The short answer is “no.” Here’s why:
Mixing and matching components from different manufacturers is the traditional way of life for many industrial hose distributors and end-users, but this approach to making hose assemblies leaves fabricators and users open to greater liability than ever before.
The “right” components for safe, long-lasting hydraulic assemblies are couplings, hoses, and crimping equipment and accessories that are designed to work together. Tolerances vary from one manufacturer to another and are not interchangeable. Different components from different manufacturers can cause coupling retention to be adversely affected. Mixing and matching can lead to hoses bursting, couplings leaking and blown-off ends maiming or even killing workers.
Thread or flange ends must also be properly matched to their mating components to create leak-proof connections.
In addition to the dangers involved, mixing and matching brand names will void the manufacturer’s warranty and could also exclude manufacturers from liability should someone get injured from a failed hose assembly.
Hazen Arnold says
Hydraulic companies have done a great service to the end user by manufacturing and supporting “systems” that include hydraulic hose + fittings + testing. The repeatability and consistency is in the best interest of the users.
The industrial hose market is a different animal and may bear some discussion as to the challenges of industrial hose couplings.
Industrial hose by nature, isn’t as consistent of a product as hydraulic hose which is only one reason why there aren’t any industrial hose “systems.” It is quite common that a distributor buys industrial hose from one manufacturer and couplings and fittings from another manufacturer. Standards are in place for coupling these hoses, but the user should know that the “system” concept present in hydraulic assemblies is not available in all industrial assemblies.
Hazel Owens says
I hadn’t really thought of the dangers of mixing and matching different manufacturers’ components in a hydraulic system. I’m glad you pointed out that tolerances of hoses and fittings vary from one manufacturer to another. It might seem like a small thing, but it’s better to be safe and use one manufacturer for the whole system. Thanks for the article.