Types of Hydraulic Hoses

Types of Hydraulic Hoses

Types of Hydraulic Hoses
Different Types of Hydraulic Hoses

Hydraulic systems are actually everywhere; All you have to do is look in the right places. If you see orange barriers on construction sites, you also see equipment equipped with hydraulic systems in these areas. Zero-turn lawn mower? Yes. Garbage truck? Again, it's true. Car brakes, slope of outboards, manufacturing facilities and more. In short, they appear everywhere.

Hydraulic hoses or systems use pressurized hydraulic fluid to provide labor in a mechanical system. Let's explain briefly: Hydraulic fluid is an incompressible fluid based on oil or water. Because it is incompressible, it can efficiently transmit the energy it receives from the pump to the engine or cylinder. To describe the simplest hydraulic system, we can give an example of a wood splitting machine. A pump takes the liquid from the reservoir, puts it into pressure with the return line. The pressurized liquid, passed through a 2-wire hose, reaches a cylinder and begins to push until it splits the wood. When the piston is retracted, the fluid is sent through the return hose back into the reservoir, cools down and is ready for the next cycle. This system — reservoir, pump, cylinder, and hose — makes up the hydraulic system.

Hydraulic SystemGetting to know your system a little more will help you choose the right hose. Choosing a hydraulic hose is actually not that complicated once you start to understand the different options and why these options are available.

On one side, there are numerous hydraulic hose specifications that any manufacturer produces. For example, there are 19 SAE 100R specifications and a number of European EN specifications available. On the other hand, it's actually quite simple. Basically, you have three options: metal wire rubber, textile reinforced thermoplastic or stainless braided Teflon. Of course, there are also some specific types of apps, and we'll talk about them a little later, but essentially these are your three main options. Once you know which type to choose, everything else will take shape by itself.

Key Features of Hydraulic HoseBefore you get started, there are a few general features that you should be aware of. First, the hydraulic hose part numbers indicate the inner diameter with the 1/16th system. For example, hose -04 has an inner diameter of 1/4" (4=1/4), while 12 has 3/4" (12=3/4), and so on. As an example of a part number, H28006 is the hose type H280 and the size is 06, i.e. 3/8" inner diameter.

Also, hydraulic hoses are often rated with a safety factor of 4:1. This means that a hose that can withstand a pressure of 3,000 psi can withstand a pressure of 12,000 psi or more. However, as an exception, some types of hoses (e.g., jack hoses) may have a safety factor of 2:1 because they are static and low-stress applications. If you are concerned about the safety factor, you can contact us.

The overall structure of the hydraulic hose consists of the inner tube, reinforcement and coating. The inner tube is the part that carries the hydraulic fluid. Reinforcement is the layer that provides resistance to pressure and gives strength. Finally, the coating protects the reinforcement from wear and corrosion.

Hydraulic Hose Structure TypesThere are three main types of structure for the pressure line of the hydraulic system and one type of structure for the return line . Hoses for the pressure line are usually made of rubber, thermoplastic or Teflon materials.

Shovel
Shovel hydraulic hoses are usually made of nitrile squawk, as this material is compatible with most hydraulic fluids. Shovelous hoses can be reinforced with textile braid for low-pressure applications below 1,000 psi or with high-tensile steel wire for high pressure up to 7,000 psi. Steel wire reinforced hoses are more common. Structures can be made with reinforcement from one layer to six layers.

• 1 Wire Mesh – used in low pressure hydraulic systems.• 2 Wire Mesh – used in medium pressure hydraulic systems.• 4 Wire Spiral – Generally used in heavy equipment, high pressure (4,000-6,000 psi) requirement. It has high impact resistance.• 6 Wire Spiral – Usually used for large diameter and very high pressure (up to 7,000 psi).

Retreads are usually made of engineering tires that are resistant to environmental factors and wear. Some manufacturers produce durable coatings specifically for applications that require extreme wear protection; these can have UHMW coatings so that it can withstand aggressive wear and impact.

ThermoplasticThis structure usually consists of a nylon tube, synthetic fiber reinforcement and polyurethane coating. Thermoplastic hoses are frequently used in general hydraulic applications, near material handling, forklifts and electrical systems. It can operate at levels close to the pressures that rubber hoses with steel wire reinforcement can carry, but can be used where a tire hose cannot work. Polyurethane coating shows excellent performance against pulley wear on forklifts. In situations where electrical hazards are involved, for example in a boom lift used for power line repair, a non-conductive thermoplastic hose is ideal.

Teflon or PTFETeflon hose is made with stainless braid reinforcement and does not corrode under normal conditions, so it does not require coating. Teflon hose is used in applications where properties such as corrosion resistance, chemical compatibility, or high temperature are important. It has a temperature resistance of up to 450°F.

Return Line of Hydraulic HosesA return line is a hose that sends hydraulic fluid back to the beginning of the system and can draw a vacuum. Such hoses are usually made with textile braided rubber tube for positive pressure and helical wire for vacuum.

Automotive Hoses – Hydraulic Hoses
Automotive hose is a special category in the hydraulic hose family. SAE 100R5 is a special type of hose that is made with a wire mesh and is used in road vehicles. Like Teflon hose, the sizing of truck hose is not compatible with the 1/16 system used in standard hydraulic hoses. The hose inner diameter can range from 1/16" to 1/8" depending on the size.