Hydraulic Tubing Do’s And Don’ts

Don’t take heavy cuts on thin wall tubing with a tubing cutter. Use light cuts to prevent deformation of the tube end. If the tube end is out or round, a greater possibility of a poor connection exists.

Ream tubing only for removal of burrs. DO NOT over ream tubing as it can weaken the connection.

Do not allow chips to accumulate in the tubing. They can be difficult to remove after bending.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the use of flaring tools. Don’t overtighten the feed screw handle on a compression type flaring tool. Improper use of a tool can cause washout and/or splitting of the flare connection.

Bend tubing instead of cutting and using a fitting. This reduces pressure drop and minimizes system losses. The minimum radius of a tubing bend should be at least three times the inside diameter of the tube. Larger bends are preferred.

Sketch the optimum tubing route before beginning the bending process. Be sure to use tubing with the proper temper to prevent wrinkles and flattened bends.

Most flares are made by hand or power tools that swage the tube end over a split die. The standard flare angle is 37 degrees from the centerline. For best results, heavy wall tubing should be cut, deburred, and flared and bent using power equipment.

For information on sealing technology, or how to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid, refer to “Leakage Control” in this catalog.