Handling hydraulic hoses requires extra caution in winter — Extension and Ag Research News

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Extreme cold temperatures throughout the winter months can cause challenges to hydraulic hose lines in tractors and machinery.

"The temperature of a piece of machinery can fluctuate from -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes," says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. "The hydraulic hoses on tractors and implements used in the winter months must be in prime condition to withstand the extreme temperature changes we face in the northern Plains."

Hydraulic systems are critical for tractors and machines to work properly and conduct tasks year-round. These systems store fluid under high pressure, typically 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch (psi), up to 3,000 psi.

A hydraulic hose failure could cause extreme machine malfunction, potentially causing severe harm to the operator. Other hydraulic hose hazards include burns, skin penetration, and component failure or collapse.

Burns

Unhooking an implement or making a repair on a hydraulic system can be dangerous if the operator has not released the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic system. This means that if the implement or loader on the tractor is in the raised position, it contains trapped hydraulic fluid that is pressurized. As pressure increases, the operating temperature of modern hydraulic systems can become high enough to cause severe burns if an operator is sprayed with escaping hydraulic oil from a puncture in the line or the immediate release of high pressurized oil from a loose hydraulic fitting.

Safety tips:

Skin penetration

Pinhole leaks in hydraulic hose lines are extremely dangerous. With the naked eye, pinhole leaks can be impossible to see. A common injury involves an operator running their hand or finger over the hose line, where the invisible pinhole leak then penetrates oil into the operator's skin without even knowing it. Immediately after the fluid injection, the operator may only experience a slight stinging sensation in their hand or finger and think nothing of it. After a few hours, the operator may begin to develop severe pain. If not seen by a medical provider immediately, the injury can result in a condition called gangrene, where amputation of the hand or finger is required because of the tissue damage.

Safety tips:

Component failure or collapse

Failure of a hydraulic hose, fitting or seal can cause a rapid release of hydraulic oil, causing the supported component to collapse. Examples of this include a loader on a tractor or a header on a combine. Gradual leaks can also cause components to drop unexpectedly, crushing a worker under the component. A combine header can weigh three tons and crush anyone who may be working underneath it.

Safety tips:

Hydraulic hose and system maintenance

Hydraulic hose systems on tractors and machinery can fail when hoses and oil are not properly maintained. When conditions become cold, hydraulic hoses can become stiff, inelastic, brittle and lose their ability to bend. Cracks in hydraulic hoses can become more prevalent during cold temperatures, meaning visual inspection for cracks, abrasions and oily residues is crucial for equipment maintenance and operator safety.

"Remember, tractors and equipment can be replaced – you, on the other hand, cannot be replaced," says Johnson. "Take time for safety this winter by keeping equipment in proper shape and using safe techniques when equipment repairs and maintenance needs to be made."

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Jan. 18, 2023

Source: Angie Johnson, 701-231-1873, [email protected]

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-5391, [email protected]