If you're in an industry that depends on hydraulic machinery, you know all too well the importance of hydraulic hoses and fittings. Whether you're going to purchase hydraulic hose fittings online, through a hydraulic hose fittings distributor, or directly from a hydraulic hose fittings manufacturer, you should be familiar with hydraulic hose fittings types and styles so you get exactly what you need.

There's plenty of hydraulic hose fittings types and styles to choose from. From connectors and adapters to brass or steel fittings, there's a wealth of hydraulic hose fitting information to brush up on before you buy hydraulic hose fittings. Before you begin to search for hydraulic hose fittings, consider the many types and styles available:

1. Find connectors and couplings you need when you buy hydraulic hose fittings.
2. Realize the importance of adapters as part of your hydraulic hose fittings inventory.
3. Choose from carbon or stainless steel to brass or aluminum hydraulic hose fittings.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make the right connection when it comes to hydraulic hose fittings

Some of the most important hydraulic hose fittings are connectors and couplings. You can add valves and join hoses together using these hydraulic hose fittings. Connectors and couplings come in a wide range of sizes and can be straight or elbow-shaped.

I recommend: Discount Hyrdraulic Hose has steel male and female couplings in sizes ranging from 1/4-inch to one-inch, with sleeve lock safety. View a long list of hydraulic hose connectors, both straight and elbow, available from Grainger. Gates Corporation produces many types of hydraulic hose couplings, form those that crimp on to threadless lock-on couplings.

Select from a wide range of adapters when you purchase hydraulic hose fittings

There may be times when you need an adapter in order to join two types of connectors or couplings. You might, for instance, need an adapter for a standard to metric conversion, or to make a threaded to non-threaded connection. Hydraulic hose adapters make it possible to complete a number of configurations.

I recommend: Hydraulic House has many male/male and male/female hydraulic hose adapters, in both straight and angled styles. Find detailed illustrations of straight, angled and teed hydraulic hose adaptors available from HoseXpress. Drill Spot carries several styles of threaded hydraulic hose adapters.

Get hydraulic hose fittings made from a variety of materials

Hydraulic hose fittings are not a 'one type fits all' product. You can choose fittings made from several types of material, including carbon steel, stainless steel, brass or aluminum.

I recommend: Flotran Pneu-Draulics has many types of hydraulic hose fittings that come zinc-coated, brass or stainless steel. FittingsandAdapters.com has many brass, bronze and steel hydraulic hose fittings, from couplers and adapters to barbs and valves.

Hydraulic hoses and fittings come in many sizes and variations. Systems requiring fluid pump and delivery processes, including machining, manufacturing and automotive industries, rely on specific hydraulic hose supplies to keep their operations working. If your business is in one of these industries, or another where such products are a necessity, find out where you can get the right supplies.

The supplies you require depend on your business. Hydraulic hoses and fittings are not universal; the size, strength and other characteristics vary by application, so the valve or clamp that works on an automobile engine can't be incorporated into chemical processing machinery. Get the right products for your business by checking for:

1. Hydraulic hose fittings manufacturer for connectors and couplings

2. Hydraulic hose fitting information on valves for chemicals or machinery

3. Hydraulic hose fittings distributor that sells clamps

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate a hydraulic hose fittings business for connectors and couplings for machining

Many industrial processes require pressurized systems, and those systems count hydraulic hose connections among their integral parts. Pressure couplings and shaped connectors are as important as the hoses themselves. Keep your system running smoothly with the right products and maintain an optimal operating environment for efficiency.

I recommend: Get discount hydraulic hose fittings from Discount Hydraulic Hose, or choose from among the connectors, couplings and elbows available from hydraulic hose fitting manufacturers such as Grainger and Reid Supply Co.

Get the correct valves for your chemical processing business' hydraulic hose fittings online

Valve fittings are another important piece of any hydraulic system. Whether you're processing chemicals, keeping machinery operating, or both, valves are essential for regulating the proper flow of fluids. Make sure your system has the right valves and valve fittings to keep the whole process running correctly.

I recommend: Check out the different valves sold by hydraulic hose fittings distributor IR-G, or get pricing information for various valve products at Precision Fluid Power.

Keep your hydraulic hoses and fittings tightened properly with clamps

The hoses, fittings, couplings and valves in your system won't be much good if the connections don't fit together tightly. Make sure you have the right equipment to ensure a solid fit. Clamps of various kinds are available to keep the pieces securely sealed and attached.

I recommend: View the many options you have for clamps from hydraulic hose supplies available at HosExpress or Capital Rubber Corp. Also, get information from hydraulic hose fittings manufacturer Kuriyama of America.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies mentioned in this guide also sell hydraulic hoses in addition to fittings. If you're seeking to supply your business with these components, buying them from the same manufacturer of hydraulic hose fittings not only will save you time but also ensure that all parts fit together well.

If you're in a business that involves working with hydraulic machinery, you will benefit greatly from knowing about the installation and maintenance for hydraulic hose fittings. From air, water and gas pipes to air brake lines, hydraulic hose supplies are an integral part of your equipment. Before you begin to search for hydraulic hose fittings, it is best to understand some basic installation and maintenance information.

Unless you purchase hydraulic hose fittings online, you might find help with installation and maintenance from your local hydraulic hose fittings distributor. A hydraulic hose fittings manufacturer is also a good source for installation and maintenance instructions. Here's the best ways to find out about the installation and maintenance for hydraulic hose fittings:

1. Look to hydraulic hose fitting manufacturers for instructions and tips on installation.
2. Get hydraulic hose fitting information about maintenance schedules and recommendations.
3. Find companies that specialize in the installation and maintenance of hydraulic hose fittings.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go right to the source when it comes to installation and maintenance for hydraulic hose fittings

Perhaps the best sources when it comes to installing and maintaining hydraulic hose fittings are hydraulic hose fitting manufacturers. You're most likely to find installation instructions and maintenance tips from those who make hydraulic hose fittings. If you're one to do it yourself, or have an employee trained for hydraulic hose fittings installation and maintenance, manufacturer information will be a great asset.

I recommend: Airline Hydraulics Corporation offers some basic installation and maintenance instructions and tips for hydraulic hose fittings. Find links to assembly instructions for standard and specialized hydraulic hose fittings made by Air-Way Manufacturing.

Keep your hydraulic hose fittings working efficiently

Like any mechanical part, hydraulic hose fittings need to be inspected and maintained to keep them in proper working order. Hydraulic hose fittings should be on a regular maintenance program and repaired or replaced as needed. This will keep your equipment running smoothly, reduce down time and eliminate any potential problems down the road.

I recommend: The Hydraulic Hose Assembly Care pdf at Industry Technical Advisory Committee includes maintenance tips for hydraulic hose fittings, and is easily accessed under the technical documents feed. Get preventive maintenance instructions and tips for hydraulic hose fittings and tubings, including intervals for checking equipment, from Stuart M. Davis.

Turn to the pros when it comes to installation and maintenance for hydraulic hose fittings

You might not be a do-it-yourselfer or may not have an employee capable of handling the installation and maintenance for hydraulic hose fittings. In these cases, call in a company that specializes in hydraulic hose fittings and equipment. From custom hydraulic hose fittings to 24-hour service, you're certain to find a company that can meet your needs.

I recommend: Holland P.T. specializes in repairs and installation of hydraulic hoses and fittings, and can even help with recommendations and suggestions that keep maintenance costs down. Central Hydraulics has a state-of-the-art service center and a mobile service truck equipped with a wide array of fittings for maintenance and repair on your hydraulic equipment.