425 Steering Hose Replacement

catsco · Oct 14, 2009

I knew it had to happen, just didn't think it would be this soon.

For nearly 300 hours, I've seen a very small seep (oily film after 10 hours after pressure washing) from one of the hoses to the right side steering cylinder. I'd tightened the fitting, but didn't want to overtighten it.

Yesterday, while a friend was moving some logs, oil started spraying out, and he discovered that the leak wasn't at the fitting, but at the point where the one hose is zip tied to the other to keep it out of the way when turning to full lock.

Our only local source (within 20 miles) is NAPA, and they only had 5000 psi hose with fairly large fittings. The hose isn't very flexible, but worked for this location.

The downside is that the 36" hose cost nearly $40!

I'm going to try to find somewhere not too far away to have a spare made for the steering and lift hoses, all of which are the same length.

I'm posting this to caution against relying on PT for information for some things - I wasn't there, so I called PT and was told that the hose was 32" long. It was actually 37", so I almost got one too short - had my friend remove the old one with some difficulty at the remote location & call me to verify.

To their credit, PT said that getting a hose locally would be much cheaper, but didn't give me their price.

So - my question is: Online I see a lot of much lower cost hoses w/5000 psi rating, but the originals are 3000 psi. How can I make sure that I'm getting the thinner more flexible ones where the others won't work. Online suppliers show 2 & 4 wire, but no one seems to have actual OD listed. The 5000 psi one I had made wouldn't work in many places where a much tighter bend is needed.

Thanks!

MossRoad · Oct 14, 2009

You could try Surplus Center https://www.surpluscenter.com/home.asp
or
Baileys"s Bailey Hydraulic Cylinders Manufacturer

woodlandfarms · Oct 14, 2009

JJ and Wayne County can give you all the gritty details on hoses. Napa had only a 4 wire hose for my wheel motors (3/4") and man that was a bear. Also, there are different kinds of ends for hoses, and I found PT made many design concepts based on a shorter end version (that my NAPA did not stock). I drive about 35 miles for my hoses as I pick up other stuff (Woods Logging has the coolest T-shirts and the guys who hang out there are pro loggers so an interesting crowd for me to hang with), but I found a bunch of places locally (Like machine shops) that made hoses but did not advertise the fact.

ponytug · Oct 14, 2009

Also Northern Tool & Equipment Currently they have a 36" 3000psi hose for $10.99...

Lots of hoses to choose from, just make sure you get the right fittings (SAE/JIC/NPT...); my hoses seem to have various types.

All the best,

Peter

MossRoad said:
You could try Surplus Center https://www.surpluscenter.com/home.asp
or
Baileys"s Bailey Hydraulic Cylinders Manufacturer

J_J · Oct 14, 2009

Your best bet is to take you old hose in to the hyd supplier, and go from there. You can ask for a more flexible hose that will handle the same pressure. You may be able to find one off the shelf, at a TSC. You can also get the reusable fittings and make up your own hose.

jaquetarr · Oct 16, 2009

I have had the misfortune to replace two hoses. One split soon after taking delivery and in the second case, I crushed a hose fitting while attaching the backhoe.

In the first case I removed the hose and took it to a hyd shop. In the second case, I called around the local auto shops and found one that made hoses. Both jobs were reasonably priced and quick. They were NOT Parker brand as came off. The Hyd fluid did not seem to care as it stayed inside the replacment hose.

Tim

catsco · Oct 19, 2009

J_J said:
Your best bet is to take you old hose in to the hyd supplier, and go from there. You can ask for a more flexible hose that will handle the same pressure. You may be able to find one off the shelf, at a TSC. You can also get the reusable fittings and make up your own hose.

Thanks, JJ - my post came about because in the midst of a few million people along the front range of Colorado, the small NAPA store is the only source within 30 miles and has exactly ONE type of hose, the 4 wire way-too-stiff one.

I did find (on a trip to the nearest city) a Parker store which was about half the price, but still twice the price of other internet sources listed.

Thanks for the help everyone!

PS - I'd love to shop at TSC, but none within a reasonable distance.

J_J · Oct 19, 2009

Try here.

http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/Hydraulic_Hose_s/84.htm

Discount Hydraulic Hose.com

Wayne County Hose · Oct 19, 2009

catsco said:
Thanks, JJ - my post came about because in the midst of a few million people along the front range of Colorado, the small NAPA store is the only source within 30 miles and has exactly ONE type of hose, the 4 wire way-too-stiff one.
I did find (on a trip to the nearest city) a Parker store which was about half the price, but still twice the price of other internet sources listed.

Thanks for the help everyone!

PS - I'd love to shop at TSC, but none within a reasonable distance.

Please tell me you are joking. I think I would go back there and ask again. If they are going to carry only one type of hose, it will always be 2 wire.
If I were you, as long as you know exactly what you want, I would pm Hydraulic Hose Guy. I think his name is Ken, from Discount Hydraulic Hose. Ask him to read this thread. I am sure he will suggest 100R16 hose.
Parker, Weatherhead, Gates, Aeroquip, you won't really notice much of a difference between your major hose manufacturers as far as serviceability goes. I have my preferences based on their outer coating and crimp fitting configuration.

Andy

Oh, BTW, maybe PT meant 32" of hose, then the crimp fittings, not 32" OAL.