Hydraulic systems are prone to leakages that are mostly a result of faulty fittings. Repairing these leakages is somewhat more complicated than replacing damaged fittings. The good news is that there are some precautions you can take while handling fitting leaks. Our Custom Hose Tech experts elaborate below on what to do when dealing with a suspected hose fitting leak.
1. Do not inspect it with your hands
If you suspect a leak from a hydraulic hose fitting, do not examine it with your hands. A hydraulic system hose set up carries hot pressurized fluid. When this fluid comes in contact with your hands or fingers, it causes serious injection injuries. Unfortunately, this can happen even when you are wearing protective gloves. To steer clear of this risk, use a piece of wood or cardboard to inspect the suspected leak.
2. Stay away from fire while fixing a hydraulic leak
When you suspect a hydraulic hose fitting leak and want to fix it, ensure there is no fire around. Small, tiny hose-fitting leakages can quickly transform into haze-like vapor clouds. In such circumstances, fire sparks or a cigarette lighter flame could cause an explosion. A flashlight will come in handy when trying to get to the bottom of the leak. Light from a cigarette lighter is a dangerous idea.
3. Depressurize the system before the repair
Hot fluid circulates in a hydraulic system. If you try to repair hose fitting leaks when the system is pressurized, an eruption of the dangerous hydraulic fluid may occur. The hot fluid can inflict consequential injuries on you. The best approach is to turn off the system and give it time to expel all the pressure before embarking on repair work.
4. Do not ignore faulty hose fittings
Some leaks may seem insignificant, but if left unattended, they can cause serious problems. Besides, hose fitting leaks attract contaminants that can be harmful to the entire machine. Contamination leads to many system failures. You must stop working to address any faulty hose fittings to avoid bigger and more costly issues.
5. Avoid contamination
A leaking hydraulic hose fitting can cause contamination. This may happen if you ignore a small leak. However, repairing or replacing the hose fitting in a dirty area could also lead to contamination. Before you start the repair process, avoid locations with dirt, debris, grease, or dust.
6. Confirm that it is a fitting problem
Drips are common in hydraulic systems due to gravity. You can easily mistake these for leaks and replace a hose fitting that’s not faulty. If the fluid drips is coming from another location or component, you will not have solved the issue.
7. Use the right hose fitting
Replacing a hose fitting with a similar part doesn’t make it right. It is likely to cause significant downtime in the future. You’d rather source for the right fitting than risk further problems.
8. Use an o-ring on the hose fitting
When replacing a hydraulic hose fitting, use a new o-ring. The ultimate objective is to make sure the reusable or new hose fitting is tight enough. The o-ring in a faulty hose fitting is usually compromised.
9. Do not over tighten the hose fitting
You may think that over tightening a fitting makes it better. However, that’s far from the truth. Tightly fastened nuts may lead to fitting failures.
Hydraulic Hose Fittings Minneapolis & Rochester, MN
We are a leading hydraulic hose company that specializes in unusual metrics, non-standard hoses, and fittings in Minneapolis and Rochester locations. If you suspect that your hydraulic system has a damaged or broken hose fitting, contact us immediately. Our team is well equipped to provide you with the best hose fitting solutions for your hydraulic system.