When do hydraulic hoses need replacing?

[silvertramp]

I replace mine when they blow.

 

[kennyd]

Not to be a pita and disagree with all you fine folk, but I blew a 'swing cylinder' hose on a tlb backhoe one day. Couldn't lift the stabilizers, nor get the bucket out of the trench I was digging. Also couldn't lift the fel. Also the very hot spray of leaking fluid hit me in the leg, which while it didn't hurt me, (it could have easily) was very uncomfortable.

I had to change the hose right there, in the mud in fluid soaked pants.

Now I like to check to see if any are cracked or weepy or chafed and then replace them to prevent future stuff like this.

A brand new hose can fail just as easily the first time it's pressurized, all it takes is a distracted crimper operator or defective hose.
Your never guaranteed a clean and comfy place to repair your equipment

 

[rswyan]

And with crazyal ... once the braiding on a hose with a damaged outer casing starts to rust it's time to replace.

As for a hose blowing being no big deal, I guess that depends on which hose it is and what you are doing when it happens.

Having one go when you're curling an empty loader back might be a little different than say having one go when you've got the forks on and are pulling a 2000 lb pallet off a truck, with it 4' in the air.

 

[nybirdman]

I purchase spares for my grapple/snow-plow from Surplus Center.MUCH cheaper than the local auto store.Tractor Supply also has them reasonable.

 

[fred.hayfarm]

Thanks for the replies. I can relax a little.

 

[UniversalHosman]

Fred,

For what it is worth, most of our hose assembly customers come for hoses for three reasons:

1) They've blown a hose and need replacement. Bluntly put, we don't see too many from this group because these guys need to get stuff done and are willing to pay more to get up and running TODAY.

2) Guys who are rebuilding or restoring tractors. Seems like a good time to replace all the hoses to them and who am I to argue? Actually if someone is trying to restore an older tractor it does make sense to replace the hoses as old ones would just make project look ratty.

3) Replacing hoses that show signs if imminent failure.

To me the third reason seems the most practical. As others have mentioned, a new hose can blow too. However, I do think it it would be wise to consider replacing all the hoses on the same unit at the same time. I've seen plenty of times when one hose is changed only to see another one fail. Even if one of the new hoses blows due to assembly error, you would still have a serviceable hose to use while replacing the defective one.

Andy

 

[LD1]

Pretty much echo what others said. If the outer jacket is cracked or worn through and the steel braids start to show rusting....time for a replace.

I like replacing before they blow, So I can order my hoses through one of the many cheaper places online vs local and pricey.

Last hose I actually blew was for dipper control on my backhoe. The main hose that goes from the valve, thru the swing posts, and hooks to the steel line running up inside the boom. This rubber section flexes alot since it runs through the swing post.

It didnt actually "blow" but was a pretty good leak every time I had to crowd the dipper. Was needing the hose pretty quick and no time to wait.

NAPA (only place that had the hose ends in stock) charged me ~$130. This is a 3/4" hose with -14 Female JIC swivel ends and ~54" long.

Online would have been $10 per fitting, bout $3 per foot of hose. So ~$35 + $10 crimp fee + Shipping. I could have likely had 3 of them for the price I paid for a single hose.