Can I reuse my old hydraulic hose and just reattach new fittings?

This question arises often. Sometimes maintenance personnel tries to save money and “fix” a problem fitting by keeping the same hydraulic hose and switching out the fitting.

This situation is never recommended, not by system designers, nor hose manufacturers, nor by fittings companies. It’s a recipe for trouble, and likely for a workplace injury.

If you absolutely have to get by, and it’s in a situation where, it could be somebody’s personal safety that’s at risk if you don’t have a machine up and running, maybe this is a stopgap measure. There could be a load that’s stuck somewhere or has to be moved to make sure that other people can work safely. If you have to absolutely have to and you had a reusable fittings, or you had the crimping equipment and you don’t have that particular hose in stock to make a whole new hose, make sure it’s short term, make sure you’re safe and make sure you do as well as possible, given the resources you have. Otherwise, you should would avoid this. If at all possible, get a new hose made. You’ll be happy about it … you’re never gonna regret it because in five or 10 years from now, when that hose is still working and not going cause you any trouble, it will be nice to have one less problem.