Needing industrial hose repair? Contact the professionals at Custom Hose Tech! When it comes to your hydraulic systems and the hose assemblies, you want them working in perfect order. They’re essential to your machines working correctly, after all, and completely replacing a hose when you haven’t planned to do so already is expensive. Knowing the signs of needing repair is a good way to keep on top of your industrial hoses and ensure that they last as long as possible.
First of all, you should know that the life cycle of a hydraulic hose and their fittings, can be a little iffy at times. It all depends on the circumstances of use: how many are being used, how they’re fitted, how often they get used, etc. You should probably schedule a replacement for your hoses every 1 to 2 years, but it could be sooner than that depending on use. Do yourself a favor and keep track of all replacements and repairs made. Number your hoses (or even name them if you’d like) so that you can keep track of each specific one, and how it functions, and lasts compared to others.
Setting up a preventative inspection schedule is a good way to keep from your hoses breaking under stress as well. Just replacing your hoses on schedule every couple of years sometimes isn’t enough to prevent them from breaking, so being aware of every problem is only beneficial. Be sure that all your hoses are fitted properly. Regularly check the cooling systems and the pressure regulators and be sure that they’re working correctly. Be sure the pumps and motors are in good condition as well, as one system failing can lead to the hoses sustaining damage. Check your hoses and fittings for the following signs of damage and keep an eye out for the causes of the damage.
Signs You May Need to Repair Your Industrial Hose:
- Crushed Hoses – Hoses that have been crushed in some way, whether or not they are still being crushed, suffer from the buildup of pressure. Too much pressure building can lead to burst hoses, which can damage more equipment and make a rather large mess.
- Oil Leaks – Oil leaks could be a sign that there’s a hole in your hose or that there’s a problem with your fittings. You may need a professional to determine the cause for you, but if you see oil leaking or puddling around your hoses, you should stop using them immediately and consider repair or replacement. Generally, if the leak is coming from the hose itself, the hose will need to be replaced. If the fitting is damaged, it may be able to be repaired by replacing the damaged part, or you may consider just replacing the entire fitting.
- Exposed Wiring – Exposed wiring means that there’s been significant damage done to the outside of your hose. This could lead to a breach of the hose walls. These wires will begin showing under normal use over time, indicating that the life span of the hose is up and its time to be replaced. If your hose is showing its wiring soon after being replaced, when normal usage shouldn’t have worn it down that much yet, then you may need to search for other contributing factors to the damage.
- Hose Damage (Extreme) – Little scuffs and marks are normal, but large amounts of abrasions or scuffing can be signs of dangerous wearing. Damage to the outside of the hose can lead to burst hoses. Often this comes through usual use and age and keeping on top of the problem is sufficient. If your new hoses are becoming damaged too quickly, however, you may want to check to see if you find the problem.
- Kinks and Twisting – Bending of the hose means that it’s not being routed correctly. You may need a swivel or to completely reroute the hosing. Kinking and twisting can lead to abrasions and tears along the hose body, so it’s best to check your hose thoroughly when coming across these problems. As well as the abrasions and tears, the buildup of pressure that kinking and twisting can cause leads to burst hoses.
- Cracked Fittings – Any cracked or corroded fittings need to be repaired or replaced, and the faulty fittings may have caused damage to the hose as well. Red rust is a sign of bigger issues, and you may want to find out how your fittings are becoming so damaged.
It is extremely important to remember not to touch pressurized hoses with your hands. Even if you’re wearing gloves, do not touch the hoses. Hydraulic hoses, or rather the contents of the hoses, are highly dangerous and if any of the oil gets injected or introduced to your bloodstream, the health ramifications are extreme, as in amputation or death. So, remember, if you’re looking for a leak, either have a professional do so, or use a piece of wood (or cardboard or some other sturdy material) to locate it, not your hands.
For that matter, when you’re cleaning spills made by damaged hoses, be sure to do so carefully and following all protocols. Leaks can make the floor slippery as well, and people will be prone to fall injuries if the spills aren’t taken care of. Even the smallest of leaks can pose a danger to those who are working, so its best to keep on top of the problems and clean them up as soon as you notice them.
Keeping your industrial hydraulic hoses in good condition is mostly a matter of keeping on top of the checks. Proper care and safety means that your hoses will live out their intended life-span, and your operation will run smoothly. If you’re in need of replacement parts, then we here at Custom Hose Tech have just what you need. And with our custom fabrication, we can even get you the parts and pieces that are nearly impossible to find and replace. So, if you’re looking for help with your industrial hose repairs, or just have questions regarding hydraulic hoses, fittings, pumps and motors, then feel free to contact us. We’re always here to help you out.