Signs You Need to Replace Your Hydraulic Hose

With a hydraulic system in play, a hydraulic hose failure could ultimately damage your system as well as endanger your employees. You have no designated time when you should replace your hydraulic hose since rubber wears out for different reasons and in different ways. The best way to ensure your hydraulic hose does not wholly fail is to frequently inspect and replace it as necessary.

Discover some signs that tell you to replace your hydraulic hose.

Crushed Hoses 

Hydraulic hoses bend up to a certain angle for full service. When the rubber for the manufacture of the hose wears out or weakens, the hose may crash, leading to a buildup of pressure inside. Pressure buildup in a hydraulic hose is often dangerous, which means that when you notice it, you need to replace the hose.

Failing to take necessary action on a crushed hose could lead to a damaged hydraulic system or a negligence lawsuit if an employee receives an injury.

Exposed Wires

Part of ensuring that hydraulic hoses serve their purpose effectively and for a long time is reinforcing the rubber with wires. With time, either due to wearing out or other environmental factors such as temperature, the rubber might tear away, exposing the wires. Exposed wires on a hydraulic hose mean that the hose's integrity is usually compromised and needs replacement.

When you notice wires on the surface of the hydraulic hose on any of your inspections, arrange to replace it. Again, leaving such compromised hoses unattended could be disastrous.

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Oil Leaks Around the Fitting of The Hose

Urgently attend to a hose leaking oil. Contact a professional to assess the condition of the hose assembly in case it needs complete replacement. A leaking hose is uneconomical as it leaks hydraulic fluids that would have otherwise served you for a while.

The consequences of operating a hydraulic system that has less or no hydraulic fluid at all can be bad. Therefore, get a professional to look at the leaking points and direct you on the best approach.

Abrasions or Cuts Along the Outer Hose Cover

A hydraulic hose should not have cuts and abrasions on its surface. If you notice that your hose has weird scratches on the outer cover, have a professional check and possibly replace it.

You often have some normal scratches, especially if your hydraulic system works in rough areas. Such minute scratches should not be a worry. However, deep cuts can lead to hose failure and other problems if you do not address the cuts in time.

Cracked Fittings

When you come across cracked fittings, replace the hydraulic hose assemblies, especially if red rust is present. While broken fittings might lead to expensive hydraulic fluid loss and potential damage to the hydraulic system, red rust shows that the fittings have corrosion.

Corroded metal is usually fragile and, if not replaced, could lead to further corrosion, damaging the hydraulic system and potentially endangering employees. When inspecting your hydraulic system, make sure to note where the red rust is present and address it as soon as possible. 

Whether or not you use them, hydraulic hoses will eventually wear out. The good news is that a failing hose will usually have one or a few of the signs above before ultimately failing. Regular inspections ensure that you find the discussed signs on time and conduct preventive maintenance if necessary.