Hydraulic hose spiral wrap, explained
A guide to spiral wrap hose protectors
In this guide, we’ll help you understand spiral hose guards and spiral hose wrap, or as they’re also known as, hose protectors and spiral hose protectors. We’ll cover:
What is spiral hose guard?
Spiral hose guard is critical to ensuring that your hydraulic and pneumatic hose assemblies perform to expected standards.
Consider what industrial hoses are up against. Hydraulic hose typically operates in demanding environments, where abrasion, crushing loads, UV rays, chemicals and flying debris present constant threats. The most common cause of damage results from hoses rubbing against each other.
If the hose fails, you’re looking at the cost of clean-up, disposal and replacing hydraulic oil. You also have to contend with the collateral damage to other components, which can also be caused by contaminants. And of course, machine downtime presents yet more costs.
All of these possibilities make hydraulic spiral wrap critical to your hose assemblies. Hose spiral wrap provides a physical barrier between the hose and these threats, prolonging the life of your hose and saving you the stress and expense caused by damage.
Before starting your project, we strongly recommend that you learn more about hose in our guide What are the components of a hydraulic hose assembly?
Types of plastic hose protectors
Hose wraps are available in metal or plastic. This article focuses on wrap, but there are other types of protection available, which you can learn about in our guide Hydraulic hose protection to ensure safe designs and also A guide to hydraulic hose sleeves.
First, let’s look at the two most popular plastic wraps:
Spiral guard hose protector
Hydraulic hose protection wrap spirals around the hose and can be installed before or after the hose assembly is mounted.
The example here is part of Essentra Component’s range of TECTORGUARD® Spiral Hose Guards. With a double-beveled design and excellent anti-crushing properties, this particular hose wrap prevents snagging and abrasions. Made of a flexible HDPE, it’s ideal for smaller hydraulic and pneumatic hose, providing good memory, UV protection and requiring less pressure on the hose radius curve.
Spiral hose guards are also helpful for bundling hydraulic hose for a clean appearance – as often done in automotive – while protecting the hose from punctures and abrasions.
Use for: Tractors, lifts and cranes, robotics, automated manufacturing
For heavier-duty applications, spiral wrap for hydraulic hoses with mining safety approval is also available. Fire-resistant anti-static (FRAS) hose spiral guard offers additional protection for more demanding applications.
Use for: Underground, such as mining, quarrying, drilling, offshore oil & gas construction, marine sub-sea and agriculture
Hose wear protectors
When only a limited area of the hose comes into contact with other surfaces, there’s no need to cover the entire assembly. In these situations, an economical solution is hose wear protectors, also known as point-of-contact protectors, which are attached to the hose using cable ties as seen here.
The molded grooves prevent the ties from slipping and wearing prematurely. Made of flexible, durable PVC, they’re easy to assemble and remove.
Use for: Hydraulic hose, fuel and oil lines, brake systems, wiring harnesses and battery cables.
Comparing spiral guard plastics
HDPE and PVC share many of the same characteristics, as seen below. Keep in mind that materials, whether metals or plastic, can be enhanced with additives to obtain higher levels of the properties you’re interested in.
Sizing spiral hydraulic hose wrap
To determine the size and the quantity needed is a straightforward process:
- Determine the outside diameter (OD) of your hose or bundle.
- Match the manufacturer’s hose wrap to the hose OD.
- If the hose OD is at the top of the wrap’s ID range, use the next size up to ensure smooth installation.
Essentra Components makes it easy to determine the right size wrap. Online, you can choose to view each wrap’s specifications in inches or metric sizes. It tells you exactly what hose diameter each size wrap is compatible with. Simply look for your hose diameter and you’ll have the size wrap you need. Below is an example of the same wrap in inches:
Spiral Guard Wrap simply slides over the hose end and along the length. Any fittings present on the hose are not a problem. The spiral expands as you wrap it to accommodate your assembly. Note: keep in mind that if you are wrapping around fittings, this will shorten the spiral’s length, and thus the coverage for your hose.
The fastest way to install spiral wrap is to use a special tool. Types vary, but they all facilitate the spiral installation. A common handheld tool opens the spiral for you, making the manual rolling easier. You can also use a mounting installation tool and drill, which you attach to the fitting at the end of the hose. Manually wrap the spiral guard over the hose a few times. Then use the drill, which turn the hose and with it, the spiral guard. This type of installation is especially quick.
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.