Make Hydraulic line?

[ch1ch2]

I have a few bent or crushed steel hydraulic lines. Can I build new steel lines or do I have to buy new lines from the dealer?
If I can build them, is it just a matter of flaring the end of the line and installing a JIC fitting? I have flaring tools from plumbing. Will they work on steel? Will it hold up to 3000 psi?

 

[Arc weld]

You need to use seamless hyd. grade tubing and JIC flare ends are a different angle than copper(plumbing) flares. It's usually not too expensive to have a hyd. shop make up simple lines but for tight bends or complex lines, you often have to buy new lines from the OEM. I had to on a line for my backhoe and they aren't cheap from Cat. On another line that had rubbed through, I cut the bad section out, had the good pieces flared and used hyd. hose to connect them. Otherwise I would have had to do major disassembly to get a new line in.

 

[mrmikey]

If you can it might be cheaper/easier to replace the steel lines with hose, I've done that numerous times mainley because I can get hose and fittings a lot easier than I can tubing.....Mike

 

[ch1ch2]

I have replaced tubing with hose before. But I find I use the equipment in rough areas and the brush and limbs tend to grab hoses but not so much lines. In one case the line goes under the tractor with a few bends. Not a candidate for a hose.

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

I have a few bent or crushed steel hydraulic lines. Can I build new steel lines or do I have to buy new lines from the dealer?
If I can build them, is it just a matter of flaring the end of the line and installing a JIC fitting? I have flaring tools from plumbing. Will they work on steel? Will it hold up to 3000 psi?

I don't know much about plumbing, but most low pressure flares are 45 degrees. JIC fittings require a 37 degree flare. You are probably also working with soft copper tubing, which is quite different from steel hydraulic tubing. The tools you have now may not be up to the task.

We have a number of flaring tools and bending tools available if you want do this right.

Hydraulic Tube Flaring Tools @ DiscountHydraulicHose.com

Hydraulic Tube Benders @ DiscountHydraulicHose.com

 

[mikehaugen]

You could also get braze-on fittings. Then either braze or silver-solder them on. I think that is how my lines are put together, Then uses orb (flat-face) fittings where it joins the hoses.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Most hydraulic flares in my experience are what are called reverse flare fittings. The male end is down in the socket of what looks like the female part. They are also a double flare which is a special tool that folds it into itself and gives a double wall flare which withstands vibration better. Yes, they are 37 degree also which is not your standard hardware store item. Auto gas lines and brake lines use the same system. Most good hydraulic shops can duplicate the lines much cheaper than buying from the dealer.

Ron

 

[ch1ch2]

Thank all of you for the input. I have been out of town and am just now reading this.
All the 5 shops I have been to only make rubber hose type lines. I do not want to buy from the dealer. I have no knowledge or experience building hydraulic lines but I think I can do it, if I know what I need. I do not want to build something dangerous. One of the lines I need to replace has a banjo fitting on it. I may have enough room on the line to reuse that part if I can not find the correct end.
Where can I get the parts and instructions?

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

Most hydraulic flares in my experience are what are called reverse flare fittings. The male end is down in the socket of what looks like the female part. They are also a double flare which is a special tool that folds it into itself and gives a double wall flare which withstands vibration better. Yes, they are 37 degree also which is not your standard hardware store item. Auto gas lines and brake lines use the same system. Most good hydraulic shops can duplicate the lines much cheaper than buying from the dealer.

Ron

Actually, the fitting you appear to be describing is called inverted flare. That fitting is common in automobiles, including many power steering systems, but it is almost never used in hydraulic fluid power for tractors and the like.

37 degree flare fittings, which are as common as pipe fittings in hydraulics, look quite the opposite of what you're described. You can see some examples of 37 degree flare fittings here.

JIC 37° Hydraulic Tube Fittings > Discount Hydraulic Hose.com

 

[dfkrug]

Actually, the fitting you appear to be describing is called inverted flare.
That fitting is common in automobiles, including many power steering systems, but it is almost never used in hydraulic
fluid power for tractors and the like.

They call those "AN" fittings, from "Army-Navy".

Yes, those are the ones used for automotive hydraulic applications, and (sadly) you guys at DHH don't carry
any adapters. The last time I used an automotive PS pump to power an hydraulic cylinder, I had to buy an
AN adapter, which connected up fine to my JIC hoses.