What are the dangers of choosing the wrong hydraulic hose?
A lot of people understand the dangers of using a hose that is worn or damaged. However, not everyone is aware that simply selecting the wrong hose or coupling to use for their application can be equally as dangerous.
When you come into Parker Hydraulics, we will ask you to advise what you are using it for, at what pressure and in what application. This is because certain hoses are designed for certain tasks, not every hose is able to withstand the same temperatures or pressures as others. They are also not able to transfer the same types of materials (e.g., chemicals, air, water, etc.) and to top it off, hoses are offered in different sizes, levels of durability, flexibility, and pressure.
Ignoring what the hose is designed for, the maximum pressure it can handle can result in serious injuries. People assume that the manufacturer or company selling you the hose is trying to scam you by saying that different hoses are designed for different things, hence why you chose a hose that you felt was most within your budget. What could go wrong?
Choosing the most appropriate hydraulic hose for your application helps you get the maximum life expectancy, quality matters the most, and you need to pay much more attention to selecting the hydraulic hose before the project.
How do I choose the correct hydraulic hose?
Hydraulic hoses can be used in a variety of different environments, here at Parker Hydraulics we work alongside our hose partner Gates and use their STAMPED Hose Selection Guide to guide you on how to select the best hydraulic hose for your own.
STAMPED stands for Size, Temperature, Application, Material, Pressure, Ends, Delivery
Size:
- What is the inside (ID) of the hose?
- Is the outside diameter (OD) important to you?
- How long do you require the hose to be?
- Is the exact overall length including fittings?
Temperature:
- What is the temperature of the product being conveyed?
- What temperatures will the external cover be subject to?
The hose selected must be capable of withstanding the minimum and maximum temperatures seen by the system. Care must be taken when routing near hot manifolds and in extreme cases a heat shield may be advisable.
Application:
- Where will this hose be used?
- How will it be handled or installed?
- Will the hose be subject to any flexing, dragging, oils/chemicals, etc?
- What is the reason for replacement (if so)?
- Does the hose have to meet certain regulations?
- Where and how will the hose be routed?
- How will it be connected, which threads are required?
Material:
- What is the substance or material being conveyed through the hose?
- If it is a chemical, identify the concentration (%).
- If it is a material, is it wet or dry?
- What size are the particles?
- Are they sharp or abrasive?
Pressure:
- Determine if it is a pressure and/or vacuum application.
- What is the maximum working pressure?
- Are there any pressure spikes? Pressure spikes greater than the published working pressure would shorten the hose life and need to be taken into consideration.
Ends:
- What type of end is required to connect the hose to the system?
- Given all the above information, what type of fitting and clamping system should be used?
- What thread is required?
Delivery:
- When is the hose required by?
- How many do you require?
- Is there any special packaging requirements needed?
- Do they hoses need to be labelled?
