How Often to Replace Hydraulic Lines?

[ishiboo]

I would wait until there is noticeable, bad wear or a break. This is how most equipment operators seem to work as well. Our local farm store sells VERY inexpensive, Made in USA with all USA components (hose and fittings) hoses so I have a few spares on hand, but the only time I've had to use one is when I injured a hose myself. The hoses on my Kubota loader I think are probably original.

However, I would NOT have a worn hose anywhere near my body. Hydraulic fluid leaks under pressure are no joke. At the same thing, if I was letting a kid or wife or someone similar operate it, I would want to make sure the hoses were all in excellent shape to help prevent mistakes.

 

[/pine]

Others probably do the same (I didn't read every post) but to me it makes sense to have a few spare hoses of varying lengths etc and a a good supply of fittings/adapters...
When a hose fails I usually have enough hoses and fitting/adapters to make the repair...sometimes using 2 or more hoses to make one (that works)...once I take the failed hose the shop for a new one it gets tossed...

If you don't have stash of hydraulic fittings or hoses...sometimes you can find "lots" on ebay where you may get bags/boxes full of usable fittings (including QD's) for what you would pay for one SAE swivel fitting at TSC etc...hoses are the same...search for lots...I once got an OEM set of all five loader hoses for $60....(used them to plumb my bucket grapple)...

 

[john_bud]

I'm a glutton for punishment. Replace when they fail.

Usually, that's when they start seeping. But had a Kubota FEL bucket hose pop loose from the end and squirt a bit. Also had a TLB loader hose that ran by the control split and burst under pressure while lifting a 3/4 yard bucket of wet clay. Sprayed me with a gallon of fluid and kept on squirting as the bucket dropped. Yuck.

By the way, my TLB has about 14 different hoses and the full set made by the very reasonable local shop (way cheaper than anywhere else) was close to $1000 back in 2005/6. I really don't have the pocket depth to change a hose that can last 30+ years after only a lustrum.



I'll let you broaden your vocabulary by looking up "lustrum"

 

[aginn]

I have slightly less than 200 hours on my Kubota and have had 2 failed hoses. One on the FEL and one on the grapple. Replace on failure. But have a spare for each line on hand. No more 2 hour round trips for a quick replacement for me. As other posters have stated, you can get lines that are better rated than what most tractors were originally equipped with.:2cents:

 

[7879fordman]

Replace when they fail .

Heck this old dump trailer has a 14' hose that I just replaced because it blew . It's been on there since 1972 its a old grain trailer . Here it is get'n used the next day with the new hose .




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[flusher]

Do any of y'all replace your hydraulic lines on a regular basis?
Do you just wait til they look bad?
Or do you wait until they fail?

I check my hydraulic hoses on the Mahindra 5525 regularly, especially the hoses closest to me near the driver's seat. These are the lines that run from the FEL control unit to the triple rear remotes. Don't want one of those to fail under pressure and possibly squirt high pressure fluid on my bare skin. That type of accident can lead to severe medical problems.

The other thing I do is keep the tractor parked under the carport out of direct sunlight especially during our hot months (Jun-Sep) when the sunlight is most intense and the temperatures are in the triple digits. So sense in stressing the rubber part of those hoses unnecessarily.

 

[grsthegreat]

I had a hose on a rented mini excavator blow last year on my at a jobsite....blew hyd fluid all over me. what a mess. The unit was only a few years old. Luckily it was a rental. made a call and they sent a guy out to the field to manufacture and replace one onsite. credited me time lost.

sometimes its nice to rent.

 

[hdmyers]

I had a hose on a rented mini excavator blow last year on my at a jobsite....blew hyd fluid all over me. what a mess. The unit was only a few years old. Luckily it was a rental. made a call and they sent a guy out to the field to manufacture and replace one onsite. credited me time lost.

sometimes its nice to rent.

Have had same issue with rental... we traded up from a small mini-ex to enclosed one...nice as it was a cold fall day and rainy My bud makes all my lines for me... which is nice for sure.. we wait until it fails...although major cracks (on forklift mast) will result in early repairs. cheers

 

[Tor Arne]

Since I own press to crimp hydraulic hoses, I use to wait until it breaks before I replace the hoses

 

[hdmyers]

Since I own press to crimp hydraulic hoses, I use to wait until it breaks before I replace the hoses



that's the way to do it man.>>> having the right tools is a nice thing. hydraulics can get pricey. cheers