When Do You Need To Replace Hydraulic Tubes?

The replacement cycle of hydraulic tubes in hydraulic systems is not fixed, and it is usually recommended to replace them every 3-5 years. However, the actual replacement time needs to be comprehensively judged based on factors such as the frequency of use of the hydraulic tube, the working environment, the quality of the material, and the working pressure and flow of the system. In harsh working environments or when used at high frequencies, more frequent inspections and replacements may be required. So under what specific circumstances do hydraulic tubes need to be replaced?

Appearance damage

1. Wear on the pipe surface

When the outer surface of the hydraulic tube is obviously worn, such as long-term friction with other parts, causing the rubber layer or the outer protective cover to become thinner, damaged, or even exposing the internal reinforcement layer (such as the wire braid layer or the winding layer), it needs to be replaced. For example, in some mechanical equipment, hydraulic tubes may experience this kind of wear due to the vibration of the equipment or frequent contact with the surrounding metal structure. Because once the outer protective structure is damaged, the internal hydraulic tube structure is easily eroded by the external environment, such as moisture, dust, etc., which in turn affects the performance and service life of the hydraulic tube.

2. Bulge and crack phenomenon

If there are bulges or cracks on the surface of the hydraulic tube, this is a serious problem. Bulge may be caused by excessive internal pressure, separation between the rubber layer and the reinforcement layer, or aging of the material. Cracks may be caused by excessive bending and stretching of the pipe, or long-term exposure to harsh environmental conditions (such as low temperature causing the material to become brittle). Whether it is bulge or crack, the strength of the hydraulic tube will decrease and the risk of bursting will increase, so it should be replaced immediately once it is found.

Leakage problem

1. Oil leakage at the joint

Oil leakage at the joint of the hydraulic tube is a common problem. This may be due to damage to the joint seal, loose joint or damage to the pipe end. If the oil leakage problem cannot be solved by simple measures such as tightening the joint nut, it is necessary to further check the hydraulic tube and joint. If it is found that it is a problem with the hydraulic tube itself, such as deformation of the pipe end, damage to the inner rubber layer, etc., which makes it impossible to form a good seal, then the hydraulic tube needs to be replaced.

2. Pipe body leakage

When the hydraulic tube body leaks, it indicates that the pipe has been seriously damaged. Leakage may be caused by the pipe being scratched, corroded and perforated, or the pipe wall being broken due to excessive internal pressure. In this case, the hydraulic tube can no longer work properly and must be replaced immediately to avoid a large amount of hydraulic oil leakage, affecting the normal operation of the hydraulic system, and also preventing environmental pollution and safety hazards caused by hydraulic oil leakage.

Performance degradation

1. Excessive pressure loss

During the normal operation of the hydraulic system, if the pressure difference between the two ends of the hydraulic tube is found to be significantly increased and exceeds the normal range, this may be caused by internal blockage of the hydraulic tube, smaller pipe diameter (such as expansion or shedding of the inner rubber layer), or the pipe is too long and bent too much. Excessive pressure loss will affect the working efficiency of the hydraulic system and prevent the actuator from obtaining sufficient power. If it is determined after inspection that the pressure loss is too large due to the problem of the hydraulic tube itself, and it cannot be solved by cleaning, unblocking, etc., the hydraulic tube needs to be replaced.

2. Insufficient flow

When the hydraulic system has insufficient flow and the failure of other hydraulic components such as pumps and valves is excluded, it may be a problem with the hydraulic tube. For example, the inner diameter of the hydraulic tube becomes smaller due to deformation, blockage, etc., which will limit the flow of hydraulic oil. In this case, it is necessary to determine whether to replace the hydraulic tube according to the actual situation. If it is a local blockage, you can try to clean it, but if the inner diameter becomes smaller or deforms seriously due to the quality problem of the pipe itself, it needs to be replaced.

Aging factors

1. Material aging

The material of the hydraulic tube will age with time and the use environment. For example, when a rubber hydraulic tube is exposed to high temperature, ultraviolet radiation, chemical erosion, etc. for a long time, the rubber will become hard, brittle or soft and lose elasticity. This change in material properties will cause the pressure resistance and fatigue resistance of the hydraulic tube to decrease. Generally speaking, the service life of a rubber hydraulic tube is about 3-5 years, and the specific time will also be affected by the use environment and working conditions. When it is found that the hydraulic tube material is obviously aged, in order to ensure the safety and normal operation of the hydraulic system, the hydraulic tube should be replaced.

2. Aging after long-term idleness

If the hydraulic tube is idle for a long time, it may age due to environmental factors even if it is not actually working. For example, if it is placed in a humid environment with corrosive gases, the hydraulic tube may suffer from corrosion and aging of the rubber layer. Before reactivating the hydraulic system, the hydraulic tube should be inspected and replaced if there are serious signs of aging.

Frequent failures or many maintenance records

If the hydraulic tube has frequent minor failures over a period of time, such as multiple minor leaks, local damage that has been repaired and then quickly recurred, this indicates that the overall performance of the hydraulic tube has declined and its reliability has decreased. At this time, from the perspective of long-term considerations and ensuring the stable operation of the hydraulic system, it is recommended to replace the hydraulic tube even if the current failure seems to be repairable. Because frequent maintenance not only increases costs and downtime, but also poses potential safety hazards.

Summary

Whether the hydraulic tube needs to be replaced is mainly based on the appearance inspection, performance testing, and abnormal conditions during use of the hydraulic tube. For example, if the hydraulic tube is found to be cracked, deformed, severely worn or leaking, it should be replaced with a new one in time. In addition, the hydraulic system should be tested regularly for performance. If the hydraulic tube performance is found to be degraded or cannot meet the system requirements, it should also be considered for replacement. Regular replacement of hydraulic tubes is very important for hydraulic systems, which can avoid losses caused by hydraulic tube failures and improve work efficiency.