Hydraulic hoses can be invaluable during a large project, and as such, it is important to take a preventative approach when dealing with the possibility of hose failure. Though hoses are generally reliable, there are a number of things you can do that can keep a hose from failing. For some of the most important ones, keep reading below.
Protecting Against Wear and Tear
One of the most basic things you can do to insure that a hydraulic hose is properly sustained is to protect against everyday wear and tear. This may seem obvious, given how much stress a hose can be put under in the average construction site. And yet, there is often little thought given to protecting hoses at the start of a project. To combat this at the source, make sure you or your team uses a sleeve that can shield the hose from things like debris and ultraviolet light (which can cause irreparable cracks to form).
Matching Hoses and Fittings
Hydraulic hoses and fittings don't always match up perfectly. In fact, those that don't match can lead to system failure sooner rather than later. To prevent this from happening, check that each hose and fitting has either been manufactured by the same company or that in cases where there is a difference of manufacturer, they have been tested and matched appropriately. Mixing and matching in these cases is not only lazy, but can pose legitimate dangers in a work site.
Preparing for Pressure Surges
Pressure surges are virtually a given in every project, and they're not necessarily a bad thing. That said, surges do need to be monitored closely to ensure that they don't exceed the system's maximum operating pressure. Hoses that experience regular pressure surges exceeding these limits will more often than not have a much shorter life span than hoses that are carefully overseen (or reinforced to handle greater amounts of pressure).
Checking for Chemical Resistance
Another thing that is often overlooked when using hydraulic hoses is how prepared the fittings, inner tubes, and other parts of the hose are to withstand specific chemicals. To prevent gradual corrosion (or worse yet, sudden disaster), double check manufacturer specifications to ensure that the various chemicals you plan to pump through the hoses won't have any adverse effects on the hose itself. Initially this may be time consuming but can save a lot of time and money in the long run. For more information, contact a company like Williams Oil Filter Service Co.
