There are a couple of ways to go about crimping a hydraulic hose, but it often involves some machinery to achieve a clean, even crimp. When crimping your hydraulic hose, you can choose between using a mechanical crimping machine or visiting your local hydraulic hose shop to use an electric crimping machine. While all machines are calibrated differently, we think you’ll find this high-level overview as a helpful starting point for how to crimp a hydraulic hose.
Before getting started, it’s important to note that it’s recommended that you use the same brand for both your hydraulic hose and fittings, as dimensions and fitting tolerances vary between manufacturers and a mismatch could result in the hose failing.
How to Crimp a Hydraulic Hose
1. Measure and Cut Your Hydraulic Hose
Be sure to check the information from your hose and fitting manufacturer to determine your cut-off factor, which can be achieved when measuring your hose end-to-end and subtracting the cut-off factor from the length of your hose, then mark it and cut your hose accordingly with a hose saw.
2. Clean Your Hydraulic Hose
After cutting your hose, there may be debris that has built up. To reduce the risk of contamination or hose failure, you’ll want to clean your hose with a foam projectile.
3. Choose the Correct Die Set
Check that you’ve selected a die set that will correctly match your specifications, as there are crimper die sets sized for various different hoses and fittings.
4. Choose Your Crimp Diameter
Next, you’ll want to choose the correct crimp diameter and put these specifications into your crimping machine.
5. Put the Fitting On
Select the correct fitting for your hose by considering the working type, style, and attachment method. Keep in mind, one of the leading causes of hose failure is due to fittings not being put on all the way before crimping. To avoid this, secure the fitting at the insertion mark using a soft mallet.
6. Crimp Your Hydraulic Hose
Adjust any additional settings on your crimping machine before you get started. A crimp too tight or too loose will lead to hose failures, which makes setting your crimp specifications a critical step. For crimp specifications made easily accessible, Continental offers a MyCrimp app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play App Store. Then, place the die in the crimping machine, followed by your hose. Be sure the hose is set in the machine so that the fitting sits just above the die.
7. Check Your Crimp Diameter
Verify that you have the correct crimp diameter by measuring it with a caliper. If it looks correct, then you can cap your hose.
More: How to Measure a Hydraulic Cylinder
Exceed Your Hydraulic Hose & Fitting Needs with Continental
Designed to operate in the harshest environments, Continental’s hydraulic hose and fittings selection can handle the pressure. In fact, Continental’s Extended Life™ XR16SC High-Pressure Hose features a nitrile inner tube, two high-tensile steel wire braids of reinforcement, and the Extended Life™ extra abrasion-resistant cover to meet the needs of applications that require tight bends, flexibility, and abrasion resistance.
Coupled with Continental’s hydraulic hose, their fittings provide the ultimate protection against leaks with a bite-to-wire design that penetrates the cover of the hose for maximum reliability that can stand the tests of the toughest pressure.
At our hydraulic hose shop in Merriam, KS, our dedicated team of knowledgeable experts are here to help you achieve the perfect crimp using Continental’s “Shop in a Box” industrial and hydraulic hose crimping machine. Not local to the area? We also have the ability to ship custom hose to anywhere in the United States.
To learn more about how to crimp a hydraulic hose, visit our local hydraulic hose shop today or reach out with your unique specifications to have a custom hose shipped to you.
If you’re looking to purchase hydraulic hose and fittings directly, visit ShopIBT!