Whether you are keenly familiar with hydraulic hose fitting issues or whether this is the first time you have experienced a hydraulic hose fitting problem, you need to act quickly to preserve the integrity of your equipment and minimize interruptions to productivity. In most cases, the best course of action is to schedule a service call with an experienced provider. Below is your seven-step guide to a successful hydraulic hose fitting service call.
1) Act swiftly
“A single hydraulic leak of one drop per second is equal to 420 gallons of oil in a 12 month period. This volume adds up fast. It has been estimated that over 100 million gallons of fluids could be saved every year in North America if external leakage from hydraulic machinery and other lubricated equipment was eliminated.”
– Lloyd Leugner, Machinery Lubrication
The first and most important thing to do when your hydraulic hoses and fittings require servicing is to contact a reputable hose fitting service provider right away. Whether you are in need of an emergency service visit or a routine maintenance inspection, you should never delay scheduling a service call. Here are some reasons why it is important to schedule your service call as soon as possible:
- A small leak could be indicative of a more serious problem with your equipment
- The problem could worsen or you could cause further damage by ignoring the problem
- Leaking oil or other fluids can result in safety hazards and lost revenue
2) Gather all pertinent information related to the fitting
There is no substitute for being prepared when you reach out to a service provider. Hydraulic machinery and equipment is developed by manufacturers across the globe and there are countless styles of fittings used during the fabrication process. So if your equipment appears to have a defective hydraulic hose fitting, you should gather the following pieces of information before contacting a service provider:
- The make and model of the equipment experiencing the trouble
- A description of the problem with the fitting
- The type of thread (tapered or parallel)
- The size of the thread
3) Take a photo of the fitting(s)
It is not always easy to obtain the four pieces of information above. Manufacturer details can wear off after years of using equipment and employees may lack the tools necessary to accurately measure the size of the thread. If you are unsure about the make and model of your equipment or the characteristics of your fitting, take a photo of the damaged fitting. In some cases, a service technician can recognize the fitting or the size and type of fitting needed for your hydraulic hose. Make sure to take a high-resolution photo that captures the thread on the fitting. Also, make sure to include the piece of equipment in question as well as the hydraulic hoses that require the fitting.
4) Clearly describe the problem you are having
The more information a service technician has regarding your hose fittings, the faster you will be able to resume use of your equipment. Generalities such as, “I think there is a problem with my hose,” are not very helpful to service technicians who are preparing to service your equipment. Here is an example of a more appropriate description of a problem:
“Yesterday I noticed a small amount of hydraulic oil dripping from my CAT forklift. It looks like the dripping is originating around one of the hose fittings and it appears that the fitting may be separating from the hose.”
5) Make a note of any products you may require
Experienced service technicians often arrive in a service truck that is stocked with products that are commonly required by customers. If the service technician has the items that you need on hand, you could save time and future delivery costs. Here are some items that might be available for purchase from your service provider:
- Rubber hose guards
- O-ring kits
- Pressure gauges
- Flow control valves
- Hydraulic hose protective sleeves
- Tube clamps
- Hydraulic oil
6) Ask about tips for preventive maintenance
Top-notch hose fitting specialists help customers recognize the important role that maintenance plays in extending the life of capital equipment. They are often willing to provide valuable tips to help customers properly care for their hydraulic hoses, fittings, and equipment. Once the fitting repair or replacement process is complete, ask your technician if he or she has any recommendations on the following:
- How to keep your hydraulic hoses and fittings clean
- How to prevent leaks from occurring
- How to spot signs of excessive wear and tear on hoses and fittings
- How to properly clamp hydraulic hoses to prevent them from interfering with moving components
- How frequently to inspect hydraulic hoses and fittings
7) Resist the urge to “do it yourself”
Equipment owners who are strapped for time or cash may be tempted to try to replace their own fittings and service their own equipment. Unless you have been properly trained to service hydraulic equipment, it is not a good idea to try to service your own equipment. Without the proper training, you could end up making costly mistakes that could compromise your equipment or your business. For instance, if you try to change a hydraulic hose fitting on your own and drop the replacement fitting on the floor in the process, you run the risk of contaminating your equipment.
Schedule your hydraulic hose fitting service call today
Clearly, there are many factors to consider when scheduling a hose fitting service call. Fortunately, you can extend the life of your equipment by seeking a service visit from a trained specialist. We invite you to contact us to find out why we are the leading hydraulic hose fitting service provider in the Twin Cities area. One of our experienced industrial hose fitting experts will be delighted to schedule a service call today. In addition to offering mobile repair service as needed, we offer ongoing hydraulic hose maintenance at an affordable rate. We look forward to the opportunity to illustrate our quality of service to you!