Loader hoses

[orezok]

My B7800 is now 20 years old and still has the original loader hoses. For safety reasons, is it time to replace them? They still look good on the outside, but who knows about the inside.

 

[oldnslo]

Has it been stored inside out of the sun? If yes that helps prolong their life but 20 years I would probably consider changing them especially if had plans to use the loader for extended period of time.

 

[orezok]

Has it been stored inside out of the sun? If yes that helps prolong their life but 20 years I would probably consider changing them especially if had plans to use the loader for extended period of time.

Nope. 20 years in the desert sun outside.

 

[WinterDeere]

20 years in the desert sun outside.

Replace. I had a loader hose fail once, around 30 years old, and it was kept indoors for a third of that time. Damn lucky I didn't get hurt, I had just walked away from the machine to grab something else with the loader up in the air when it happened, but it sprayed hydro oil all over everything within a 40 foot radius.

So in addition to losing a few days work while the machine was stuck unusable out in the yard, I had a nice clean-up chore.

 

[dieselscout80]

My tractor’s (no quite 20 years old) loader hoses are very weathered to the point the steel braiding is showing. I have been replacing them as they blow.

It’s a pain as they’re are so expensive. I really should just bite the bullet and replace the rest at the same time.

 

[Carl_NH]

On my B21 (24 Y/O stored inside) BH hose let go inside the boom last year, so bought all the hoses $900 for all the boom hoses and replaced the bad one - it had wire braid separation in the bend on the boom. Then later last year replaced seals in my bucket cylinder and lines are getting stiff, so ordered all the FEL hoses.

I got the BH hoses from Messicks, but for the loader got a few from Messicks and ordered the 18" and 22 or 24" straight fittings on line. Some of Messicks hose were $150 for an 18" straight hose - its a odd length like 18 1/4:" and on line got it for $45.

So, yes when its sat outside, best to get them on hand, so when one does go you can replace in minutes than being stuck in the middle of woods or field. And you can shop around for them and not pay $100 rush shipping.

 

[nyone]

If the exterior looks good then I wouldnt change then. When you start to see alot of rust and coating peeling off its time.

2yrs ago I got a tc40 with 3,000hr and nearly all the hoses where a ball of rust. I changed all the hoses with surpluscenter hoses for under $500.

If your really worried about downtime buy a spare hose for every length on the machine. I bet it will be under $120.

 

[WinterDeere]

And you can shop around for them and not pay $100 rush shipping.

We have a local hydraulics shop that just makes the hoses for us. Their inventory will spin your head, they must have 50 pieces of every item in the Parker catalog.

I thought every town has at least one of these shops? These places usually maintain the local fire equipment (half their inventory is fire hose and hydrant connectors), elevator repair, fork lifts, irrigation equipment, and general industrial supply. Heck, even the swimming pool guys get some of their specialty plumbing there. I can't imagine the regular industry of any town getting by without at least one hydraulics supply store.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes - I frequent our local hose house, but they are very expensive - had one 3/8" hose I needed shortened and 45* JIC fitting added - $42 for the fitting, and $15 labor charge. Asked him what a hose made up would cost, he said $85 for a 16" long hose and two fittings. When I asked about 5' long 3/8 hose, with JIC 90* fitting one end and straight the other - roughly $120. Yes the local shop is good and fast but it costs $$$,

I got all 6 of my FEL hoses for under $400. two from Messicks and 4 on line.

Also, for my BH boom leak I needed to identify which hose of the 8 inside the boom, so I went ahead and ordered them all from Messick's as I didn't know if I needed to pull all the hoses out or if I would be able to replace just one.

 

[TMGT]

It's worth doing, I had a hose blow on the loader a few years ago, worst possible time and made a huge mess. Hose didn't look that bad when it went.

Decided to change all the loader hoses to avoid future problems.

I have a crimper so was able to make all my own hoses, but for an additional $10 each Discount Hydraulic Hose will make the hoses, if you know your fitting type/size.

I would also recommend a nylon cover to help protect from UV, you can buy the cover by the roll from multiple vendors (even Amazon).
I also used crimp style clamps to hold the covers in place (also found on Amazon).

The local hose shops are really pricey!

 

[WinterDeere]

Yes - I frequent our local hose house, but they are very expensive...

Good point. Any factory-made hose built and stocked in bulk is going to be way cheaper than custom-made lengths, given all the costs and time involved in stocking and hand-measuring each item. If there are standard lengths and configurations, you'll definitely do better buying off the shelf, what you can.

 

[orezok]

OP here. Even though my tractor has been outside in the desert at 3500 msl for 20 years, the hoses still look to be in good shape. No rust (this is the desert) and no cracking or discoloration.

The paint while shows some fading is still reasonably good. Never been polished or waxed.

I’ve had 2 RV trailers, one 16 years one 13 years and the roofs on both still looked good with no issues

I’m convinced that the sun is NOT the main culprit in deterioration, but it’s ozone and pollution in the atmosphere. The air in the desert is extremely clean with minimal pollution.

Never the less, I’m going to replace them.

 

[WinterDeere]

I’m convinced that the sun is NOT the main culprit in deterioration, but it’s ozone and pollution in the atmosphere. The air in the desert is extremely clean with minimal pollution.

I'd challenge that. I can have two pieces of equipment on the same property, one sitting in the sun and the other in the shade, same air. Every bit of rubber on the one in the sun looks beat after a few years, the one in the shade looks new.

I also have boats (plural). The topsides take a beating in the sun, while everything shaded by the dock stays fresh. Same air, same dock, same boat. I'm now on boats #5 and #6.

 

[orezok]

I'd challenge that. I can have two pieces of equipment on the same property, one sitting in the sun and the other in the shade, same air. Every bit of rubber on the one in the sun looks beat after a few years, the one in the shade looks new.

I also have boats (plural). The topsides take a beating in the sun, while everything shaded by the dock stays fresh. Same air, same dock, same boat. I'm now on boats #5 and #6.

So how do you explain the lack of deteriorated rubber, paint and trailer roofs in the desert after 20 years.

Are the 2 pieces of equipment identical or is one built with lesser quality?

Maybe the air quality in Philly is really bad for some products.

Take your best shot.

 

[WinterDeere]

So how do you explain the lack of deteriorated rubber, paint and trailer roofs in the desert after 20 years.

Some materials are more UV resistant than others. Not all roofs are made of the same material, some are made out of very UV-stable materials.

Are the 2 pieces of equipment identical or is one built with lesser quality?

I cited two pieces of equipment in particular, but the reality is that we have many hundreds of examples of tires left in sun versus those kept indoors.

 

[kennyd]

I'm in the 'wait till they start deteriorating" camp. No use in replacing good parts.

Heck, even a brand new hose could blow in two weeks, life is full of surprises.

 

[Carl_NH]

Agreed Kenny - the point is to buy all the hoses now for a reasonable cost so when stuff happens you can replace them. Kubota wants a pretty penny for most hoses that can be had for half the price or less if you plan (get lengths and fittings needed) and buy them on line.

 

[Carl_NH]

So how do you explain the lack of deteriorated rubber, paint and trailer roofs in the desert after 20 years..

Isn't the Mojave desert near where they have all the planes stored - or is it south of Phoenix / Tuscon area? They store the planes there as they don't deteriorate, or corrode due to the dry climate?

Weather and climate does make a difference in aging - where there is humidity, then heat, then cold and climate changes things age faster vs consistent temperature and dry regions.

 

[orezok]

Isn't the Mojave desert near where they have all the planes stored - or is it south of Phoenix / Tuscon area? They store the planes there as they don't deteriorate, or corrode due to the dry climate?

Weather and climate does make a difference in aging - where there is humidity, then heat, then cold and climate changes things age faster vs consistent temperature and dry regions.

Yes, they store hundreds of commercial and military planes out here. Must be a reason for that.

 

[kennyd]

the point is to buy all the hoses now for a reasonable cost so when stuff happens you can replace them.

Using that logic, every hose, belt and the tires should be replaced too because 'stuff happens'.