Hydraulic Hose Inspection: A 5-Minute Safety Checklist

A hydraulic hose rarely fails without warning — the warnings are just easy to ignore. This checklist takes five minutes and catches the vast majority of failures before they put anyone at risk.

Look for these signs

• Abrasion: fabric or wire reinforcement showing through the cover
• Cracks and weather checking, especially near fittings
• Blisters, bubbles or soft spots — the inner tube is separating
• Corroded, damaged or slowly weeping fittings
• Kinks or a crushed section — permanently reduced pressure rating
• Twisting: the lay line should run straight along the hose

Never do this

Never search for a leak with your hands. Fluid escaping a pinhole at working pressure can penetrate skin and cause a serious injection injury. Use a piece of cardboard along the hose, and depressurize the system before replacing anything.