If you work in South Australia, you know how brutal the weather can be. In summer, the average daytime temperature in places like the Barossa Valley and Murray Bridge often reaches around 30°C, but can regularly soar past 40°C on the hottest days. In the Adelaide Hills and around Mount Barker, it’s slightly cooler but still hot, with averages around 27°C and frequent days over 35°C.
For a range of local industries, these extreme temperatures, combined with constant UV radiation, are the biggest enemies of your hydraulic hoses. Here’s a look at how this impacts key industries.
How South Australian Conditions Affect Your Hoses
A hose is designed to handle immense pressure, but it can’t handle extreme heat and sun forever. Here’s a quick look at how the intense weather causes the main types of damage.
- Cracking and Fraying: This is a direct result of the hose’s outer layer losing its flexibility. Over time, the heat and UV rays break down the rubber, making it brittle. When the hose flexes with normal use, tiny fractures appear, which then deepen and fray. You might start seeing these visible signs in as little as 6 to 12 months of constant outdoor exposure, especially with high daily usage.
- Discolouration: The UV rays from the sun break down the chemical bonds in the hose’s outer cover. This causes the colour to fade and become chalky, a clear sign that the material’s strength is being compromised. This can often be one of the first visible signs of damage.
- Hardening and Leaks: Prolonged exposure to heat causes the rubber to lose its elasticity and become stiff. A hard hose can’t handle the pressure surges and flexing it was designed for. This loss of flexibility makes it much more prone to internal failure, leading to leaks at the fittings or along the hose body.
Your Proactive Maintenance Checklist
A little bit of regular maintenance goes a long way. Use this simple checklist to keep your hoses in top shape:
- Inspect Regularly: Make checking your hoses part of your daily routine. Look for any of the signs of damage mentioned above.
- Clean Them: Wipe away any dirt, dust, and grime to help you spot small problems.
- Check for Leaks: Look for any drips or wet spots around the hose and its fittings. Even a small leak is a warning sign.
- Use Protective Covers: Consider using sleeves on hoses exposed to direct sunlight or rubbing.
- Route Them Right: Make sure hoses aren’t touching hot surfaces or moving parts.
In-Depth “How-To” Guides
To truly protect your investment in Adelaide’s climate, you need to take some specific steps.
1. How to Prevent Hydraulic Hose Failure in the Heat
The best way to prevent heat-related failure is to keep the hoses cool. If possible, reroute the hoses away from hot engine parts and exhaust systems. You can also install heat shields or fireproof sleeves over hoses that are close to these heat sources. A well-designed hydraulic system should already have hoses rated for high temperatures, but adding extra protection is always a good idea in our climate.
2. How to Protect Hydraulic Hoses from UV Radiation
Since the sun is a major threat, you can use physical barriers to protect your hoses. This includes:
- Nylon Sleeves: These covers are a cost-effective way to protect hoses from UV rays and also help prevent abrasion damage.
- Spiral Wraps: A tougher option that also protects against impact damage.
- Hose Guards: Plastic or metal guards can be fitted over the hoses to keep them completely shielded from the sun’s rays.
3. How to Inspect Hydraulic Hoses for Damage
Your inspection should be more than a quick look. Here’s how you can do it properly:
- Look and Feel: Carefully check the entire length of the hose. Look for cracks, bulges, or frayed outer layers. Also, feel the hose to check for spots that are noticeably harder or softer than the rest.
- Check Fittings: The metal parts where the hose connects are the fittings. Make sure they are secure and not leaking.
- The “Bend Test”: Gently bend the hose where it flexes most. If you see any small cracks open up on the outside, it’s a sign that the hose material has become brittle and needs to be replaced.
Repair or Replace? The Economic Choice
While a minor repair might seem cheaper upfront, a full replacement is usually the most economical and safest choice. A repair might fix one problem, but it doesn’t solve the overall damage to the rest of the hose caused by heat or age. A full replacement gives you a brand-new hose that is ready to handle the pressure and conditions you need it to, helping you avoid unexpected downtime and bigger repair costs later on.
If you’re facing hydraulic hose issues or need a new assembly, don’t take any risks. Our team of experts services all of South Australia, with local expertise in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Murray Bridge, and Mount Barker. We can help you with everything from on-site repairs to custom hose assemblies to get your machine back on the job quickly.