Hydraulic hose spiral wrap, explained

A guide to spiral wrap hose protectors

In this guide, we’ll help you understand spiral hose guards and spiral hose wrap, or as they’re also known as, hose protectors and spiral hose protectors.

What is spiral hose guard?

Spiral hose guard is critical to ensuring that your hydraulic and pneumatic hose assemblies perform to expected standards.

Consider what industrial hoses are up against. Hydraulic hose typically operates in demanding environments, where abrasion, crushing loads, UV rays, chemicals and flying debris present constant threats. The most common cause of damage results from hoses rubbing against each other.

If the hose fails, you’re looking at the cost of clean-up, disposal and replacing hydraulic oil. You also have to contend with the collateral damage to other components, which can also be caused by contaminants. And of course, machine downtime presents yet more costs.

All of these possibilities make hydraulic spiral wrap critical to your hose assemblies. Hose spiral wrap provides a physical barrier between the hose and these threats, prolonging the life of your hose and saving you the stress and expense caused by damage.

Before starting your project, we strongly recommend that you learn more about hose in our guide What are the components of a hydraulic hose assembly?

MULTI-SPRAIL HYDRAULIC HOSE SAE 100R13

Types of plastic hose protectors

Hose wraps are available in metal or plastic. This article focuses on wrap, but there are other types of protection available, which you can learn about in our guide Hydraulic hose protection to ensure safe designs and also A guide to hydraulic hose sleeves.

First, let’s look at the two most popular plastic wraps:

Spiral guard hose protector

Hydraulic hose protection wrap spirals around the hose and can be installed before or after the hose assembly is mounted.

Spiral hose guards are also helpful for bundling hydraulic hose for a clean appearance – as often done in automotive – while protecting the hose from punctures and abrasions.

Use for: Tractors, lifts and cranes, robotics, automated manufacturing

For heavier-duty applications, spiral wrap for hydraulic hoses with mining safety approval is also available. Fire-resistant anti-static (FRAS) hose spiral guard offers additional protection for more demanding applications.

Use for: Underground, such as mining, quarrying, drilling, offshore oil & gas construction, marine sub-sea and agriculture

Comparing spiral guard plastics

HDPE and PVC share many of the same characteristics, as seen below. Keep in mind that materials, whether metals or plastic, can be enhanced with additives to obtain higher levels of the properties you’re interested in.

Sizing spiral hydraulic hose wrap

To determine the size and the quantity needed is a straightforward process:

1. Determine the outside diameter (OD) of your hose or bundle.
2. Match the manufacturer’s hose wrap to the hose OD.