Hydraulic leak messed up my precision lift

During a tight placement, a hose burst and fluid sprayed everywhere. I managed to set it down safe, but the cleanup was a nightmare. What's the best way to check hoses before a critical lift?

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3 Comments

the_lee6mo ago

Ever done the old hand test along the hose while it's under pressure? Feeling for any weird bulges or soft spots can catch stuff you might not see.

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troyfox6mo ago

But what do you do when you actually find a soft spot? Do you mark it and keep an eye on it, or is that an instant sign to just replace the whole line right then? I've never been totally sure where that line is.

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vale196mo ago

Feeling for bulges under pressure sounds like a good way to get a surprise shower of hydraulic fluid. That hand test is pretty outdated and can be dangerous if the hose fails while you're touching it. A visual inspection with the system off and a pressure test with gauges is much smarter. You might not catch every weak spot by hand, but you'll avoid wearing fluid as a new outfit. Always replace any hose that shows signs of wear before a critical lift, no questions asked.

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