Hydraulic line wear

[TheMan419]

As detailed in the attached picture I am seeing wear in the hydraulic lines. These are the lines that control the FEL.

Tractor is about 5 years old. Has 430 hours on it. I bought it new so all the hours are mine.

I bought some nylon protective hose covering which I will fit over those hoses.

Should I be worried and replace them? On at least one of them it appears it has worn through the rubber coating and some metal is exposed.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Peter 315]

Just keep a eye on them , The covering is just going to wear a hole in it if the hoses keep moving and hitting the bracket....

 

[Peter 315]

Did you look at this type of hose protector, works good ...Amazon.com: Pre-Cut Spiral Wrap Hose Protector, 1." OD, 25' Length, Black: Industrial & Scientific

 

[Gordon Gould]

I can't see the whole thing but I think I might be temped to replace that bracket with a set of clamps so the hoses flex in the bend below instead of sliding in the bracket where they are abraded away. Or maybe put a smoothed curved surface like a half pipe on the bottom of the bracket. If you just replace the hose it will just happen again. Maybe just making them longer will do it.

That spiral wrap is good stuff but on a sharp edge like that the spirals might separate ????

gg

 

[crashz]

It looks like some significant wear, I would be concerned as well.

The hoses will jump and move slightly when subject to pressure changes. Seems like a bad place to put a sharp edge. See if you can find some large heater hose or something to wrap those lines.

 

[dlctcg]

I agrees I would watch those hoses...

You could look at getting a piece of Raceway Drop Radius & cutting it the correct width to fit inside that bracket, then just bolt it in... It would give the hoses a smooth radius to ride on. Almost all the the Drop Radius piece are 8 - 12" long so you could just cut it to size; they are usually pretty heavy aluminum so they will cut easy & not rust...

Pic of what I'm referring to...



Any Electrical / Data Supply house will sell them or of course on-line.... even ebay...

121-712 Chatsworth Cable Runway 11” Radius Drop, New in Box, Free Shipping 121712 | eBay

 

[polarred21]

I worked in a production plant for 16 years building mobile hydraulic equipment and that metal edge would get a piece of 3/4" heater hose split and tie wrapped on as a softener and/or added spiral wrap to the affected area of hose.

 

[BlueKnife]

Thanks for any advice!

View attachment 642693

Looks like that bracket can be unbolted pretty easily? If so, I'd take it off and weld a piece of round tube over that edge where the hoses are rubbing, then put a cover on the hoses.

 

[mike48130]

They sell edge wrap for things like this, we use it all the time on vehicles. I never cared for the spiral wrap, I think the convolute or mesh is better.

Here is an example, but you probably don't need 25'

Amazon.com: Trim-Lok Rubber-Lok – Fits 1/4” Edge, 17/32” Leg Length, 25’ Length, Black, Sand Texture – Flexible PVC/Aluminum Edge Trim for a Secure Grip – Edge Protector for Sharp/Rough Surfaces, Easy to Install: Industrial & Scientific

 

[TheMan419]

They sell edge wrap for things like this, we use it all the time on vehicles. I never cared for the spiral wrap, I think the convolute or mesh is better.

Here is an example, but you probably don't need 25'

Amazon.com: Trim-Lok Rubber-Lok – Fits 1/4” Edge, 17/32” Leg Length, 25’ Length, Black, Sand Texture – Flexible PVC/Aluminum Edge Trim for a Secure Grip – Edge Protector for Sharp/Rough Surfaces, Easy to Install: Industrial & Scientific

That looks similar to the heater tube someone else suggested. I ordered
Amazon.com: Electriduct 1" Nylon Protective Hose Sleeve - 1 Feet - Black: Home Improvement

I was thinking encase the line in this. This will rub on the bracket rather than the line. If I did that AND the heater tube or trim that you suggest it would seem to be a good solution no?

 

[mike48130]

I think Fastenal sells the trim, maybe by the foot. It has metal spikes, so it does not come off, like the shark bite plumbing fittings.

Yes, both will solve the issue.

By the way, next time you can buy the sleeve in the larger diameter, cut it up the centerline and wrap it around more than a complete 360 then zip tie or tape the 2 ends and it won't move. Then you don't have to disconnect the hydraulic lines. Just a friendly tip. And maybe hit the ends with a lighter so they don't fray.

I have seen sharp edged fall in between the spirals of the spiral wrap, that is why I don't use it. It is good for when the line is parallel to the contact points.

 

[TheMan419]

Thanks Mike. I saw the bigger stuff but did not think of that solution. I値l just do each line individually. Yes need to hit the ends w a lighter to stop any fraying.

Sad that a $1 part would have solved this from the factory.....

 

[oosik]

A couple years ago I saw the beginning of some "chafing" on the hydraulic hoses running to the grapple. I went to our local hydraulics store - House of Hose - and got heavy duty nylon spiral wound hose wrap. I wrapped the hoses to the grapple and the hoses to the rear blade.

Installation was a b**ch. Initially getting that spiral wound to open so it could be fitted over the hydraulic hose. Once you get it going - its not so bad. See the spiral wound on the hoses hanging off the bungee cord.

View attachment 642806

 

[TheMan419]

A couple years ago I saw the beginning of some "chafing" on the hydraulic hoses running to the grapple. I went to our local hydraulics store - House of Hose - and got heavy duty nylon spiral wound hose wrap. I wrapped the hoses to the grapple and the hoses to the rear blade.

Installation was a b**ch. Initially getting that spiral wound to open so it could be fitted over the hydraulic hose. Once you get it going - its not so bad. See the spiral wound on the hoses hanging off the bungee cord.

View attachment 642806

Yeah I bet that was a bear to install. Saw a similar product on Amazon when I was looking about. The nylon sleeve that I got seems like an easier installation which is why I went that route. I'll get to putting it on over the weekend when I have a bit of time. The day job is kicking my butt right now, getting in the way of playing with the tractor.

 

[mike48130]

Sad that a $1 part would have solved this from the factory.....

Usually the case.

 

[oosik]

I've seen much more comprehensive "hose protection" on the industrial grade tele handlers. I think it depends upon user feedback and design engineers & their field experience.

 

[mcfarmall]

Looks like that bracket can be unbolted pretty easily? If so, I'd take it off and weld a piece of round tube over that edge where the hoses are rubbing, then put a cover on the hoses.

I like Blue's idea. That bracket is a pi$$ poor design!

 

[CobyRupert]

Can't you just give it 5-6 wraps with some electrical tape and be done in 30 seconds with materials you already have?
It took 5 years to rub some covering off the hoses.
In another five years when it rubs the first 2-3 layers of tape off, can't you just wrap it again?

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks Mike. I saw the bigger stuff but did not think of that solution. I値l just do each line individually. Yes need to hit the ends w a lighter to stop any fraying.

Sad that a $1 part would have solved this from the factory.....

The fix didn't even require a $1. The bracket just needed to be stamped longer so to not crowd the hoses. All it's for is to keep them from dangling and getting snagged.

I'm a believer in feedback to the manufacturer. Pics and details such as model, age, hrs on machine. You might be the guy that motivates the factory to remake that bracket. Course you'll get no credit. Probably not even acknowledgement. But that's okay.

 

[Threepoint]

Can't you just give it 5-6 wraps with some electrical tape and be done in 30 seconds with materials you already have?
It took 5 years to rub some covering off the hoses.
In another five years when it rubs the first 2-3 layers of tape off, can't you just wrap it again?

I agree with Coby that taping the abraded spots is a good solution for this. For several reasons: It will help protect against chafing, yes, but it will also reinforce the hoses where the metal braid is exposed. Neither the spiral polymer loom nor the fabric hose socks will do that. Plus, you can apply it without having to disconnect the hoses to slip on the socks.

However, rather than electrical tape, I would use a self-fusing silicone tape (Rescue Tape, or equivalent). Rescue Tape - The World's #1 Self-Fusing Silicone Tape

A 1" x 12' roll is about $10 online. It is co-adhesive (not adhesive) tape, so bonds permanently (and only) to itself into one solid unit. Very tough stuff, and there's no adhesive to break down in the summer heat like there is in electric tape or even Gorilla Tape. I've done this successfully on two worn hoses on my B2150 that would be difficult to replace without risking damage to the hard lines that they attach to.

To apply the tape, you'll need to remove the bracket over the hoses, so you can separate them enough to make the recommended five wraps.