By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor There are three ways to plumb a hydraulic system — rigid systems, flexible systems or a combination of the two. Rigid systems include pipe and various forms of tube, while flexible systems are assembled using only hydraulic hose. Most machines today are created using a combination of fixed plumbing, where […]
Featured
Continental launches X-Life XCP5 premium flexible braided hydraulic hose
Continental today announced the X-LifeTM XCP5 hose, a new flexible braided hose for high-pressure hydraulic applications requiring extra abrasion resistance. The hose is part of the company’s initiative to offer a premium braided hose portfolio that is also ISO 18752 compliant. The new X-Life XCP5 is designed as a premium hose with braided construction for […]
Where and when should you use wire-reinforced hose?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses come in many sizes and designs, and the expression of each design is a result of the purpose of that hose. Generally, there are three common locations where a hose is used in a hydraulic system: suction lines, working lines and return lines. Each location has its own […]
Polyethylene versus nylon tubing — who wins the pressure war?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the bustling battlefield of pneumatic systems’ hose and tubing, two contenders stand ready for combat: polyethylene and nylon tubing. Armed with unique strengths and weaknesses, they prepare to face off in the high-pressure war, so let’s dive into this skirmish and see who emerges victorious. Round 1: The Durability […]
How to ensure proper hydraulic fitting assembly
Contributed by Gary Molton • BSc, Owner, Engineering Adventures Poor assembly or using the wrong type of fluid power fitting has been shown to increase risk of fluid leakage and industrial injury. Fitting designs have changed considerably over the last 30 years to reduce these risks but this has resulted in a myriad of assembly […]
When to use (or not use) BSPT fittings?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’re not terribly familiar with hydraulic fittings, you may think BSPT is a typo. Is it supposed to be BSPP (British Standard Pipe Parallel) or perhaps NPT (National Pipe Thread)? No, it’s not a typo – we’re actually talking about British Standard Pipe Taper, which is the version of […]
Four tips and strategies to ensure hydraulic health and safety
Hydraulic machinery has a crucial role to play in many facets of modern society. From transport to construction, marine and shipping or food processing, machinery powered by hydraulics acts as the backbone to getting jobs done efficiently and repeatedly. The HSE reported that 561,000 people in 2022/23 sustained an injury in the workplace, and given […]
Holmbury grows with expanded lab and office space
Holmbury Inc. recently hosted an open house, to highlight the growth the company has made in the past several years at its U.S. headquarters in Eastlake, Ohio. The manufacturer of flat face couplings has nearly doubled its space, expanding with two extra suites to the south and north of its original space. In the southern […]
What are the common hydraulic hose specification standards?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We tend to walk through life enjoying what seems to be infinite consumer and commercial goods without consideration for the vast technological achievements that led to their existence. Every new technology rides on the shoulders of a previous advancement in either materials, construction, technology, or process. Very little in our […]
Continental launches smart crimper, renewed focus on industrial division at NAHAD
At NAHAD last week, Continental officially launched its newest crimper, the PC160i with CrimpIQ PRO Technology. The bench-top 1 ¼ in. crimper features state-of-the-art technology to make hose crimping quick and easy. Laszlo Dobo, Head of Product Management – Hydraulic Solutions, noted that the original smart crimper from Continental was launched in 2018, and over […]
