Those working with hydraulic hoses are well aware of the fact that choosing the right hydraulic hose for your machinery is very crucial for smooth flow of work. Though the hose looks simple and interchangeable, it is actually a multi-layered sophisticated tool developed with the purpose of meeting the needs of specific use. It is advisable to use your good discretion before choosing the right hydraulic hose for your specific use. There is a seven step process or guideline called S.T.A.M.P.E.D. which is used to identify the right hydraulic hose for your machinery. It is considered essential as it highlights and defines the seven important characteristics about hoses be it size, pressure, attachment, application and machine. The seven steps are:

• Step 1: Size
  The inner diameter of the hose must be sufficient to keep pressure loss to a minimum and prevent damages that happen due to excessive turbulence and heat generation. If the original hose layline is either worn off or painted over, measure the inner diameter for determining the size and cut the original hose accordingly.




• Step 2: Temperature
  While choosing a replacement assembly, consider fluid temperature and ambient temperature. The hose you choose must be capable of resisting maximum and minimum temperature endured by the system.




• Step 3: Application
  It should be determined where and how the replacement assembly or the hose is going to be used – indoor or outdoor. Also make sure who’s going to use it – workers or machines. To meet the requirements of application some additional questions must be answered such as:
  • How is hose construction like?
  • Fluid compatibility?
  • Suction application?
  • Thread Type?
  • Minimum Bend Radius?
  • Excessive Abrasion?
  • Environmental Conditions?




• Step 4: Material to be Conveyed
  There are some applications which require specific oils or chemicals to be conveyed through the system. Hose selection procedure must ensure compatibility with hose cover, tube, o-rings and couplings with the fluid used. One needs to be more cautious while selecting hose for gaseous applications such as LPG and refrigerants.




• Step 5: Pressure
  There are some applications which require specific oils or chemicals to be conveyed through the system. Hose selection procedure must ensure compatibility with hose cover, tube, o-rings and couplings with the fluid used. One needs to be more cautious while selecting hose for gaseous applications such as LPG and refrigerants.




• Step 6: Ends of Couplings
  End connections should be identified using coupling templates or measuring tools. You must determine the type of end connection since the industrial hoses used in plants or factories are connected to several devices, machines and vehicles.




• Step 7: Delivery
  It is the last step of the guideline is delivery. It is the date when the hose is required. Assume the system is properly sized to efficiently transport fluid if the same I.D. of original hose is used. You can determine the hose I.D. by using the Nomographic chart if the system is new or altered.

The aforementioned seven steps will ease the task of choosing the right hydraulic hose for the machinery.