Grapple hose protection

[turkish]

After 30 minutes of using my new EA grapple on my MX5800, I learned the importance of more diligence in hose protection, routing, and security.

Is there a consensus standard on hose protection? I see lots of wraps on Amazon. Are they created equal? Is a nylon sheath under the spiral wrap helpful?What diameter do I even need for twin 3/8” hoses? I assume I’ll want to wrap them together. Thanks for any advice!

 

[dicktill]

After 30 minutes of using my new EA grapple on my MX5800, I learned the importance of more diligence in hose protection, routing, and security.

Is there a consensus standard on hose protection? I see lots of wraps on Amazon. Are they created equal? Is a nylon sheath under the spiral wrap helpful?What diameter do I even need for twin 3/8” hoses? I assume I’ll want to wrap them together. Thanks for any advice!

Hose wrap from @kennyd (BoltOn Hooks): Dura-Wrap© Sleeving - BoltOnHooks LLC

 

[Seven Gables]

After 30 minutes of using my new EA grapple on my MX5800, I learned the importance of more diligence in hose protection, routing, and security.

Is there a consensus standard on hose protection? I see lots of wraps on Amazon. Are they created equal? Is a nylon sheath under the spiral wrap helpful?What diameter do I even need for twin 3/8” hoses? I assume I’ll want to wrap them together. Thanks for any advice!

If you could post some pictures of your setup would make it easier to give some suggestions. The nylon sheath is great for preventing abrasions but I’m guessing you’re issue was more of a hose getting snagged problem?

 

[Rockbadchild]

I have wrap them individually and welded some round bars bend in a C shape to run the hoses in along the loader frame.

 

[turkish]

If you could post some pictures of your setup would make it easier to give some suggestions. The nylon sheath is great for preventing abrasions but I’m guessing you’re issue was more of a hose getting snagged problem?

Hose got pushed over behind the bottom of the loader end, so that when I tilted, it pinched the hose against the frame. With my frustration, I admittedly did a bad job of assessing the scene. Gonna try a nylon sleeve with HDPE spiral wrap and some zip ties.

 

[jjeff]

When I had my 326 ss Hung hoses off a front tube I bent and welded on top of grapples qa plate . Bought some semi trailer hose hangers to hang off top of bent tube it worked great kind of to my surprise never again pinched a hydraulic hose nor did I always have to be looking where the hoses might end up. did it for tree puller attachment, stump bucket with grapple also. It was pretty simple if you have the capability to bend tube and weld. Rattle canned them black to match attachments Not the prettiest but super functional and I offered to cut tube off attachments when I eventually sold them. I guess the buyers saw the functionality of them and kept them on. These are all the pics I could find like I said though this was a hose saving game changer. For me anyway. Plus it added a little bit of protection from roots and limbs springing back in the open operator station.

 

[jwmorris]

I stuffed the pair of hoses inside a radiator hose, where they are vulnerable.

 

[rockinbbar]

I engineered a spring that attaches to the hoses, and pulls them out of harms way, but still allows for the attachment to be used freely.

Also pay attention to your hose length. Hoses that are too long for what's needed only self destruct if too much slack is placing areas of the hoses in the way of what harms them.

I put that spring system on my grapple and on my Intimidator puller. Has saved me thousands of dollars worth of new hoses.

Later, I'll try and get some photos.

 

[TORQUIN]

If your hoses have nothing on them, I highly recommend getting protective hose sleeves to put on them all. Besides the abrasion resistance, they protect the hoses from UV light, which is the second biggest danger to hydraulic hoses, in my opinion. I removed each hose on my Kubota and put this sleeve on them. Once you have them protected, you just have to zip tie, or make metal brackets to hold the hoses out of the way while still allowed them necessary slack when using the implements. I made some channel (didn't have the right width on hand), cut into 1.5" pieces, then drilled a hole in the channel and the loader arm to hold my hoses in place. Bolt is in the center, between the hoses.
If you have a situation where you must have a lot of slack, the spring idea for the hoses, like Rockinbbar mentioned, is a good one.

Nylon sleeve I got:

Amazon.com

Chris

 

[Alan W.]

When my son built a grapple and a tree puller for our skid steer he ordered springs that were designed to hold hoses in a safe position and still allow the necessary movement needed for operation.

 

[bdhsfz6]

The problems I have are mostly from getting the hoses caught on something. I've had good luck using bungees to hold the hoses out of the way. I also swapped out the flat face couplers with Pioneer couplers like these, that pull apart when too much strain is applied.

If a hose gets caught, the bungees give until the strain pulls the coupler apart. Not perfect but it works for what I do.

 

[litework]

I just use pre-cut spiral wrap [2" OD]. I got if off of Amazon and have used it for over three years on my grapple without issue.

 

[mikester]

I've been using the hose sleeve AND the spiral wrap on top. Each works well but combined they do better for me on friction areas. I use flat faced couplers with swivels so the hoses move more freely.

 

[Flogger]

Gates makes hard coil type hose wrap with a convex outer surface that is the best I have ever found hands down. Problem is that they know it and price it accordingly. I have purchased brand x from the internet and to date have no complaints. it is fantastic protection and will slide right over snags that kill the kevlar covers or flat coil wraps. i’ve used it in construction and farming for 30 years and have never looked back.