How to Make Hydraulic Hoses With a Press
Making your own hydraulic hoses will save you money because you will do the work yourself and your machines won't be idle while you wait for a shop to make a hose. If you make more than 20 hoses a year, you should save enough to pay for a standard $350 hydraulic press in the first year. Making hydraulic hoses with a press is easier than you think. Most important is to know the exact measurements of the required fitting and hose. Other than that, the machine press does all the work.
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Things You'll Need
- Hydraulic hose
- Tape measure
- White china marker
- Hydraulic fitting
- Light machine oil
- Hydraulic press
- Hydraulic press dies
- Compression ring (for press)
- Micrometer
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of the required hydraulic hose. Be sure to include the length of the fitting on each end. For example, if you need a 24" hose with two 3" fittings, then you will want a 30" hose.
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2
Hold the fitting to the end of the hose and mark the hose where the base of the fitting should fall. Use a white china marker, as it is easy to mark the rubber and the mark is highly visible.
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3
Put a few drops of light machine oil on the inside of the crimp tube of the hydraulic fitting. This is the part of the fitting that will slide over the hose. The press will crimp the fitting to attach it to the hose so it cannot slide off. Twist the fitting onto the hose until the bottom of the crimp tube is lined up with the mark you made.
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4
Load the appropriate hydraulic press dies into your machine. Check your machine specifications to determine the correct die size. Press dies look like small wedges that fit into your press like pieces of pie. When they are all in place, there will be a hole in the center where you should place the hose and fitting.
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5
Feed the fitting and hose from underneath the machine through the center hole formed by the dies. Hold the hose in place so the spin nut and flare of the fitting are just above the dies. The entire crimp tube should be inside the die.
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6
Place the compression ring over the fitting and die and press it down until the die holds the hose and fitting in place. The machine will force the compression ring down onto the dies, closing the center hole to the correct size and crimping the fitting onto the hose. When the press is done, remove the compression ring and hose. Use a micrometer to measure the diameter of the crimped tube. Make sure that it matches exactly the required diameter of the hose. If it does not, discard the hose and try again.
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7
Blow compressed air through the hose to remove debris that may have fallen inside during the cutting and pressing process.
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Tips & Warnings
When you make a hose for one of your machines, go ahead and make two. Mark one with the machine name (e.g., Excavator #24) and store the hose. You can replace the hose immediately the next time, then make a new spare hose when you have time. This way you minimize lost work time.
Only trained personnel should operate a hydraulic press. Someone unfamiliar with the machine can sustain serious injury and may produce substandard hoses that will fail during use. Make sure that anyone operating the press is wearing the proper attire and personal safety equipment: no loose clothing, ties, jewelry or anything that could become caught in the press; and safety glasses and work gloves.
