Hydraulic Hose Size

jgbanshee · Oct 21, 2009

I plan on routing two hydraulic hoses from my rear remotes up to the cross-member between the FEL arms for a grapple and power angle snow plow. My tractor specs the max flow for the rear remotes is 8 GPM. Should I use 3/8" hose with 1/2" QC's or 1/2" hose with 1/2" QC's. Either way the hose length will be 16' long. I dont think that heat is a problem because they are only used for a grapple and snow plow.

forester2 · Oct 21, 2009

I used 3/8 for both uses with no problem. Some guys suggest 1/4 for grapple to slow them down.

Soundguy · Oct 21, 2009

That's what I'd do.. 1/4 hoses.. cheaper too.

soundguy

kennyd · Oct 21, 2009

Soundguy said:
That's what I'd do.. 1/4 hoses.. cheaper too.

soundguy

I agree, 1/4" hoses. The 8 GPM figure is irrelevant because its not the cylinders for the plow or grapple do not require constant flow.

jgbanshee · Oct 21, 2009

So, the majority agrees that I should use 1/4" hose. Does the 8 GPM rating matter for any implement? What size QC's should I use?

kennyd · Oct 21, 2009

jgbanshee said:
What size QC's should I use?

Use 1/4" or 3/8" QD's, whatever is easier to get...does not really matter.

Does the 8 GPM rating matter for any implement?

Only if it requires constant flow-like a hydraulic PHD.

Soundguy · Oct 21, 2009

jgbanshee said:
So, the majority agrees that I should use 1/4" hose. Does the 8 GPM rating matter for any implement? What size QC's should I use?

yeah.. hyd motors.. that's where high sustained flow is needed.

soundguy

J_J · Oct 22, 2009

jgbanshee said:
So, the majority agrees that I should use 1/4" hose. Does the 8 GPM rating matter for any implement? What size QC's should I use?

It is recommended to use one size larger QC for full flow.

Soundguy · Oct 22, 2009

I think he's actually looking 'for' restriction.. if he wanted full flow.. we'd be telling him 3/8 hose at least.

soundguy

J_J · Oct 22, 2009

If you think you might ever use a hyd motorized attachment on the front, I would go with 3/8 in hose, and 1/2 QC's. You could still add a restrictor in the line, or a needle valve.

Soundguy · Oct 22, 2009

He could also just save the money, do the 1/4 now, and if he ever goes to a motor.. get brand new hoses when he gets the motor. If he waits 4-5-6 ys for the motor.. no reason to have old hoses on it, vs new ones.

I know bigger is better in general.. but we don't need to overthink the original posters state issue he is trying to solve... IMHO.

soundguy

J_J · Oct 22, 2009

I would suggest this rather than smaller hoses. Variable control, set it and forget it, until you need full flow.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009102213494517&item=9-5300-38&catname=hydraulic

Diamondpilot · Oct 22, 2009

I used 1/4" hose 17' long to run the power angle on my plow. My system is 6 gpm I believe and it works great. I had 1/2"QC at the rear but not issues. My setup is just temporary when the plow is on.

Chris

Soundguy · Oct 22, 2009

J_J said:
I would suggest this rather than smaller hoses. Variable control, set it and forget it, until you need full flow.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009102213494517&item=9-5300-38&catname=hydraulic

Nice valve.. again though.. it adds another what? 40$ by the time it's shipped.. to the price of his setup.

1/4 lines with 1/4 connectrs are gonna do exactly what this guy needs.. vs the expense of large lines.. large connectors, and flow control valves.

this issue is getting way overworked... it's a penny problem with nickle, dime and quarter answers.

soundguy

voltage4974 · Oct 22, 2009

Used 1/4 hoses for my snow plow from the rear. its slower to angle but not worth the price difference. surplus center was the cheapest even shipped. beat all of our tractor places and our auto part stores. same identicle hose as i could get here but half the price.. and besides doe you want to ty up that heavy half inch hose 1/4 is easy to work with

Wayne County Hose · Oct 23, 2009

Soundguy said:
Nice valve.. again though.. it adds another what? 40$ by the time it's shipped.. to the price of his setup.

1/4 lines with 1/4 connectrs are gonna do exactly what this guy needs.. vs the expense of large lines.. large connectors, and flow control valves.

this issue is getting way overworked... it's a penny problem with nickle, dime and quarter answers.

soundguy

Thank-you Soundguy, thank-you from the bottom of my heart!