It Is Always Safety First When Using Hydraulic Hose Assemblies

By Arline Bradley


Hydraulic hoses differ from standard rubber hoses in the fact that they have a braided stainless steel sleeve within the outer sheath. This means that the hose can cope with much higher pressures. They also make use of couplings that are crimped on to ensure that there are no weaknesses in the system when they are in use.

It is very important that these assemblies can be decoupled extremely quickly, thereby allowing them to be changed without the loss of air pressure within the system. Hydraulic hose assemblies can be found in the construction industry; where they are used on various types of machinery. The fact that they are quickly interchangeable means that little time is lost when switching the system between the different tools.

It is very important therefore, that the technology behind the fittings can meet the ever-increasing demands and challenges required of it. This is due to the sophisticated equipment that is being used to meet the requirements of the users. To supplement the strength the longer hoses have by having re-enforced outer sleeves, it is common practice to insert a Teflon tube inside a hose, towards the center of the length.

Hydraulic hoses, due to the reinforcement of the outer sheath are a lot heavier, stiffer and sturdier than a standard hose. As well as being designed to withstand high pressures there is also a requirement for them to be able to withstand high temperatures. This is because heat will be generated during the action of pumping hydraulic fluid, drilling and operating tools such jack-hammers.

It is not uncommon to find cooling system is also built into these assemblies. But these bring problems of their own as the cooling fluid could possibly reach very high temperatures as well. This means that it is extremely important that a safety inspection takes place before any new assembly goes into operation.

The manufacturers of hydraulic systems are always coming up with new ways to develop products that are stronger and more flexible. Their manufacturing processes are making the best use they can of modern techniques and new materials in order to meet the new challenges they are required to face. There are some poses now that have a double reinforcement, this been achieved by placing a synthetic rubber cover over the outer sheath.

The complete assembly is made up of the the hose and the fittings. To ensure that it all fits together securely, and in a manner that it will work efficiently, the assembly must be done by a specially trained professional. They will be practiced in the correct way to complete the assembly so as to avoid a situation where the fittings become disconnected from the hose whilst in operation and causing a serious injury to a user.

They can never be stressed too highly that these assemblies are extremely dangerous if operated by personnel who have not been trained in their correct use. However, equal importance should be placed on protecting these hoses when in use, and this can be done by minimising the range that they operate over. This will increase their operational life, and the specifications to help you can be found in guidelines set down by the industry's governing body.




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