Making hydraulic lines

BobReeves · Nov 5, 2005

Does anyone sell an inexpensive manual hydraulic hose crimper?

When it gets to cold to be outside I am going to re-plumb my loader and will need to make 6 or 7 hydraulic lines of various lengths.

Thinking if I could make the hoses I would be able to make it neat with each hose being the exact length needed. Right now most hoses are too long, it not only looks bad but the cross over hoses are hanging down under the tractor and am afraid they will catch on something.

MadReferee · Nov 5, 2005

These are not cheap. For only 7 hoses you are much better off having a hydraulic shop make the hoses for you. These crimpers are usually in the 30-50 ton range and you will need dies for each size fitting you want to crimp.

An alternative would be to purchase crimpless fittings. They are more expensive but are not really permanent. I personally would not use them for permanent installations but they do work for quick repairs.

Discount Hydraulic Hose sells crimpers, fittings and hoses made to your specs. I have done business with these guys and their service is great. You actually talk to someone who knows something. Have them make your hoses too.

PineRidge · Nov 5, 2005

I agree with MadReferee it's cheaper to have your hydraulic hoses made. I just had discounthydraulichose make 2 hoses for a snowplow project and both were less than 13 bucks each. They arrived 2 days after we ordered them. In my opinion making hoses yourself is not worthwhile for cost savings.

BobReeves · Nov 5, 2005

Thanks guys, downloaded the catalogs from Discount Hydraulic, lots of good info and think with the catalogs for reference I can design the plumbing so it doesn't look like spaghetti.

Lots of choices on hose types, what type hose would be best/standard for a loader?

MadReferee · Nov 5, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Lots of choices on hose types, what type hose would be best/standard for a loader? )</font>

R2 hose will work just fine. Use it for everything. It's rated at 4000 psi and has 2 braids (wires). Your loader hoses are probably 3/8".