Do hydraulic hoses rupture with age?

[terrifictimbersllc]

The one that just failed is the one coming out of the frame to the base of the in/out clamp cylinder.  Only about 10" out of the frame it goes to a 3/8 elbow pointing directly at it.   This moves up and down a bit and turns 90 degrees with about a 5" radius into the frame.  Right there is where it failed.     WM is now selling one that is 26" longer (171") which I ordered ($45) .   They said it was changed in 2002 from a previous 145" .  Since the distance to the frame hole with the current elbow position is only about 10", it seems that one is expected to point the elbow in a different direction and use the excess line to make a better position which will bend less.  We'll see. 

I also ordered the hose to the top of the same cylinder since it is scuffed at the bend and looks suspicious.  And a spare 3/8 in the longest size that my mill uses.  I already had a 1/4" spare which is what I am getting by with now (plus about 6 Napa fittings to increase it to 3/8 at the ends).     These hoses all cost about $40-45.   Not sure if I could do better elsewhere.  I will shop around now to see if I can get them cheaper so I'm ready the next time.

[Larry]

A stop by the VFD netted me a 10' piece of junk fire hose.  Perfect to protect my hoses in spots subject to abrasion or to add resistance to bending.  I've also put them to use on the forklift.



When prices get too high somebody always steps up to the plate.  My neighbor is building an addition to his shop for the sole propose of making hoses.  He is gathering fittings from auctions and buying bulk hose.  The dies are a bit expensive so he has been shopping eBay.  I sawed out his rafters...at no charge, just in case.  And a little side note.   This guy is up in his late seventies...no time like the present to start a new business.

[terrifictimbersllc]

This morning before I ordered the hoses from WM I stopped in again at NAPA and asked how much for a replacement 145" 3/8 hose (JIC female fittings on each end).  I was optimistic because I thought the manager told me yesterday that it was only about $1 per foot (stupid me).  The hydraulic kid said it would be about $8 per foot    so I passed (I don't mean I  died, I just didn't buy it-although I did really feel sick for just a bit).  He wasn't keen on splicing on a foot at the end where it was broken, because he didn't have the exact same kind of Weatherhead hose . He said $40 for the WM replacement was a bargain.

[Bandmill Bandit]

On the reusable fittings I know that Eaton has a good line of them. They are a bit pricey but Eaton made fittings for Cat for a long time and I have used them a few times. Best to use Eaton hose with Eaton fittings if your doing new lines. Grainger distributors generally have them in stock.

Belflex is another good name.   

[Gary_C]

This morning before I ordered the hoses from WM I stopped in again at NAPA and asked how much for a replacement 145" 3/8 hose (JIC female fittings on each end).  I was optimistic because I thought the manager told me yesterday that it was only about $1 per foot (stupid me).  The hydraulic kid said it would be about $8 per foot 

I don't have my file here at home, but the online price is $1.41 per foot so 145" would be $17.04 plus fittings and the fittings are about $3.19 each so the total cost should be $23.42. So $40 for an OEM hose is a good price.

I know the price at O'Reillys for 1/2 inch Gates hose is around $4.00 per foot retail so a NAPA price of $8 per foot for 3/8 hose is not good.

[terrifictimbersllc]

How much does a machine cost which will put 1/4 and 3/8 JIC fittings on hydraulic hose?

[Bandmill Bandit]

How much does a machine cost which will put 1/4 and 3/8 JIC fittings on hydraulic hose?

Used to be around 2500 to 3000 just for the machine if you bought your supplies from the dealer. Could be double that if you got your supplies else were. Once you switch to a good quality threaded system you wont likely go back to crimped fittings.

Just checked and the prices have not changed much but how they price is different. The crimp dies are priced separate now and run 250 to 500 per set and a good crimper that will do up to 1/2 inch is about 2600 so you'd spend around 4000 for a good set with out supplies. 

[Ron Wenrich]

We've always found that real cold weather will take out any hose that has a weak spot.  We had a mill that had reusable fittings, but we had to use a certain type of hose or the casing would be to thin to hold the fitting.  Don't know if that's still the case.

We have since gone to buying our own equipment to make our own hoses.  We run a lot of hydraulics with all the log loaders, lifts, firewood processor, and the mill.  We usually have hoses made in advance for those that break the most frequent.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Here's a short video of pressing a fitting:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmBRGnSdv_s
The crimper here is $2600.  http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/D165_Compact_Hose_Crimper_p/d165.htm
At $45 a hose where materials cost $20 I would break even after a hundred hoses or so.   >:( >:( >:(   Wondering if there is an inexpensive alternative for someone having just one or two types of fittings to do this with a manually operated machine.

[rockman]

 Dennis, If you seriously are looking for hose making equipment, the stuff can be had used for pennies on the dollar. Since the economic down turn alot of repair shops, construction companies etc. have folded as you know, many of them had hose making capabilities. What you need to do is find a hydraulic hose fitting distributor for your area, Aeroquip etc. they will hook you up with a previously owned machine.
Good Luck,
   Kevin

[Al_Smith]

Just a side note on general hydraulics .I have the Parker  Hannifin service manuals on pumps devices  etc .

It points out longgevity  issues relating to operating pressures .I think the trend these days seems to be higher pressures and smaller components .

Stuff designed for example for the automobile industry  in the 60's used massive components and high volume pumps ran at lower pressures and they would literaly go decades with low failure rates .For example they used 3000 PSI components ran on 600 PSI .

Probabley do to the trend of building machinery with an expectant service life of 10 years as oppossed to older being 30 years has caused the movement to go this way .Cost,ya know .

BTW my home made splitter uses a Parker super duty 5 inch cylinder rated at 4500 PSI which is ran at 1900 .It should out last me . ;)

[Tom L]

I got this one from MacMaster Carr back in 2002.


I have a whole drawer full of those thing that I picked up in an auction, they come in very handy. I just keep several lengths of hose around and if something breaks it is an easy fix to make them up myself.

[Corley5]

  I bought a Dayco, now Parker, hose machine several years ago with a large assortment of fittings and hose.  I got it on E-bay and went to Southfield, Mi to get it.  Best piece of equipment I ever bought.  It's paid for itself many times over  8)  I can do hose from 1/4" to 1 1/4".  The big mark up in custom hoses comes with the assembly.  I've bought the fittings and length of hose I needed and pressed them my self and saved about half over having the shop press it.  In just the last three days I've made three 36" 1/2" hoses with #10 JIC female on both ends for the forwarder, three 1/2" hoses one 24", one 36" and one 48" with #8 JIC female fittings for the harvester/processor.  I made up two 3/4" hoses for the firewood processor a week ago.  It's pretty DanG convenient  8) 8) 8)  I can get fittings and hose from a local supplier just as cheap as I can online and keep a selection of NPT, and JIC on hand along with a variety of adapters.  If you only need a couple hoses a year owning your own hose press probably isn't worth it but if you've got machines with lots of hoses they are more than worth it