When do hydraulic hoses need replacing?

[fred.hayfarm]

I have a New Holland TC29d compact tractor sold new by a dealer in 1999. I have had it for 6 years. It has a total going on towards 500 hours showing, 100 of which are mine. I keep it under a tent, but I have no idea if it was sheltered previously. I have no other experience than this with farm equipment or hydraulics. I don't know if the hoses have ever been replaced -- should they have been? The owner's manual has no guidance. The hydraulic hoses seem OK, showing no cracks or leaks. But I am wondering if there is a life limit based on hours or age or what? I'm pretty certain I would not want to blow one out. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Replace them when they leak, blow or start cracking apart (rubber hoses), blowing a hose isn't the end of the world.

 

[Looking4new]

What Birdhunter1 said.

 

[LindenBruce]

Ditto. I have seen hoses nearly 20 years old still going strong. B.

 

[Gary Fowler]

What Birdhunter1 said.

Same here, why replace a hose that isn't leaking. If it blows at most you will loose a gallon of oil if the cylinder is fully extended. New hoses don't insure one wont blow either.

 

[Looking4new]

It it aint broke, don't fix it.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Not to be a pita and disagree with all you fine folk, but I blew a 'swing cylinder' hose on a tlb backhoe one day. Couldn't lift the stabilizers, nor get the bucket out of the trench I was digging. Also couldn't lift the fel. Also the very hot spray of leaking fluid hit me in the leg, which while it didn't hurt me, (it could have easily) was very uncomfortable.

I had to change the hose right there, in the mud in fluid soaked pants.

Now I like to check to see if any are cracked or weepy or chafed and then replace them to prevent future stuff like this.

 

[ovrszd]

Now I like to check to see if any are cracked or weepy or chafed and then replace them to prevent future stuff like this.

Sounds like he already did that, and they weren't.

 

[RjCorazza]

I agree with replacing hoses that are leaking, damaged, or show any cracking / weathering. My previous tractor was 14 years old and had 1300 hours on the original hoses, and they still appeared fine when I traded it in. I do not claim to really know, but I suspect exposure to the elements when stored outside is a major contributor to hose deterioration / failure. I have always been able to store my equipment in a garage or shed.

 

[crazyal]

I replace them when I can see the steel braiding is starting to rust or is damaged after the rubber jacket has cracked. Splitting a hose and leaking hydraulic oil all over the place is not fun. I have a cherry tree with a 3' diameter spot on it where it was covered when a hose split on my dozer. On my backhoe I had the main hose that connects the hydraulic pump to the main steel supply line. When it let go it covered the engine with oil and soaked the ground. It really depends on you. If you don't mind the mess wait until they burst. Of course they only burst when you are using your tractor and stopping your project so you can remove a busted hose and pay top dollar and waste time to have a local shop make it up (vs a discount on-line seller) make up a new one that could have been spent finishing your project sucks.

 

[silvertramp]

I replace mine when they blow.

 

[kennyd]

Not to be a pita and disagree with all you fine folk, but I blew a 'swing cylinder' hose on a tlb backhoe one day. Couldn't lift the stabilizers, nor get the bucket out of the trench I was digging. Also couldn't lift the fel. Also the very hot spray of leaking fluid hit me in the leg, which while it didn't hurt me, (it could have easily) was very uncomfortable.

I had to change the hose right there, in the mud in fluid soaked pants.

Now I like to check to see if any are cracked or weepy or chafed and then replace them to prevent future stuff like this.

A brand new hose can fail just as easily the first time it's pressurized, all it takes is a distracted crimper operator or defective hose.
Your never guaranteed a clean and comfy place to repair your equipment

 

[rswyan]

And with crazyal ... once the braiding on a hose with a damaged outer casing starts to rust it's time to replace.

As for a hose blowing being no big deal, I guess that depends on which hose it is and what you are doing when it happens.

Having one go when you're curling an empty loader back might be a little different than say having one go when you've got the forks on and are pulling a 2000 lb pallet off a truck, with it 4' in the air.

 

[nybirdman]

I purchase spares for my grapple/snow-plow from Surplus Center.MUCH cheaper than the local auto store.Tractor Supply also has them reasonable.

 

[fred.hayfarm]

Thanks for the replies. I can relax a little.

 

[UniversalHosman]

Fred,

For what it is worth, most of our hose assembly customers come for hoses for three reasons:

1) They've blown a hose and need replacement. Bluntly put, we don't see too many from this group because these guys need to get stuff done and are willing to pay more to get up and running TODAY.

2) Guys who are rebuilding or restoring tractors. Seems like a good time to replace all the hoses to them and who am I to argue? Actually if someone is trying to restore an older tractor it does make sense to replace the hoses as old ones would just make project look ratty.

3) Replacing hoses that show signs if imminent failure.

To me the third reason seems the most practical. As others have mentioned, a new hose can blow too. However, I do think it it would be wise to consider replacing all the hoses on the same unit at the same time. I've seen plenty of times when one hose is changed only to see another one fail. Even if one of the new hoses blows due to assembly error, you would still have a serviceable hose to use while replacing the defective one.

Andy

 

[LD1]

Pretty much echo what others said. If the outer jacket is cracked or worn through and the steel braids start to show rusting....time for a replace.

I like replacing before they blow, So I can order my hoses through one of the many cheaper places online vs local and pricey.

Last hose I actually blew was for dipper control on my backhoe. The main hose that goes from the valve, thru the swing posts, and hooks to the steel line running up inside the boom. This rubber section flexes alot since it runs through the swing post.

It didnt actually "blow" but was a pretty good leak every time I had to crowd the dipper. Was needing the hose pretty quick and no time to wait.

NAPA (only place that had the hose ends in stock) charged me ~$130. This is a 3/4" hose with -14 Female JIC swivel ends and ~54" long.

Online would have been $10 per fitting, bout $3 per foot of hose. So ~$35 + $10 crimp fee + Shipping. I could have likely had 3 of them for the price I paid for a single hose.