If you are interacting with heavy equipment on a daily basis, chances are you’re familiar with hydraulic pumps. After all, most farming equipment and other heavy machinery run on hydraulics.
When your hydraulic hose leaks, though, it can be a huge hassle, especially if you aren’t familiar with how to replace it.
You can always go the professional route and have someone replace the hose for you, but really, the job is more dirty than difficult. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and do the job yourself, you can save time and money.
So let’s look at the steps to replacing a hydraulic hose.
1. Find the Issue
Chances are, your heavy machinery has more than one hose, and it’s important to figure out exactly which one is damaged before you start taking things apart.
It may be obvious if the hose has actually burst, but if it’s just a leak, pick up some hydraulic leak detection fluid to help pinpoint the source of the leak.
2. Assess the Situation
You need to check for two things before you remove the fittings and hose.
First, determine exactly how many components are going to need to be removed for you to safely remove the troublesome hose.
Second, make sure to relieve the pressure from any components directly connected to the hose. This ensures you won’t get a face full of oil when you start removing pieces.
3. Safety First
Heavy machinery is called heavy for a reason. Make absolutely sure that any pieces controlled by the hose are lowered to the ground and can’t fall on you while you work.
You already have a leaky hose. You don’t need to be crushed to death as well.
4. Get Everything out of the Way
Heavy machinery can be a mass of fittings and couplings and attachments and clamps.
Make sure everything around the broken hose is removed so you have a clear view and a clear work area.
5. Loosen the Fittings
Now to get into the real business of removing the hose.
First thing is to loosen the fitting that attaches the hydraulic hose to your equipment. This might be the valve spool, the cylinder, or the coupling, so make sure you’re in the right place.
Also make sure that as you loosen, nothing but the fitting is turning.
6. Remove the Hose
Get that hose off. Don’t worry about cleaning it yet. We’ll get to that in a minute.
It is important to have a bucket handy at this point, though, because some oil will probably spill from both the coupling and the hose.
7. Plug the Fittings
To avoid more leaking oil while you are picking up a replacement hose, make sure you plug the fittings.
The best option here is a plug made for the specific fitting, but if you don’t have one handy, a clean rag will work. Your goal is just to make sure no dirt or debris finds its way into the machine.
8. Match the Hose
Now it’s time to take your hose down to your supplier or dealer and either order a replacement or have a new one made. Most dealerships do both.
Just make sure you clean the hose off. You don’t want to be handling and transporting something coated in oil if you don’t have to.
9. Install the New Hydraulic Hose
Once that new hose comes in, get it back on your equipment!
Make sure you’re using temporary plugs on the hydraulic hose itself to ensure everything stays clean during installation.
Replace the fittings, replace any clamps or guards you removed, and check the fluid levels. You’re ready to turn your equipment back on and see how good a job you did.
10. Check for Leaks
Fire up your equipment and check the area for leaks. If everything looks good, congratulations! You just replaced your own hydraulic hose!
If you need any additional help, feel free to get in touch with us.