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 […]
Hose Assembly Blog
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 […]
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 […]
Update from Parker Hannifin hose division at NAHAD
I caught up with Cody Sarmiento, Connector Technology Manager, Great Lakes Region for Parker Hannifin Corp on day two of NAHAD to learn more about where the focus is headed for the company’s hydraulic hose lines. Much of our discussion centered on the Critical Projection cover, which has added not only abrasion resistance but impact […]
Program aims to stop hose assembly leaks in their tracks
As most users of fluid power technologies know, one of the most vulnerable systems for leakage is within hose assemblies. This is not because hose, fittings, and couplings are poorly designed but, most often, the result of improper assembly design and maintenance. That’s why XonKen, a Chinese manufacturer of hydraulic hose and fittings, has developed […]
A primer on hydraulic hose bend radius
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hose bend radius, quite simply, describes how tightly circular a hydraulic hose can bend. More importantly, designers and technicians wish to know the minimum bend radius a hose handles while maintaining integrity. Although one might easily force a hose into a tight radius during installation, its design and construction […]
Safety tips for connecting and disconnecting hydraulic hose
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses are crucial in various fluid power industries, helping power heavy machinery and equipment by providing the very conduit through which hydraulic fluid flows. The integrity of these systems relies heavily on the proper connection and disconnection of hydraulic hoses, as mishandling hydraulic hoses can lead to severe accidents […]
How long should a hose last (and tips to extend service life)
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor How long a hydraulic hose should last depends on many factors, not the least of which is who you ask. Some standards want to see hoses changed every few years, yet others are okay up to ten years (such as with the SAE). But do we even need to apply […]
What are hydraulic couplers?
Hydraulic quick couplers are indispensable tools in various industries that rely on hydraulic systems. They play a crucial role in connecting and disconnecting hydraulic hoses and attachments swiftly and efficiently. These couplers provide a secure and leak-free connection, allowing for seamless fluid transfer in hydraulic systems. Typically made of durable materials like steel or brass, […]
What are metric hydraulic fittings and how do you specify them?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I vividly remember visiting my stepfather’s auto shop as a kid, where he’d worked on what was primarily American iron. Being the 80s, most vehicles were American-made, so his familiarity with imperial nuts, bolts and tools was understandable. When Japanese cars permeated the market, he was ill-prepared in both knowledge […]
