If you use equipment that has a hydraulic system on it, replacing hoses or a fitting that gets damaged can be difficult unless you know exactly what you need. In some cases, the hoses or fittings are standard parts that are easy to find, and in other cases, they may be custom made and require a shop to reproduce them.
Buying the Right Hoses
If your equipment uses standard hoses and is commercially available to the public, the hoses are more than likely going to be available at any part store or through a hydraulic shop. The hoses that you are taking off the equipment may have a part number stamped on the outside that makes it easier to get the right replacement part.
Fittings may have a number stamped into the top of the fitting that identifies the diameter, the length and the thread pitch on the fitting. The parts store can use that number to find you the right replacement part without guessing and hoping it will work.
Custome Hoses and Fittings
Hoses are sometimes made to fit your application. There are a lot of reasons to do that, but the most common reason is that the equipment you need to hose for is a custom-built machine and does not have a standard hose available to do the job you need them to do.
Hydraulic shops are a good place to have these hoses made and in some cases, a local truck parts store or equipment service shop can male the hoses as well. If you are going to have a shop make the hoses you need, take the old ones in so the shop technician can measure the hoses for length and make sure they put the right fittings on the ends for you.
Cost of Hydraulic Hoses
The cost of the hoses you need can vary depending on the length of the hose, the material it is made out of, the pressure it will contain. The higher the pressure the hose needs to be, the more critical the construction and the higher the price is going to be. Hydraulic hoses are not a place you want to cut corners with your equipment so be prepared to pay a little more for the part to get a hose or fitting that is going to last longer and work better for you.
If you can get hoses with a warranty on them, the added cost may be important if the hose fails again.
