Hydraulic hose replacement Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   10/24/2012 4:10 PM

   Quick question as some of us wind down to an off season. How often do you replace hydraulic hoses? Is it yearly time frame? Hour time frame? Is it different if it's a triplex greens mower?
   We currently replace hoses as they fail. If we see a hose nicked or rubbed or something similar during a service we will replace it at that time. But we do not follow a specific "after x number of years or hours" we replace hoses regardless.
   
   We currently have a Toro 3150 with almost 1900 hours and it was purchased in 2008 middle of the season. I'm thinking of having all the hoses replaced or at least the high pressure ones. We did have a hose fail on our second green about 2 months ago. That's what is making me think about replacing the others.
   
   Appreciate all of your opinions.
   
   Thanks! Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   10/25/2012 6:10 AM

   Just curious Mel did the hose that failed have any nicks?

   
   
   
   
3. Baker Daniel

   
   10/25/2012 6:10 AM

   Mel,
   
   We replace ours based on visual inspection of the hose and fittings. Down here we have fittings rust and fail as well as pin holes/blow outs in the hose. I don't know of anyone on a regular hose replacement schedule. This could be a very interesting thread.

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   10/25/2012 7:10 AM

   Mark,
   
   I'll have to check with our mechanic and see if they saw a nick or cut in it. The hose is covered by those plastic protective cover that Toro installed at the factory.
   
   Where I do remember talk of a replacement schedule (I think, but it was back in 85) was at Lake City (Florida Gateway for you youngsters). I thought in our equipment management course there was a hose replacement talk, I thought it was every three years. Of course hoses have probably made much improvements since then, or maybe more courses have switched to walk mowing, storage of equipment inside etc.? Of course the bigger concern is a hose letting loose on a green.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. Keith Fellenstein

   

   0 posts
   
   10/25/2012 10:10 AM

   If we used anything with hydraulic on greens, I would replace them on a regular schedule, we don't. As it is, on Tee, Fairway, and Rough machines, we replace as they fail. Not too long ago, we would replace them every year or other year depending on hours, but shrinking budget and escalating parts prices have forced us to try something different.

   
   
   
   
6. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   10/25/2012 11:10 AM

   Thanks Keith,
   
   Another question to this thread, when replacing hoses how many of you might make your own or have an outside company do it, or buy from the manufacturer. I suppose the only time one would buy from the manufacturer would be if stocking spare hoses, or out in an area with limited hose rebuild options?
   
   Currently we have a place in town we run the hoses over to and the rebuild it.
   
   When I worked for a park system in NJ, mostly due to how purchasing worked, we talked the county into buying us a hose making machine to be at one of the county's 4 courses, (I think that happened I left before it was finalized). Otherwise we would have to get a price, then PO signed and then order or pick one up. Luckily we had spare machines so typically we call the manufacturer, get a price, fill out the PO, go stand in line at the park office and beg the guy to stamp it for us.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
7. Spotts David A

   
   10/25/2012 5:10 PM

   We replace as visual inspection dictates. Spent a lot of money once replacing every 4 years and had a new hose fail after 3 months ,on a green. We still get our hoses at the same hydraulic shop and have never had another problem like that.

   
   
   
   
8. Dinger Greg

   
   10/25/2012 10:10 PM

   Toro says every two years, or 2000hrs for moving hoses.
   
   Back before golf, I was in the auto parts aftermarket, where I built miles of hose. I built hose before I could buy beer, sadly. We have a Gates machine (same as what I used to sell) in our shop curently, and I replace anything close to a green every two years. I'm overdue for many others, but I keep a close eye on those.
   
   Funny fact. I priced out a major replacement last fall, for our fairway units. I gave the napa guy a heads up on a big purchase, me building them. I was tying in to his major drop ship order. I also told my Toro guy what I wanted. My Toro guys sharpened the pencil, and napa couldn't touch it, by hundreds of dollars, even with me assembling them, so I ordered Toro. They drop shipped direct from their supplier and the fit was just like textbook.

   
   
   
   
9. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   10/26/2012 6:10 AM

   I had a toro mechanic give a class at our course in the 90's and he talked about nicks and routing.He said slight twists in the hoses when tightening reel motors caused most problems.

   
   
   
   
10. David Brandenburg

    

    3 posts
    
    10/26/2012 8:10 AM

    We replace the primary triplex greens mowers every 3rd season, verticut, rolling, cleanup and tee triplex mowers every 6 years. The fairway mowers are inspected closely every year and any hoses with rubs or knicks are replaced.
    
    Usually hoses are made locally.

    
    
    
    
11. John Borcher

    

    0 posts
    
    10/29/2012 5:10 PM

    We are cheep and most times wait till they blow. Sometimes we replace ones that show major wear but that is only on greens mowers and only if we have time to pull it off and take it the the parts store for a new one to be made.

    
    
    
    
12. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    10/29/2012 6:10 PM

    Mel,
    
    We replace after the blow and if we see one that is worn. No real preventative schedule. We own our own machine and keep just about any and every fitting in stock. We also use a MegaFlex hose, which can tolerate the movement that our reels see when they go up and down better than a standard hose.