seem sluggish, prioritize inspections and repairs in those areas. Update Your Emergency Response Planning Develop or update your comprehensive emergency response plan so the entire staff and team know what to do and who to turn to during extreme weather events. Define roles and responsibilities for personnel during a flooding event, including electrical safety, shutdown, and evacuation procedures. Establish communication channels and make sure all contact information is up-to-date. Delays due to outdated numbers can be costly. Conduct regular training exercises and drills to ensure employees are prepared to respond effectively during flooding incidents. Make sure safety and first aid equipment is inspected and ready for use. Action Supply Has Helped Industrial Sites Stay Equipped since 1981 Don’t let a flood get in the way of your site’s processes. Our experts have decades of local experience on the best ways to protect your inventory from flooding incidents, and our inventory management service ensures you have the parts you need when you need them. Contact us today!

Detecting and Fixing Hydraulic Hose Leaks

31 Jan, 2024
Hydraulic hose leaks can lead to downtime, costly repairs, and safety hazards. Here is how your team can effectively detect and fix hydraulic hose leaks before they become a large issue. Detecting Hydraulic Hose Leaks Detecting a leak early is critical to reducing the overall costs of cleanup, repairs, downtime, and safety hazards. Here are a few ways to actively monitor your systems for the first signs of a leak and ways to pinpoint its location. Auditory Inspection Sometimes, you can detect leaks by listening for unusual sounds. These include: Hissing or whistling sounds near the hoses that indicate something escaping from a small opening. Ticking, rumbles, or high-pitched whining from the machines as air enters or fluid levels fall. If needed, you can use equipment that amplifies sound to help make detection easier. Visual Inspection Look for oil spots, puddles, or damp areas near the hoses, indicating potential leaks. Check for cracked or bulging hoses, as these are common signs of deterioration. Check fittings and joints for signs of corrosion Gently place a piece of paper or cardboard near the hoses while the system is running. If hydraulic fluid drips onto the paper, it will leave a visible stain Use a specialized fluid dye for hydraulic systems. When it passes through the hose, it will escape and make the leak points more visible. Check with our experts to make sure you use a dye compatible with your system. Pressure and Performance Testing If you notice decreased or erratic performance in the system, the most common and repairable source of this issue could be a leak. Live detection and monitoring equipment can help you catch these issues in real-time. If a leak is suspected but not visible, consider pressure testing the hydraulic system to identify the problem area. Fixing Hydraulic Hose Leaks Once you've detected a hydraulic hose leak, prompt action is essential. Here's how to fix the issue. Isolate the System Shut down the equipment or machinery and turn off the power source to prevent accidentally turning it on during repairs. Isolate the affected area and reduce the excess fluid pressure to prevent spills, puddles, and other hazards. Replace or Repair If you choose to patch a small leak with specialized epoxies or stop leak fluids, make sure to treat it as a short-term solution, as the integrity of the hose is already compromised. This should only be done to find a better downtime or to allow time for a replacement part to come in. Larger leaks need to be fully repaired to be fully safe. Replacements and repairs will depend on the location of the leak and the hydraulic system. Typically, this will involve removing the line, installing a matching line, and making sure all seals and fittings are secure.  Use high-quality replacement hoses and fittings to ensure longevity. Always follow manufacturer recommendations for hose replacement and repair. Use the correct tools and techniques to ensure a secure and leak-free connection. Contact the manufacturer or your inventory supply experts for questions, troubleshooting, and best practices. Test the Repairs After fixing the hydraulic hose, conduct a thorough test to ensure the leak is resolved. Perform regular short-term checks to ensure the repairs are successful, then regular maintenance to continue catching future issues early. Action Supply Experts Offer Inventory Management and On-Site Hose Assembly Reduce downtime and costly errors while fixing hydraulic hose leaks with our expert services. We are driven to meet and exceed industry standards with superior equipment that you can trust to perform the way you need it to every time.
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