Hydraulic Hose Sizes : What Kind Do I Need?

Everything you Need to Know About the Types of Hydraulic Hose Sizes

Hydraulic systems use many types of hydraulic hose sizes to generate mechanical power like stamping, lifting, and forging and can be found in applications ranging from airplanes to bulldozers.

Choosing the right type of hydraulic hose sizes for your application depends on many factors, including use, applicable standards, environment, and more.

Continue reading to learn about the many different types of hose sizes available and how to choose the ideal hose for your situation.

Types of Hydraulic Hoses

Before exploring the different types of hydraulic hose sizes, it’s helpful to understand the construction of hydraulic hoses. The standard hydraulic hose is made out of three layers of materials:

1. Inner Tube: this is the actual hose that transports fluid. Many materials can be used for the inner tube, but neoprene and nitrile are two of the most common.
2. Reinforcement: this layer is what gives the hose its strength. Reinforcement materials include Teflon, coiled wire, textile braiding, and other constructions that enable the hose to hold up against extreme internal pressures.
3. Cover: this layer protects the reinforcement and inner tube against abrasion, environmental damage, and other hazards. Common cover materials include synthetic rubber, neoprene, and fiber.

The primary thing that differentiates hoses is the material they use in each of these three layers.

Most Common Kinds of Hydraulic Hose Sizes

There are dozens of different hydraulic hoses to choose from, and most of them are built to specifications laid out by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) — the organization that sets the standards for hydraulic hoses.

Four of the most common types of SAE hydraulic hose sizes include:

1. Medium-Pressure Hose (100R1). A high tensile strength hose with a steel wire reinforcement layer. Available with a high abrasion resistance cover (modified nitrile) or a high-temperature resistant cover (CSM).
2. High-Pressure Hose (100R2). Features two reinforcement layers of high tensile steel braided wire. It can generally operate at working pressures up to 5800 PSI and transport cold and hot water and petroleum-based fluids.
3. Single Steel Braid DOT Hose (100R5). A medium-pressure hose designed for the transportation industry. It is used in power steering, air brake, turbo oil line, filtration line, and other oil and water applications.
4. Heavy-Duty, High Impulse Hose (100R12). An extremely robust hose composed of four layers of high tensile and thick spiraled steel wire. The reinforcement wire layers alternate directions, improving durability. Hose cover is resistant to weather, abrasion, cuts, corrosion, aging, and other workplace hazards.

How to Select the Correct Hydraulic Hose Sizes

It’s crucial to select the correct kind of hydraulic hose when shopping for new hoses. Equipping your hydro system with the incorrect hose can easily result in damaged equipment and severely injured crew members.

Factors to keep in mind with selecting a new or replacement hose include:

• Pressure rating
• Inside diameter
• Length
• Material
• Hose lay lines
• Fittings

High-Quality Hydraulic Hoses From Greenshields

The easiest way to ensure you select the right type of hose for your application is to have a professional create your hose assembly for you.

If you need a replacement hose, simply bring your old hose and its fittings to Greenshields Industrial Supply, and one of our hydraulic hose experts will build a new hose assembly for you. To check our products contact us.