DIY hydraulic hoses?

[STx]

I HATE hydraulic line failures. They’re messy, expensive and time consuming, as you all know. My biggest complaint is that it costs a small fortune to get a hose made locally and it takes at least an hour and a half to get one made so, I’m looking at these Weatherhead T-420 crimpers with dies for Eaton fittings. They’re not cheap but, I figure 10 hoses or so and it should pay for itself, I spent $300 on 2 hoses for skid steer attachments on Friday. Then I came home an promptly broke one of the fittings so I had to go back and spend another $60 to get another one put on. Took 1/2 the day.

Has anyone else gotten one of these and made their own hoses? Is there some reason I shouldn’t make my own hoses?

 

[4570Man]

Are there no better options to make them. I have access to a crimper but there’s not a substantial savings in doing it.

 

[STx]

Are there no better options to make them. I have access to a crimper but there’s not a substantial savings in doing it.

My other option is a 5 hour round trip to San Antonio, where I'd save probably 25% over doing them locally. It's not enough savings to justify burning 2 more hours. Honestly, if it cost the exact same amount and just saved me the time, I consider that reason enough. The wasted time is really more valuable to me than the money, which is why I pay the higher local prices instead of driving and extra 2 hours.

 

[hosspuller]

Inventory... You must match the fittings to your crimper dies and hose. Perhaps double the crimper cost in fittings unless your machine fittings are mostly the same.

 

[/pine]

IMO...A better solution is to spend a few bucks on an a wide assortment of different type fittings (especially FM swivel) where an interim repair can be made using inexpensive generic hoses (kept on hand for temporary repairs)...while a custom replacement hose can be ordered online at very reasonable rates even with shipping etc...

I recommend 'Discount Hydraulic Hose'

DiscountHydraulicHose.com

Discount Hydraulic Hose covers all your hydraulics needs. Custom Hose Assemblies, Fittings, Adapters, & much more with quality services and support.

www.discounthydraulichose.com

 

[dlctcg]

This is an issue based on location & supply & demand.... I'm lucky enough that I can drive 20 mins (either north or south of me) & be at a hydraulic hose dealer. I can usually have a hose made within 15 mins... Price is not cheap but as everyone knows time is money...

So if you can afford & justify the upfront cost for the equipment & the materials for repairs you need (& time savings) their is no reason not to make your own..... I personally couldn't for my needs because of my availability.... but I could see why others could... Time is money....

 

[WranglerX]

I could see it if you were running maintance shop for a bunch of machines (commercial business) but for one or two tractors/back hoes.... Don think it would a savings.... MY local O'Riley auto parts and NAPA stores make hoses, I guess you could always make hoses for your neighbors to defray costs but then the amount of inventory would be daunting...

Dale

 

[4570Man]

You’d have to have a fortune in fittings to save a trip to town. I was looking at the affordable crimper options online and there’s bottle jack powered ones for under $200. I’m not sure how many dies you’d need to be any use.

 

[STx]

I could see it if you were running maintance shop for a bunch of machines (commercial business) but for one or two tractors/back hoes.... Don think it would a savings.... MY local O'Riley auto parts and NAPA stores make hoses, I guess you could always make hoses for your neighbors to defray costs but then the amount of inventory would be daunting...

Dale

2 excavators, a skid steer with at least 10 hydraulically powered attachments, the tractor and FEL, a couple of RTVs with a few hoses and a Kubota ZTR with a few lines. I've got a few hydraulic lines. Seems like I'm constantly busting one on a skid steer attachment.

 

[Cord440]

I had 3 hoses made locally $$$$$, and decided to order premade US hoses and the elbows, adapters, and plugs for about 60% off. I found the company online in NE. One hose- Local: $120, Online: $47. I'm rehosing the Bobcat 331 at the moment.

 

[ning]

Local shop charged me about $7 per end fitting plus $4/ft for ½" and made it while I watched. End product looks much nicer than the marginally cheaper TSC item.

 

[randyjs]

Field Attachable Hydraulic Hose Fitting - 30 Series Fittings​

Where To Buy
Parker's 30 series fittings are a two-piece field attachable style fitting which enables you to quickly and easily make hose assemblies right on the job site without special tools.

 

[Cord440]

Local shop charged me about $7 per end fitting plus $4/ft for ½" and made it while I watched. End product looks much nicer than the marginally cheaper TSC item.

That's much better than at my local shops, I'm in a rural where the choices are a saw shop and a deep sea ship outfitter. I get mine from Surp. Cent. in 2-3 days. I am open to better suppliers.

 

[mikester]

Outfit a truck and start your own mobile hydraulic hose service. Sell hose cheap, charge for the on site service call.

 

[Diggin It]

I blew the Power Beyond hose to my BH. Into the little town close by where they make hoses at two shops. Neither had the banjo style fitting for the one end. Second shop opted to cut the old hose and make a splice. Cost was $8/foot of hose and $11 per fitting. Having a factory one shipped would have been around $40 and about a week.

Having a machine on hand to repair it would have been nice, but it would have to be at a much lower cost.

 

[/pine]

You’d have to have a fortune in fittings to save a trip to town. I was looking at the affordable crimper options online and there’s bottle jack powered ones for under $200. I’m not sure how many dies you’d need to be any use.

The key is to buy adapter fittings (primarily f/m swivel) that convert whatever is on you machines to NPT...(the swivel fittings make connections a breeze)...Then along with the fittings buy an assortment (length and size) of hose assemblies....

...for instance a 3/8" x 48" hose assembly is $7.00 at S_C...a 1/2" x 48" is $9.00 a 6' is $11.00....so it is not that expensive to keep some fittings and generic (NPT) hoses on hand that can be used to fix a myriad different hydraulic hose links until an actual replacement can be ordered...

As long as you have enough hose (s) and the fittings to use them being able to keep working with a temporary repair will save you much more than the cost of a few spare parts...

 

[Sonny580]

Looked into the hose business one time-----Aint NO way you could make anything doing that! as for own use here, its MODIFY/ADAPT everything to standard size. dont look pretty but saves a big hassle trying to get that odd ball ends stuff.

 

[ning]

That's much better than at my local shops, I'm in a rural where the choices are a saw shop and a deep sea ship outfitter. I get mine from Surp. Cent. in 2-3 days. I am open to better suppliers.

I'm rural too, but this shop was a trucking business in the area for many years and apparently services the whole area. It's 10mi from me, which works well for me, probably just lucky that they're here.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Handy to have a good friend that makes hoses/hard lines and has the best assortment of fittings for a hundred miles.

I used one of those do it yourself "skive"??? fittings once, and it failed!

Since I have that friend, I don't need or try to keep much. What I do find invaluable are caps and plugs for various configurations,

 

[STx]

The key is to buy adapter fittings (primarily f/m swivel) that convert whatever is on you machines to NPT...(the swivel fittings make connections a breeze)...Then along with the fittings buy an assortment (length and size) of hose assemblies....

...for instance a 3/8" x 48" hose assembly is $7.00 at S_C...a 1/2" x 48" is $9.00 a 6' is $11.00....so it is not that expensive to keep some fittings and generic (NPT) hoses on hand that can be used to fix a myriad different hydraulic hose links until an actual replacement can be ordered...

As long as you have enough hose (s) and the fittings to use them being able to keep working with a temporary repair will save you much more than the cost of a few spare parts...

That's actually a priority good idea. If I got adapters for all my odd stuff, I could keep a small hose inventory. I've got British, Metric and SAE hose ends right now so it's hard to keep spares for everything.