Hydraulic hose assemblies

01

Rate the assembly for pressure, fluid and temperature

Parker's safety guide for hose, tubing and fittings requires that the published maximum working pressures of the hose and fittings be equal to or greater than the maximum system pressure; an assembly's maximum working pressure is the lower of the two. Surge or peak transient pressures must also stay below the hose's maximum working pressure, and Parker notes that measuring them takes fast electronic instrumentation, as mechanical gauges show only averages. Published burst pressure is for manufacturing tests only and does not permit use at or near burst. [1]

Fluid and ambient temperatures, steady and transient, must stay within the hose's limits, with insulation near hot objects, and the hose tube, cover, reinforcement and fitting seals must all be compatible with the fluid. Hose length must allow for motion absorption, length change under pressure and machine tolerances; Parker cites testing to SAE J517 for hydraulic applications. [1]

Sinopulse, a supplier linked to this page, describes a hose assembly as hose plus end fittings, gives maximum working pressure as its catalogue rating, to be adjusted for temperature and for pressure peaks or water hammer, and lists hose families including SAE 100R1–R19 and EN 853 1SN/2SN and EN 856 4SP/4SH. [2]

For the wire-braid families, EN 853:2026 — which replaced EN 853:2015 on 4 May 2026 — covers four types, 1SN, 2SN, 1ST and 2ST, in nominal bores from 5 to 76. It rates them for hydraulic fluids to ISO 6743-4 (except all flame-retardant HFD fluids) from −40 °C to +100 °C, water-based fluids from −40 °C to +70 °C and water from 0 °C to +70 °C, and states that the hoses are not suitable for castor-oil-based or ester-based fluids. It sets no requirements for end fittings — it is limited to the performance of hoses and hose assemblies — and hoses for underground mining are covered by other documents. [3]

Editorial note: because EN 853 does not cover end fittings, the fitting's own pressure rating and the crimp specification still decide the assembly rating under Parker's lower-of-the-two rule; and a water-based fluid limits a 1SN or 2SN hose to +70 °C, 30 °C below its mineral-oil limit. [3] [1]

Editorial calculation: if a hose is rated 3,000 psi and its fittings 2,500 psi, the assembly is rated 2,500 psi under Parker's rule, so it suits a system whose maximum and surge pressures stay below 2,500 psi. [1]

Give the supplier the maximum system and surge pressure, fluid type, fluid and ambient temperature range, hose size, length and routing (bend radius, motion), end fittings and port standards, environment (abrasion, UV, heat sources), any sleeve or guard, and test or certification requirements.

02

Read a 2SN hose data table: pressure, burst and bend radius by size

Manuli Hydraulics' TRACTOR/2SN hose, built to EN 853 2SN, SAE 100 R2AT and ISO 1436 2SN/R2AT, has an oil-resistant synthetic rubber tube, two high-tensile steel braids and a weather-resistant synthetic rubber cover, with a continuous service range of −40 °C to 100 °C and MSHA and CU-TR approvals. Its technical data show maximum working pressure falling and minimum bend radius rising as the bore grows, with burst pressure at four times working pressure for each size listed. [4]

Manuli lists mineral oils, vegetable and rape seed oils, glycol and polyglycol based oils, synthetic ester based oils, oils in aqueous emulsion and water as fluids for this hose, and states that its digital crimp tools are the only official source of crimping parameters, warning against mixing hoses and fittings from different makers. [4] Editorial note: EN 853:2026 states that its hoses are not suitable for ester-based fluids [3], while this maker lists synthetic ester based oils for its own 2SN hose, so confirm fluid compatibility with the hose maker for the exact product rather than from the standard type alone.

Editorial calculation: in each row of the table, burst ÷ maximum working pressure = 4.0 (for example 1,600 ÷ 400 bar for DN 6 and 1,100 ÷ 275 bar for DN 12). Moving from DN 6 to DN 12 lowers the working pressure by 125 bar (31 %) and raises the minimum bend radius from 100 to 178 mm, so check both values for the size actually ordered. [4]

03

Install, crimp and maintain safely

Parker requires that hose and fittings be crimped or swaged only with the listed machine and dies to its published instructions, that permanent fittings never be reused, and that fittings not be assembled onto hose already used in service. Installing below the minimum bend radius may significantly reduce hose life, particularly at the hose-to-fitting juncture, and a hose kinked during installation must be discarded; installation must not twist the hose through machine motion or when tightening fittings, and restraints and guards must not create new wear points. After installation, air must be purged and the system pressurised to its maximum to check for leaks, with people kept out of hazardous areas. [1]

Parker lists conditions that require immediate shutdown and replacement: fitting slippage on the hose; a damaged, cracked, cut or abraded cover with reinforcement exposed; hard, stiff, heat-cracked or charred hose; cracked, damaged or badly corroded fittings; leaks; kinked, crushed, flattened or twisted hose; and blistered, soft, degraded or loose cover. Hose assemblies and seals age and should be replaced at set intervals based on service history, recommendations and risk. [1]

04

Compare what suppliers offer

The suppliers linked to this page list hydraulic hose assemblies or their fittings; their cards link to the pages reviewed.

Ask any supplier for the hose standard and maximum working pressure, fitting type and pressure rating, crimp specification and tooling used, temperature and fluid compatibility, minimum bend radius, impulse and proof test records, length tolerance, protective sleeves and labelling for traceability.

05

Trace the assembly parts

This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.

06

Fill the specification fields with values for your system

A hose assembly quotation needs values for your hydraulic system. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

07

Send the pressure, fluid and routing data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Pressure: [maximum; surges]
Fluid: [type; temperature]
Hose: [size; standard; length]
Routing: [bend radius; motion; guards]
Ends: [fittings; ports; orientation]
Documents: [test records; traceability]

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