Other hoses require frequent inspections to look
for defects, cracking, or corrosion. Hoses need to
look as close to new as possible. Many people put
some type of protection around hoses to protect
them from to protect them from rubbing against
metal. Take these wraps off and inspect behind them
to see if hoses have any abnormal wear out of sight.
If you have to stare at a hose and ask whether it
needs replacing, change it. If you are trying to find
reasons why you ought to keep a hose, replace it.
When inspecting hoses, look for these defects and
replace any that may have one or more of them:
•
Hoses that are stretched, caught, or pulled
as equipment is folded and unfolded
•
Cuts and scrapes
•
Nylon or steel braiding can be seen through
the rubber
•
Kinked hoses where the wire braid is
permanently pinched
•
Scuffed and rubbed areas
•
Burn spots on hoses near a muffler or engine
•
Any permanent deformations on the hose
•
Clear tubing that has turned cloudy and
discolored
•
Blisters and bubbles
•
Soft spots where oil and grease have weakened
the hose’s integrity
•
Dry rot of rubber or cracking of plastic
caused by sunlight
•
Hose ends that bulge from chemical
deterioration
•
Clamps that have moved
•
Clamps that are collapsing the hose
•
Loose clamps should be retightened
or replaced if unable to be refastened
•
Rusted or broken clamps
•
Worn clamp housing, screw, or band
•
Fittings with undue strain, seepage around
them, chaffed, or abraded
This hose failed where it kinked behind the fitting.
This hose failed where it was subject to continuous abrasion.
Kinking can permanently pinch the wire braid in hoses.
Improperly installed hoses can kink and fail.
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