The hydraulic hose is playing an important role in resource conveyance in the industrial field, including the building industry, and mining industries. Without any doubt, hydraulic hose maintenance is also basically important, to ensure that the heavy-duty machinery can work as normal.
Here are some tips that help you protect your hydraulic hose properly, to make it work longer to expand its service life. Let’s dive into this guide to get some hacks.
What Cause Hydraulic Hose Damage
During the service life of a hydraulic hose, it is subjected to continuous movement and machine vibration. These are the factors that will do damage to the hydraulic hose outer cover, and the potential damage and hurt will permeate into the inner tube gradually as the goes by.
Thus, it is super important to protect hydraulic hoses away from these hazards, to expand their service life. Here are some common methods that will safeguard your hydraulic hose.
Hydraulic Hose Shielding
We can add a layer of physical barrier to the hydraulic hose, to make it protected well. You can use the hydraulic hose shield to wrap the whole hydraulic hose overall, to block out the situation where the hydraulic hose touches the ground directly.
I do believe that a strong hydraulic hose shield can protect the hose tube well, to lower the possibility of being damaged by hardly sharp objects, such as stone, metal edges and etc.
Here we have the protective hydraulic hose sleeve to wrap the hydraulic hose, made of premium silicone and glass fiber material, to decrease the hurt of collapse, abrasion and etc.
Spring Guards
Besides the hydraulic hose sleeve, you can try to use the spring guard, to wrap the hydraulic hose pipe. It is essential to protect the hydraulic hose away from corrosion.
And you can choose the right size of the spring guard based on the hydraulic hose diameter, and the outer spring guard must have a bigger diameter than the wrapped hydraulic hose.
Protective Sleeving
The protective sleeving is made of a textile material such as woven nylon or polyester, a cool thing to protect your hydraulic hose.
Protective wrap. This product is much like a protective sleeve but is designed to affix after assemblies are already installed. The abrasion-resistant fabric material comes flat and includes a Velcro-type closure to easily wrap around and fasten over the hose or bundle several hoses together.
Plastic spiral guards
Flat, spiral-shaped plastic guards wrap around a hose and, depending on the application, can be secured without removing an assembly from a machine. They’re made of materials such as heavy-duty polyethylene and have a flat profile with rounded edges to prevent damage to the hose. Plastic spiral guard offers a light and economical way to protect hoses from abrasion, cuts, impact and crushing loads, as well as UV attacks. Like sleeves and wraps, the plastic guard is relatively easy to install and it can bundle together several hose lines.
Fire sleeve
A number of companies offer heat and flame-resistant hose protection products. Several manufacturers term it “fire sleeve.” This is a tough, flexible insulating cover that slides over a hose and clamps to the fittings. It is typically made of woven fiberglass or materials like high-temperature silicone.
It protects hydraulic hoses and pneumatic tubing against extreme radiant heat, sparks, weld spatter, molten metal, and glass splash, as well as open flames. While exact ratings depend on the specific manufacturer and construction, they are generally approved for continuous exposure at temperatures of about 500° F, exposure for around 15 to 20 minutes at temperatures to 2000° F, and brief excursion as high as 3000° F.
Point-of-contact Sleeve
Rather than covering an entire assembly, sometimes only short lengths see contact with other surfaces and face abrasive wear. These slip-on protectors minimize harm to hydraulic and pneumatic hoses and fluid lines, as well as wire harnesses and battery cables. They’re made of inexpensive but durable materials like PVC and attach with cable ties or band clamps.
To protect hydraulic hoses and ensure their longevity and proper functioning, it is essential to implement several measures.
Here is a conclusion on how to effectively protect hydraulic hoses:
- Proper Installation: Ensure that hydraulic hoses are installed correctly, following the manufacturer’s guidelines and industry best practices. This includes avoiding sharp bends, excessive twisting, or unnecessary strain on the hoses during installation.
- Adequate Routing: Carefully plan the routing of hydraulic hoses to minimize exposure to potential hazards such as sharp edges, abrasive surfaces, excessive heat sources, or areas prone to impact. Properly secure the hoses to prevent them from rubbing against other components or machinery.
- Protective Covers: Utilize protective covers, such as abrasion-resistant sleeves or wraps, to shield hydraulic hoses from external factors that can cause wear and tear. These covers provide an additional layer of defense against abrasion, chemicals, UV radiation, and other environmental elements.
- Temperature Considerations: Ensure that hydraulic hoses are compatible with the temperature range of the hydraulic system. High temperatures can degrade the hose material, leading to reduced performance and potential failure. Consider using hoses specifically designed for high-temperature applications if required.
- Regular Inspections: Implement a routine inspection schedule to identify any signs of damage, wear, leaks, or deterioration. Check for bulges, cracks, fraying, or leakage around fittings. Promptly address any issues detected during inspections to prevent potential failures and minimize downtime.
- Maintenance Practices: Establish proper maintenance practices, including regular cleaning of hydraulic hoses to remove dirt, debris, or corrosive substances that may compromise their integrity. Apply suitable lubricants to fittings and connections as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Training and Education: Ensure that personnel involved in the operation, maintenance, and handling of hydraulic systems receive adequate training and education. They should be familiar with proper hose handling techniques, safe operating practices, and the importance of maintaining the integrity of hydraulic hoses.
By implementing these measures, you can effectively protect hydraulic hoses, extend their lifespan, and maintain the reliability and efficiency of hydraulic systems. Regular maintenance, inspections, and adherence to recommended guidelines are crucial to prevent potential failures and ensure the overall safety of hydraulic operations.
