Hose maintenance and inspection

Hose maintenance and inspection

1. Maintenance

Always check the rubber hose assembly in use for leaks, bends, wear, corrosion or any other signs of wear or damage. If the hose assembly is worn or damaged, it should be replaced immediately.

2. Clean

The hose assembly should be purged with at least clean compressed air. If the tube is compatible with the oil, flush the assembly with mineral spirits, otherwise it should be cleaned with hot water up to +150 °F.

3. Check

Inspect the inside of the hose assembly to check for internal cuts or bulges, blockages, and cleanliness. For modular joints, the hose must be flush with the shoulder of the joint, and the clamp and retaining ring must be installed correctly and tightly, with appropriate spacing between the sections. Check that the gap between the nut and the sleeve or the hex portion and the sleeve is correct. The nut should be free to rotate and cover the ends of the hose with a plastic cover to keep it clean.

4. Acceptance test - hydraulic

The hose assembly should be hydraulically tested using twice the recommended working pressure of the hose. The test pressure should be kept no more than one minute but not less than 30 seconds. When the test pressure is reached, the hose assembly should be inspected: a. There is no evidence of leakage or performance degradation; b. Whether the hose joint moves relative to the hose, any such defects will cause unqualified.

5. Acceptance test - pneumatic

Hose assemblies for gas or air should be tested with 10 psi of air or nitrogen and the assembly immersed in water. When the assembly begins to pressurize, bubbles sometimes appear on the hose and joints, which is not considered a defect. However, if bubbles appear at a specific location in the hose at a steady rate, this component should be considered unacceptable.