Hydraulic steering hoses

[Princess315]

Hello all, the hydraulic flexible hoses on my Hynautic steering are ready for replacement so I contacted a local hydraulic suppliers I have used before to replace fuel hoses. When I asked about replacement of the 8 flexible hoses with new pipe and swaged on to my existing fittings I was told that the fittings have to be also replaced with new due to new laws. This may be an issue with the quick release couplings currently used to be able to remove a faulty steering wheel pump and allow the system to continue working. While I understand health and safety of a hose on a JCB this is not an issue on my steering system working at a lower pressure (although nearly 1000psi is possible) There was no acceptance of this and the rules still applied. Has anyone else had this problem and found a suitable solution or supplier?

 

[volvopaul]

Hello all, the hydraulic flexible hoses on my Hynautic steering are ready for replacement so I contacted a local hydraulic suppliers I have used before to replace fuel hoses. When I asked about replacement of the 8 flexible hoses with new pipe and swaged on to my existing fittings I was told that the fittings have to be also replaced with new due to new laws. This may be an issue with the quick release couplings currently used to be able to remove a faulty steering wheel pump and allow the system to continue working. While I understand health and safety of a hose on a JCB this is not an issue on my steering system working at a lower pressure (although nearly 1000psi is possible) There was no acceptance of this and the rules still applied. Has anyone else had this problem and found a suitable solution or supplier?

You will find the new laws are for construction and plant equipment, there are no laws as far as I’m aware where your boats steering falls into this category.
I’d also state the there is virtually no pressure at all in your system when being used , you are just pushing oil down a pipe one direction then another .
There is pressure in the bladder tank that assists the steering that’s it .

 

[Princess315]

Thanks Paul, will have to find a supplier who will accept that the use is not on a JCB. Max pressure is only experienced when the wheel is forced against the rudder stops and the relief valve opens but I would be reluctant to trust other fixings like double Mikalor clamps. Any failure always happens at the worst time.

 

[vas]

Thanks Paul, will have to find a supplier who will accept that the use is not on a JCB. Max pressure is only experienced when the wheel is forced against the rudder stops and the relief valve opens but I would be reluctant to trust other fixings like double Mikalor clamps. Any failure always happens at the worst time.

and don't forget that any failure inside the helm area (and not engine room) is going to be RATHER messy!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

While I understand health and safety of a hose on a JCB this is not an issue on my steering system working at a lower pressure (although nearly 1000psi is possible)

I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want new fittings. Firstly 1000psi may be less than a typical construction machine but it’s still a significant pressure. Secondly you are relying on some probably ham fisted fitter to remove the old fittings from your old hoses without damaging them. Third loss of steering at sea is a potentially dangerous event. It’s happened to me twice due to failed hydraulic hoses and it’s not a situation I want to repeat
Personally I’d be replacing the fittings as well as the hoses. There are enough things to go wrong on a boat already

 

[Rappey]

I went to a local hydraulic specialist and had no problems with them making up whatever I required. I added a hydraulic auto pilot to the hydraulic steering system so needed two T's and pipes added. Chose 316 fittings as threaded and reusable but they cost hell of a lot more than usual mild steel fittings.

 

[Princess315]

Deleted User, I wanted to keep the quick release couplings as the company seemed reluctant to source these and were heading in the direction of replacement of the other side of the couplings as well. 6 of these are fitted for the 2 pumps as standard by Princess. I would prefer to strip off the old hose and clean up the fittings myself and then know a good job has been done fitting the new hose. Also want to know when I want a new end swaging on to a fuel hose the same does not apply to non hydraulic hoses. Not underestimating the possible pressure involved as 1000psi is still over 160 pounds of force trying to push the fittings out of the end of the hose on a 10mm id pipe.

 

[Assassin]

Basically its arse covering and little more and if you can get the hose and fittings which are reusable fittings you can make them yourself.

Many of these companies are classed as high risk by insurers and they cover their arses by working to the path of least risk to inhibit any liability claims against them and apply this to everything without exception.

I had exactly the same issue with a site concrete pump a few years ago when a lifting and levelling ram failed due to a burst hydraulic hose, the concrete was a rapid setting type and actually in transit and it had to be fixed and a company called Pirtek came and made a new hose up and refused to fit reusable ends as they claimed they were dangerous if fitted incorrectly and I asked why a so called specialised hydraulics supplier thought their expert staff were not competent to fit reusable ends and he simply shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know and that he hadn't even seen them.
His newly fitted pipe blew part way through the concrete pour and as I had some in my car I cut the pipe and fitted reusable ends and we spoke pressure ratings and he claimed they didn't handle the pressure until I showed him the ratings, the pipe and fittings he made up on the van were rated at 3250PSI and when he read the pressure rating of 50,000 PSI for the reusable ends I fitted he visibly gasped, it is still fitted to the concrete pump to date.

 

[simonfraser]

Hello all, the hydraulic flexible hoses on my Hynautic steering are ready for replacement so I contacted a local hydraulic suppliers I have used before to replace fuel hoses. When I asked about replacement of the 8 flexible hoses with new pipe and swaged on to my existing fittings I was told that the fittings have to be also replaced with new due to new laws. This may be an issue with the quick release couplings currently used to be able to remove a faulty steering wheel pump and allow the system to continue working. While I understand health and safety of a hose on a JCB this is not an issue on my steering system working at a lower pressure (although nearly 1000psi is possible) There was no acceptance of this and the rules still applied. Has anyone else had this problem and found a suitable solution or supplier?

yeh Rs covering for sure, depends what you are gonna use it all for
local shop here told me i could not use barbed extenders with SS hose clips, won't hold, it was for something on the boat
without major replacement work it was much simpler to extend a hose than to replace it
been there 2 years, tested it multiple times, no probs
but could have popped ...