Preventive maintenance (PM) is crucial for hydraulic hose assemblies to ensure operational efficiency, safety, and longevity. In this article, we explore why PM is essential and offer practical tips on how to carry out effective maintenance for hydraulic hose assemblies. Preventive maintenance is not just a recommended practice but a necessity when it comes to hydraulic hose assemblies. By proactively maintaining these critical components, you can prevent unexpected downtime, safeguard operator safety, and ensure your machines perform optimally. Here’s why PM is vital and what steps you should take to maintain your hydraulic hose assemblies.
Why Preventive Maintenance Matters:
- Avoid Operational Downtime: Unscheduled machine downtime can halt operations, leading to significant losses. Regularly checking and maintaining hoses helps to identify potential issues before they cause a shutdown.
- Ensure Operator Safety: A failed hydraulic hose can lead to dangerous situations, including high-pressure fluid leaks that may cause injury. PM helps mitigate these risks by addressing wear and tear before it escalates.
- Maintain Reaction Time: Poor routing of hydraulic hose assemblies can slow down the machine’s reaction time. Proper maintenance ensures hoses are routed correctly, maintaining the machine’s responsiveness.
Key Maintenance Steps:
- Check Hose Routing: Ensure hydraulic hoses are routed according to SAE J1273 guidelines to avoid unnecessary stress or damage during operation.
- Verify Torque of Terminations: Check that all hose assembly terminations are torqued correctly to avoid leaks or disconnections. Refer to pages 446-447 in the latest Continental Hydraulic Catalog for the recommended torque specifications.
- Inspect Hose Body: Regularly inspect the hose body for signs of kinking, stretching, pinholes, or worn areas. Remember, abrasion is the leading cause of hose failure.
- Verify Fluid Type: Ensure the hydraulic fluid in use meets the equipment manufacturer’s guidelines. If an incorrect fluid type has been used, replace it and check all polymeric components for damage.
What to Do:
- Re-route and Replace Hoses: If no damage is found, re-route hoses according to recommended guidelines. If damage is identified, replace the hose assembly immediately.
- Correct Torque Application: Adjust all terminations to the correct torque range as specified by the manufacturer.
- Replace Damaged Hoses: If you find any signs of damage, such as kinking or pinholes, replace the hose assembly promptly.
- Switch Fluid Types: If the wrong fluid has been used, switch to the correct fluid and replace all affected hose assemblies and related components.
- Utilize Traceability: Leverage tools like CrimpCloud® to ensure all hose assemblies are properly tracked and maintained for future reference.
By following these preventive maintenance steps, you can ensure the safety and reliability of your hydraulic hose assemblies, keeping your operations running smoothly and your team safe.
For more information, visit Continental’s website or contact our support team at 800.235.4632.