At some point during the design and build of new equipment, the question arises of which hydraulic hose assembly to choose. The market offers numerous options in a wide range of price points. With seemingly endless hose and fittings options, how do you select the best product for your application?

Specifying the right hose

In general, there are five key steps to find the right hose for your machine:

1. Determine the media the hose will be conveying — Not all hoses are built to convey all media. Will the hose be moving oil? What type of oil? The media moving through the hose may interact with the material that makes up the inner tube of the hose. Considering the media from the outset will help you avoid any potential negative interactions.
2. Determine the pressure, size and any industry specifications required — Will the machine need to meet European standards (EN), International Standards Organization (ISO) requirements, or Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) guidelines? Many industry specifications have similarities, but if there are specific requirements your machine needs to meet, it’s important to be aware of that early. The pressure of the system and available space for a hose will of course impact your selection as well.
3. Determine the minimum and maximum operating temperatures — Just as not all hoses are built to convey all media, not all hoses are built to withstand the same temperatures – hot or cold. A hose designed to last in hot conditions may not be designed to do the same in freezing conditions. Knowing the operating temperature of the machine will help eliminate potential hoses at the outset.
4. Use the above information to determine the necessary hose reinforcement — This is a critical step – choosing a standard or premium amount of reinforcement. The media, pressure, size, specifications and temperature all feed into the choice of how much reinforcement your hose needs, as reinforcement will affect operating pressure, impulse life and bend radius of your hose. Too much, and you end up over-buying and can end up with a stronger hose that doesn’t bend as easily, forcing you to use more hose and space to make the product work. Too little, and your hose will not last as long as expected and may present safety risks to the end user.
5. Select a hose cover for additional security — The final step is selecting a hose cover. The hose selection itself may limit your cover choices – selecting a standard hose with standard reinforcement will generally present you with a standard cover option. If you need a premium cover, you may need to consider upgrading to premium tube or reinforcement options.

This content was provided by Eric Durrant, senior global product manager, Hydraulics Business, Eaton