425 Steering Hose Replacement

[catsco]

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.
QUOTE]

I wish I were joking. The O.D. of the 4 wire (they have about 25 ft. of their only roll left) hose and it's fittings is almost to large to attached the ends to the steering cylinder. Looks odd, but works.

All of a sudden, or maybe not so suddenly, another steering hose and the three lift hoses (excluding the one I just replaced w/the Parker store hose) are seeping.

Looks like 750 hours is the magic number for hose life on my 425!

 

[jaquetarr]

Are you getting any chaffing or excessive flexing in these hoses that is causing this early failure? Looking back at your first post you say the weep is at the point where two hoses are tied together in a high flex position. Maybe the hose length is too tight or some chaffing gear is needed. Any kids of solvent or unusual exposure to UV radiation such as from a welder?
Perhaps these are useful thoughts.
Brgds,
tim

 

[jaquetarr]

Got the latest issue of Machinery Lubrication magazine and noted an article about Hydraulic hose Contamination. In the article was a paragraph about Multi-plane bending.
This is defined as the hose bending in more than one plane that results in the twisting of the wire reinforcment. A 5 deg twist can reduce life by 70% and a 7 deg twist can reduce life by 90% of service life.

With the articulation of the PowerTrac and the fixed clamping of the hose, the hose may be subject to these internal stresses. Might expalin the 750 hr MTBF you've experienced.

Brgds,
tim

 

[catsco]

Great info...thanks!

That would explain why the failure was where it was.

The hose was also tightly zip tied to the hose from the other end of the steering cylinder, so the end of the crimp fitting was chafing where it couldn't be seen.

The lift cylinder hoses (at the cylinders) and the steering hoses (also at the cylinder) are weeping a little. Takes about 5 hours to see any oil film after thorough cleaning of the area.

The only other hose that has weeping is on of the oil cooler hoses - probably the longest one on the whole tractor, and under all the other ones in the main body tub.

Ones that have no movement seem fine.

UV isn't a factor as the tractor is stored inside, but the 4.5 years, extreme temperatures (120 deg. in storage during summer to -25 deg. in winter) are probably also a factor.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Tim,

Great point. Another reason why I always suggest people get a hydraulic hose catalog and skim through it periodically. It is all in there. When Installing a hose, I always try to install it with the layline (writing on the hose) facing so I can see it for the distance of the hose. That way you know it's straight. Also a good idea to use 2 wrenches when installing a hose, one to tighten the nut and the other to keep the hose from twisting.

It seems like your PT's hydraulic systems get a lot of pulsing. This will shorten hose life. Try to have your hoses clamped down, ty-raps aren't good enough. Also remember that the hose shouldn't start bending until it is 1.5x the outside diamater away from the crimp. I also like 100R16 hose for applications like this, it takes pulsing better than your standard 2 wire 100R2 hose.

Andy

 

[SpringHollow]

I just had my tilt hose rupture while using the mini hoe, spraying oil at the cab area of the tractor. Fortunately, i was wearing safety glasses at the time so the oil got on my glasses instead of my eyes. Just a reminder that safety items are for the unexpected events. With all of the hydraulic lines right in front of the PT's, wearing glasses is a good idea, especially when using the FEL or attachments. Today's incident certainly will make me wear them more.

Andy, the hose was 100R17, not sure if it was original to the tractor or not. Nice bending radius but 100R16 also has a nice bending radius. The auto parts hose place made a hose with 5000 psi rating so either 100R2 or 100R16. 100R16 does not have as thick a cover as 100R2?

Ken

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Wow, 100R17 is a 3045 psi hose! Used where a small bend radius is needed. Interesting.
Yes, 100R16 hose has half the bend radius of equivalently sized 100R2 hose. Also a thinner cover, and cheaper! To me, 100R2 is a dinosaur. I would only use it if I couldn't find anything else. btw, 100R16 and 100R17 have the same bend radius. 100R17 is a weird hose, is that a factory PT hose?

Was your 5,000psi hose 1/4"? If not, what size was it? The 100R# should be plainly visible on it, I believe it's a requirement that it be clearly labeled but I may be wrong.
Given the PT's layout that puts you close to the work, safety wear would probably be a good idea. You might try the plastic wrap on your hoses. This would help keep leaks contained. It can also be installed without removing the hose.

 

[ponytug]

Dear WCH,

I assume that you don't mean Saran(Tm) wrap...What did you have in mind?

Thanks for the helpful comments!

Peter

... You might try the plastic wrap on your hoses. This would help keep leaks contained. It can also be installed without removing the hose.

 

[J_J]

http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/Hose_Protection_s/81.htm


Hose Guard : Hose protection of hydraulic and pneumatic hoses : spiral guard, hose wrap, spring, spiral wrap ...

Select hose guard.

Some of the wrap is spiral wrap . This is what I have on my steering hose.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Dear WCH,

I assume that you don't mean Saran(Tm) wrap...What did you have in mind?

Thanks for the helpful comments!

Peter

Actually, Saran tm Wrap is too expensive. I go for the Great Value stuff in the 250 yd roll. You can get the smaller roll if space is an issue.