A hydraulic hose is just one of many styles of industrial hoses. There are many issues which could lead to their failure before their time including; improper routing, incorrect pressures, and improper use – and operators should be aware of all of these.
If you are now wondering how long your hose assemblies should last, this can be quite tricky to determine. It will all depend on what you are using the hose for and how extreme the conditions are which it is exposed to. The main point, however, is that they should be checked and tested often to get the most use out of them.
These are some factors you should consider when preventing hydraulic hose failure:
Elemental Exposure
If your hose is exposed to extremely cold or super-hot temperatures, then these will more than likely breakdown quicker than a hose in average conditions unless you buy one with specific compounds built-in. To prevent the hose from breaking down as quickly, there are some preventative measures you can put in place after purchasing.
There are hose covers on the market which are specifically for either hot or cold temperature. For example, in extremely hot temperatures, you could add a Pyrojacket to the outer of your hose. This can withstand temperatures well over 200 degrees Celsius. You can also find metal hose covers which protect from abrasion, metal splash and sparks.
Hose covers will usually only delay the inevitable if the conditions are particularly harsh.
Improper Routing
Improper routing is one of the main reasons why hoses fail; it causes unnecessary strain and abrasion on the hose. This extra stress on the assembly will often lead it to fail early. Usually, the issue is where the fitting Is crimped by the end of the hose assembly.
Constant Usage
Any hoses which are under continuous stress and use, such as being part of commercial construction equipment going for 40+ hours a week, will need more attention than a hose which is used here and there.
Hoses on high-use equipment will need to be frequently checked. This means you’ll be able to catch any minor problems before they turn into something more difficult to sort out – preventing full stoppage later on down the line.
Dry Air
When air is very dry, it can cause the inner tubes of hoses to crack and fail. It can be difficult to spot this due to it being an interior issue. However, there may be signs of leakage due to this.
If you want to avoid dry air-related issues, you will have to either raise the humidity of your environment or use a hose which is suitable. Hoses with EPDM or PKR inner tubes are the best option for this.
