Types of Hydraulic Hoses

A hydraulic hose is only as reliable as its match to the job. Choosing the right type means matching the hose to your system’s working pressure, the fluid it carries, the operating temperature, and how tightly it has to bend. Here’s a plain-English guide to the main hose types we supply and fabricate, and where each one fits.

Wire-braid hoses: medium to high pressure

Wire-braid hoses use one or two layers of high-tensile steel braid for reinforcement. They are the everyday workhorse of most hydraulic systems, balancing pressure capacity with flexibility.

• Single-wire braid (EN 853 1SN, ≈ SAE 100R1): medium-pressure lines such as power steering, return lines, and general equipment.
• Two-wire braid (EN 853 2SN, ≈ SAE 100R2): higher-pressure circuits on excavators, loaders, and industrial machinery.

Spiral-wire hoses: very high pressure

For high-impulse, high-pressure applications, spiral hoses wrap four (or more) alternating layers of heavy steel wire around the tube. Standards such as EN 856 4SP and 4SH suit heavy construction and mining equipment where pressure spikes are constant and fatigue resistance is critical.

Thermoplastic hoses: light and compact

Thermoplastic hoses replace the rubber core with a tough plastic inner and lighter reinforcement. They are lighter to handle, route into tighter spaces, and resist abrasion well, making them common on aerial lifts, hand tools, and compact machinery.

PTFE (Teflon) hoses: chemical & high-temperature

When the media is aggressive (strong chemicals, fuels, or high-temperature fluids), a PTFE-lined hose handles what standard rubber cannot. It is the go-to choice for chemical transfer, steam, and hot-oil lines thanks to its very wide temperature range and near-universal chemical compatibility.

Suction & return-line hoses: low pressure, high flow

Not every line is high-pressure. Large-bore suction and return hoses move fluid back to the reservoir at low pressure but high volume, often built with an internal wire helix so the hose will not collapse under vacuum.

How to choose the right hose

When in doubt, match these five things. If you are unsure, bring us a sample of the old hose and we will identify it and fabricate a replacement on the spot:

• Working & peak pressure (psi / bar)
• Fluid or media type
• Operating temperature
• Minimum bend radius
• End-fitting type and thread standard

Want to see the ranges we stock? Browse our Hydraulic Hoses catalog: single-wire, two-wire, four-wire spiral, thermoplastic, and PTFE, with custom-fabricated assemblies cut to your spec.