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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Drouin Vic
    Posts
    633

    Default What's an economical way to go about new hydraulic hoses?

    I'm at the stage with my grapple build where I need to fit it up with hoses and I'm hoping some of you fellas with more experience than me in this area can advise me on a way to go about plumbing the hydraulics that is going to make efficient use of my hard-earned cash. When I rebuilt the loader on my tractor, I had a mobile hose van bloke come to me and fit it up and it cost me twice what he had estimated which was already too much. The grapple is going to need elbows and tees and connectors and it's all got to be threaded through SHS with bulkhead fittings to bring it out to the supply. Would I be best to take it to somewhere where I can walk back and forth from the counter until I have everything I need and then get them to crimp it up (I can see people getting impatient with that), or to give it to an Enzed shop or something? Buy lengths of hose and field-installed fittings?? Any advice is welcome as I know this could cost hundreds more than necessary if I go about it unwisely.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Age
    67
    Posts
    362

    Default

    I`d take it to a shop. A half decent shop you will find that one of the guy`s there will come out and give you a hand in sorting out what you need and not charge you for their time.
    If they are not going to be helpful then go to another shop.

    Tony

    PS don`t try and go too cheap on the hydraulics. Nothing worse than putting all the time and effort into what you have done only to be let down by some cheap hose or fittings.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Posts
    292

    Default

    I think you should find out what brands of fittings your chosen shop has and study their catalogues until you figure out what you need and the sizes of the holes you need to make. Then you can make a list and buy the fittings. Fit all the hardware and then measure up for the hoses and have them made. You could take it there with the attached fittings on so they can confirm the lengths before they make them in case you haven't allowed enough or have too much slack. Keep a record, a parts list, for yourself in case you ever need another hose or fitting.

    Pete

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    Not knowing what businesses charge your way for hydraulic fittings hard to advice what to do. Where I am everything is expensive because of the mining industry being wealthy. So now I buy reusable fittings and hose and make my own from https://www.hydraulic.online/

    I would choose a hose size, most likely 3/8 and then choose the JIC size that works with that (9/16") and go from there. The ram you use will most likely have a BSP thread in it that will need an O ring type fitting.

    Simple hydraulic work is pretty simple.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    I got most of my hydraulic bits for my press build from Hydraulic.online.
    They also do full hose assemblies - you just specify length and fittings.

    The thing that always catches me out is not getting it 100% right when I make the order. I usually repeat that a couple of times before I finally have all the bits I need

    As RC said the first thing is deciding what size hose you are going to use. Apart from the flow side that will determine what bend radius you can get out of them physically.

    If you're going to go down the online route - I'd suggest you plan on at least 2 orders from the start.
    Here's what I'd do in hindsight:
    Sketch out your hydraulic schematic on paper, and identify each connection with the fitting/s required, and make up a parts list with quantities.
    Add all the fittings that aren't part of a hose assy to the first order list.
    If there are hoses that you are confident of length and fittings, then add those to the first order list
    For the others that you sort of need to test fit to work out length as it depends on bends etc - you're going to need a length of the correct diameter hose. Hopefully you've already got suitable longish hose in your first order list, otherwise earmark one, have your best crack at the length and add it to the list.

    Order all the first list of stuff, and use the test hose to work out the lengths of the remaining hoses for the second order, and add all the things that you forgot in the first one

    Steve

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vic
    Age
    48
    Posts
    544

    Default

    Hi Peter,

    I used Pirtek in the past, they can make the hoses for you. Maybe you can find the branch closer to where you are? If not try this place below.

    902 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171
    (03) 9562 3422

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Bend your own hardline where possible, keep the flex to a minimum. Hardline and flare fittings are a lot cheaper, and more robust.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Having experienced eye-watering prices for having hoses made up at the local hydraulic franchise, I've since used field attachable fittings where appropriate, or, when I did the hydraulics for my mulch spreader, ordered them from Flowfit in the UK - https://www.flowfitonline.com/ - they have an online hose spec tool which will give you the price. Even with the cost of freight from the UK, it came out a lot cheaper than the local option (I got the hoses and a bunch of other stuff such as spool valves, flow dividers and a ram or two).

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Drouin Vic
    Posts
    633

    Default

    Thanks very much for all those replies, just got home after a long day but I'll look into those options tomorrow. I don't think I'm going to be able to use hard line anywhere on the grapple but will give that some consideration also; the online catalogues will help me figure out what is available.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by racingtadpole View Post
    Bend your own hardline where possible, keep the flex to a minimum. Hardline and flare fittings are a lot cheaper, and more robust.
    Where do you get the tube and fittings from? One of the big hydraulic mobs like Pirtek or Enzed etc, or is it more of an industrial supplies thing?

    Steve

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Any hydraulic supplier will sell you the tube and fittings. Tube can also be had from specialty metal places like Bohler. You don’t necessarily need a 37deg flare tool unless you specifically want to own one, tube nuts with female inserts are readily available and only marginally more costly than a regular tube nut.
    Wherever possible, use JIC, it is simply superior to everything else in just about every way possible. Not that I do masses of hydraulic but when I do I adapt everything to JIC and use JIC for all the hoses and hardline. When adapting use O-rings where possible, and if space permits use dowty washers in preference to a plain o-ring.
    Hardline run properly also looks way more pro.

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