Can I jury-rig hose

[tcreeley]

I've had a mini backhoe from Northern Tool since 1990 (smaller than the one they sell now). It has worked well- ditches etc.. I replaced the 5 hp motor with an 8 hp Tecumseh. The 1.5 oil pump was replaced with a 2 stage 11gpm pump. I've split and twisted the leg support frame and had that re-welded. I snagged a hose and tore it ditching through trees and brush once. Today, after just replacing the carb and gas tank, it caught on the first choke pull, and ran strong on the next pull. It was outside all this time, and the weeds were thick as anything. I got it out, but then one of the hoses at the connection to the cylinder burst a nice leak. I'll probably go get another hose tomorrow.
But looking at the other hoses, they look a bit rough too at the cylinder connections. I have an old piece of hose. Has anyone ever jury-rigged a splice?
Or is there a coupler connection you can buy to join two pieces of hose?
I think I am going to run into some problems and I'd like to know my options and finish what I'm doing before running off for replacements!

 

[RickB]

The hoses are over 20 years old and apparently have sat outside most if not all that time. Replace them, either all at once, or as needed. But replace them. Splicing 20 year old low-end hydraulic hose is a fool's errand.

 

[kennyd]

Fluid squirting at 2000+ PSI is nothing to play with. Either fix it correctly or scrap it.

 

[J_J]

If you took the hose to a hyd shop, they probably would not attempt to fix your hose. There might even be a splice kit to fix certain hoses, but you would have to find the correct fittings to your old hose.

Best fix is to purchase a new hose for the one that split. You can purchase ready made or custom order for your splitter.

 

[Egon]

How much does new hose cost?:thumbsup:

 

[turnkey4099]

How much does new hose cost?:thumbsup:

If that is a serious question. How much? Way more than one expects. I about had a heart attack when I bought them for my homemade splitter.

Harry K

 

[tcreeley]

It is nice to do things the right way, but sometimes that's too costly. The trick is to figure where the short cuts are reasonable. I met a man once who mounted his back hoe on the back of his truck. He also had an old tractor with the engine replaced with a 4 cyl car motor, transmission too. He had a lot of gear combinations. I knew a high school student who rigged up his John Deere pto to his truck body trailer differential to make a woods trailer for the snow and mud.

Sometimes it is nice to see a little less chrome and a little more purpose.

 

[2458n]

Sometimes it is easier to see if you have not lost a eye to a high pressure hydraulic leak!

 

[tcreeley]

I like that! Good reason too.

 

[dfkrug]

The trick is to figure where the short cuts are reasonable.

Here is a reasonable shortcut for you: buy standard-length pre-made
hoses, rather than going to your local hose shop for custom-made. Do
you know that you can buy a 30" long 1/4" hose for $10 from Surplus
Center? Buy all new hoses at one time and save on shipping. So what
if some of them will be a little too long.

 

[mjncad]

Fluid squirting at 2000+ PSI is nothing to play with. Either fix it correctly or scrap it.

Ditto! Replacing the hoses is way cheaper and less painful than hospital and doctors' bills, even if you have insurance.

 

[kennyd]

Here is another option, make your own: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/158654-re-usable-hydraulic-hose-fitting.html

 

[turnkey4099]

Then there are scrap yards. Should be able to find used hoses that appear to be still serviceable.

Harry K

 

[Soundguy]

i'd replace the burst one.. then assuming same sized fittings used all over ( hopefully).. biuy one more generic long hose with useable ends and keep it in a black trash bag to keep it clean and out of the uv light. that's your backup hose. keep that and a quart of hyd oil tucked into a tool box somewhere with the wrenches needed to change it in the field.

that way if a hose pops again while working, change out hose, top off oil and get back to work.

soundguy

 

[tcreeley]

kennyd:

That helps alot. Good thread and instructions. What I was looking for. Good alternative.

 

[tcreeley]

I went to tractor supply. Helpful guy but he didn't know his product line. Went to an industry supply place, they were out of stock on fittings, was sent to a place up the road. Ten minutes, I had a 3/8 hose with the right fittings. Drove home (45min), put it on -moved my backhoe 35 feet, and another hose blew. I went back- walked in 20 min before closing. He made me 3 hoses and ordered the fittings he was out of from another of their stores (out of state). Said to come back tomorrow to pick up the hoses. I asked him what I owed for the 3 in my hand- he said just take them, we'll write up an invoice for everything tomorrow. I walked out with the hoses and put them on my backhoe and worked until dark. - putting 16" culverts in my drainage ditches so I can get around with the tractor and horses. I am always impressed by the courtesy of local Maine people- moved up here from Massachusetts in '84. I think there is something special to a rural area.

 

[J_J]

Don't grin so big, until you get the invoice. Let us know the total cost.

I believe I would install/tee in a hyd gage in the system while you are changing hoses.

 

[DJNebraska]

Beware people. This is what can happen if you try to fix a hose by "Jerry-rigging" (fixing to something other than the manufacturers specifications).

 

[Kernopelli]

Beware people. This is what can happen if you try to fix a hose by "Jerry-rigging" (fixing to something other than the manufacturers specifications).

In '82 my appendix ruptured and the guy that shared my hospital room was being treated for having hydraulic fluid shot into his hand from a leaking hose....and that is just about what his looked like. I was there for 9 days... he was there when I got there and there when I left. Nasty stuff.

 

[J_J]

That injury was actually a hyd impact wrench hose that burst at the fitting. You can see the hole where the jet of fluid pierced his hand. They actually saved this guys hand. The jet of fluid did not do all that damage. A lot of the missing flesh is where they had to remove flesh saturated with hyd fluid.