How long do hoses last?

[tallyho8]

Just wondering. My hydraulic hoses on my frontend loader on my Kubota take a lot of beating pushing down trees and piling them up and clearing woods. I usually wind up breaking them by a fitting and rarely have them just wear out although some of them look so bad after a few years you would think they must be ready to explode.

Spending an average of $90 per hose is aggravating when it is usually my fault for not paying enough attention when I get in rough situations and push something against one of my hoses. I probably break about 2 of them a year and the ones that break usually show a lot of wear anyway and so I tell myself that they were ready to replace anyway.

I don't usually break hoses when bush-hogging or moving sand or dirt but in thick woods clearing trees is their demise. The ones on my grapple are usually more exposed than many of the other hoses and get the most breaks.

I will feel better about it if you tell me that hoses are usually replaced about every 6 years anyway but if you tell me you work your tractor hard and haven't replaced a hose in 15 years then I will have to admit I need more patience when working and to pay more attention when in these tight spots.

 

[4570Man]

I would start with finding a new source for hoses because that’s high. I have a 1985 dozer that still has factory hoses on it. The outside jacket on hoses is mostly for looks. They can look bad and still last a long time.

 

[MossRoad]

My PT425 is entirely hydraulic.

FEL has three cylinders.
Quick attach has one cylinder.
Steering has two cylinders.
Main PTO has two connections on the FEL arms.
Four hydraulic wheel motors, each with two hoses.
That's 22 hoses right there. I'd guess closer to 30 hoses when it's all said and done.

It's 21 years old. I beat the heck out of it. Haven't broken a hose yet. About 1000 hours. Having said that, it's just a matter of time when I either break one or they wear out.

A lot of it depends on how they're routed, protected, flexed, and sunlight, to name a few.

 

[5030]

I have not replaced a single hydraulic hose on either of my Kubota M9's One is a 2002 and the other is a 2004. Still look fine but they do live inside when not being used.

 

[JWR]

I don't know how relevant this is but ...on smaller Kubotas (BX2200) the hydraulic hoses have been almost the only things that failed over 20 years ownership. I just got mine back from the dealer who replaced steel hydraulic lines that had vibrated against the frame and started squirting oil over the place. Those were feeding the FEL. I replaced the power steering hydraulic lines 4 or 5 years ago. The more vulnerable lines (like you mentioned on your grapple) were pinched and sprayed oil all over my JD 4700 a few years ago -- those were on a 4-in-1 clam shell bucket operating just like a grapple. etc. In the last 11 years I have yet to have to replace a hydraulic hose on my larger MF2660 with 4-in-1 bucket, LaneShark FEL mounted cutter, grapple , etc. BUT this is my retirement hobby, not making a living, and you probably work yours drastically more than I do.

I think it just comes with the territory -- if you do much with tractors you are going to be replacing hydraulic lines once in a while. There is a reason why most all tractor dealers & independent repair shops also make hydraulic lines.

 

[5030]

I just got mine back from the dealer who replaced steel hydraulic lines that had vibrated against the frame and started squirting oil over the place.

Interesting. The steel lines that feed the cylinders and the 3rd function on my M9's are isolated in rubber saddles that are clamped with steel over clamps to the loader frame. Never had an issue with them. They must cheap out on the smaller units.

 

[deserteagle71]

My experience has been that the older hoses did last almost forever. The newer ones - last 8 years or so - not so much. Something has changed in the formulation of the compounds the hoses are made of. I can have a new hose made up and within a few months it is badly cracked and checked and looks older than hoses I have that are 30 years old. Are they starting to make them out of some soy compound (like the new electric wire insulation is) that the sun and oil destroys quickly?

 

[5030]

My experience has been that the older hoses did last almost forever. The newer ones - last 8 years or so - not so much. Something has changed in the formulation of the compounds the hoses are made of. I can have a new hose made up and within a few months it is badly cracked and checked and looks older than hoses I have that are 30 years old. Are they starting to make them out of some soy compound (like the new electric wire insulation is) that the sun and oil destroys quickly?

I think you'll find that if you read the fine print, they were probably made across the pond and that across the pond rubber versus domestic rubber, don't last nearly as long. If I were to get any new hoses, I'd specify Gates hydraulic hose. It's more money but made here.

 

[deserteagle71]

I think you'll find that if you read the fine print, they were probably made across the pond and that across the pond rubber versus domestic rubber, don't last nearly as long. If I were to get any new hoses, I'd specify Gates hydraulic hose. It's more money but made here.

Not my experience, at least with Gates fuel hoses. Used to be they would last for years. I have a roll of Gates fuel hose right now that if I cut off a piece and put it on one of my lawn mowers, it will last no more than a year before it is cracked and leaking. I've taken to buying fuel hose at a motorcycle shop; whatever brand they use on motorcycle gas tanks lasts a lot longer. Its definitely not Gates brand.

 

[jyoutz]

On my last tractor, I replaced 2 hoses in 21 years.