Hydraulic systems are vital to the operation of industrial equipment and heavy machinery.  They are integral from the manufacturing of parts to systems that power agricultural combines.  In any application, hydraulic hoses can fail due to selection of the wrong hose over pressurizing, improper installation of fittings and more.  Yet a commonly overlooked potential hazard is extreme temperatures.  Both high and low temperatures can a have significant effect on the efficiency, performance, and safety of a hydraulic system.

Beliefs and behaviors are constantly changing due to economic and social developments in today’s world. Factoring the pandemic, labor challenges and rising inflation, companies spend and evaluate projects differently. You must optimize the supply chain to meet the changing needs of current and future markets.

Braided Hydraulic Hose

Designing your system with quality components and strong relationships

Fluid conductors describe the different types of conducting lines that interconnect components within a hydraulic system. They provide a leak-free transmission of high-pressure hydraulic fluid and are key to the performance of a system.

Fittings are used to connect hoses, pipes and tubes to hydraulic systems. They maintain a quality seal and hose pressure, also reducing the risk of torquing. But, when looking at the different types of fittings for hoses, it’s easy to get confused. There are many shapes, materials, threading and sealing types.

Hydraulic systems are found in a wide variety of applications, from small assembly processes to large capacity integrated steel mills, earth moving equipment, chemical and food & beverage processing, aerospace and just about anywhere where there is a need to control the movement of some type of mechanism. Hydraulics enable significant work to be accomplished from lifting heavy loads, oil and gas drilling, turning mining augers and much more.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has added an extra layer of uncertainty to supply chains and markets around the world. Specifically, the conflict has greatly impacted the nickel industry.

We believe it's important to learn the basics of hydraulic fittings since they help contain and direct the flow of hydraulic fluid in the conductor. They prevent leaks and maintain pressure. Therefore, for April and May, we'll be testing your fitting knowledge by asking a series of questions. One winner will win a thread ID kit and be featured in our blog. You must fill in the form below and answer in the comment field or LinkedIn poll be entered and notified. 

What is the most commonly used metric fitting globally?
A. German style
B. British style
C. Japanese style
D. None of the above

What are the two commonly used materials for push-to-connect fittings?
A. Aluminum and Steel
B. Brass and Composite
C. Brass and Titanium
D. None of the above

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) includes the interconnecting of devices such as instruments, sensors, valves, and other components which are networked together via intelligent software in industrial applications. The connectivity of components provides a higher degree of automation which allows for the collection, exchange, and analysis of data improving productivity and efficiency while increasing system control and reducing costs. IIoT-enabled valves can identify and communicate data about the liquids or gasses that pass through them and the environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and airflow.

A study presented by The American Farm Bureau Federation shows that 29% of American jobs are tied to food and agriculture. Even with the recent pandemic and changes to the world economy, the industry has remained resilient to provide Americans with jobs, economic opportunity, and safe food. The report’s findings show that 7% of the nation’s economy and 29% of American jobs are linked to the food and agriculture sectors, either directly or indirectly. Amidst the global supply chain and inflation crises, these sectors also exported $182.91 billion worth of goods, helping the U.S. maintain its position as a leading player in global agriculture. In 2021 these sectors contributed a total of $3.01 trillion to the U.S. economy. In helping to continue spurring this trend in America and around the world, the agricultural industry has seen significant advancements over the years due to innovations in hydraulic equipment. Hydraulic systems make agricultural production faster and more efficient, while reducing labor costs. And hydraulic power has resulted in several advantages for agricultural machinery, which in turn has increased efficiencies, ultimately increasing the quality and reduced costs of food products.

Like other instrumentation components, the connection sizes of valves in process instrumentation are characteristically small, ranging from 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) to 1 inch (25.4 mm).