By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I’ve been in the fluid power industry for over two decades, and I’ve made precisely one hydraulic tube, which was an assignment for one of my hydraulic classes at Mohawk College. Despite my personal lack of man-hours bending tubes, every hydraulic professional should understand the principles of tube bending. I’m […]
Why proactive hose inspection matters
Preventing downtime before it starts is crucial to safe, cost-effective and reliable hose assemblies. By Trey Travis, Vice President of Operations, Southeastern Hose In manufacturing environments, reliability is everything. Production schedules and worker safety all depend on systems operating as intended. While pumps and control systems often receive significant attention during maintenance planning, industrial hose […]
New central location drove NAHAD Annual Meeting attendance
At its 42nd Annual Meeting & Annual Convention in May at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, NAHAD welcomed an outstanding turnout, including its largest group of first-time attendees and industry professionals, reflecting the continued growth and momentum of the community. With more than 120 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, innovations, and services, there were ample […]
Why proper hose crimping is critical to uptime, repeatability and traceability
By Chad Peters, Product Manager for Equipment & Hydraulic Fittings at Continental For hose distributors, hose assembly shops and hose service operators, crimping is more than a routine production step. It is the process that joins the hose and fitting so the finished assembly can perform as intended. When the crimp is done correctly, it supports […]
Danfoss officially signs definitive agreement to acquire Alfagomma
Today Danfoss announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Alfagomma, a global manufacturer of hoses and fittings headquartered in Vimercate, Italy. The acquisition supports the strategic focus to accelerate profitable growth in line with Danfoss’ long-term strategy. Alfagomma will become part of the Fluid Conveyance division, a core business within the Danfoss Power […]
Hydraulic hose fundamentals: a review of their design and uses
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hose assemblies are critical components in fluid power systems, responsible for transferring pressurized fluid as a force transfer method to and from components such as pumps, cylinders, valves, and motors. Understanding the fundamentals of hydraulic hose is essential for ensuring system reliability, efficiency, and safety in both industrial and […]
Danfoss enters exclusivity agreement regarding the acquisition of Alfagomma
Last week, Danfoss announced that it has entered into an exclusivity agreement to conclude the acquisition of Alfagomma. Danfoss said the intention to acquire Alfagomma aligns with Danfoss’ LEAP 2030 strategy, part of which is to accelerate profitable growth within the Fluid Conveyance division, a core business within the Danfoss Power Solutions segment. Alfagomma, headquartered […]
How does hoop stress impact microbore hose design
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hoop stress. It’s a real term, and it’s not discussed nearly enough in fluid power. Hoop stress describes the circumferential stress against a tube, cylinder or circular wall caused by internal pressure acting outward. If you visualize the steel bands that circle a wine barrel, you get the idea. But […]
Continental launches the PC125i smart service crimper
Continental’s group sector ContiTech has launched the PC125i crimper, the company’s newest smart service crimper on the heels of the successful PC160i released in 2024, designed and manufactured in the United States to support efficient, precise hose assembly in the field and shop environments. The PC125i crimper features ContiTech’s latest CrimpIQ Pro Mode technology, offering […]
How do you size hydraulic flanges?
Hydraulic flanges may look simple from the outside, but they are among the more technically demanding connection points in a hydraulic circuit. A flange is far more than a method for attaching hose or pipe to pumps, valves or manifolds — it is a pressure-containing interface whose dimensions, geometry and material selection directly affect system […]
Caplugs brings focus on hose protection to CONEXPO
At CONEXPO/CON-AGG earlier this month, Caplugs highlighted its growing focus on hose protection products, particularly spiral wraps and related protective components designed for heavy equipment and industrial hydraulic systems. The company is expanding both its product assortment and its market approach as it works to increase adoption of hose protection solutions among OEMs, distributors and […]
Hannay Reels to display hose and cable reels at CONEXPO 2026
Hannay Reels will showcase custom hose and cable reel solutions for construction applications at CONEXPO 2026 in Las Vegas. Hannay Reels products are used in construction applications including air, water and fuel delivery, welding and cutting operations, hydraulic and pneumatic power tools, washdown and on-site electricity for lighting, generators and power tools. N400 Spring Rewind […]
A designer’s guide to hose assemblies
Like their fitting and adapter brethren, hydraulic hose assemblies are often an afterthought to the hydraulic designer. I’d rather be working on crafting a unique hydraulic circuit as well, but we shouldn’t forget the importance of a holistic approach to machine design. Your fluid power technicians are an essential piece of the puzzle to ensure […]
Alkon introduces DuraLink DOT tubing for use with its push-to-connect fittings
Alkon Corp. introduced its new DuraLink DOT tubing, which now pairs with Alkon’s DOT push-to-connect fittings to deliver exceptional durability, strength, and consistency across a wide range of applications. DuraLink DOT tubing is manufactured in the United States to provide dependable supply and stable lead times. It exceeds SAE J844 and DOT FMVSS 49 CFR […]
How to stop hose expansion in its tracks
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I’ll bet you didn’t even know hose expansion was a thing, did you? Sure, we know that hydraulic hose is made primarily from synthetic rubber, which is pliable and soft. Indeed, the whole point of using rubber is to add flexibility to the plumbing routing options, literally and figuratively. The […]
Danfoss acquires Hydro Holding to expand European fittings footprint
Danfoss Power Solutions said it has completed its acquisition of hose fittings manufacturer Hydro Holding Spa after receiving the required approvals. Danfoss said the deal adds fittings manufacturing operations in Italy and the Czech Republic, along with about 350 employees. “We’re pleased to welcome Hydro Holding employees to Danfoss Power Solutions. This talented team will […]
A designer’s guide to fittings and adapters
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor The hydraulic designer most frequently creates a hydraulic schematic to represent the entirety of the hydraulic pumps, valves, actuators, accessories, and plumbing of a machine. After the first sketch is pencilled, the circuit is migrated to CAD software for refinement, while the bill of materials is systematically populated to reflect […]
Aeroquip by Danfoss hydraulic hose offers flexibility, lower weight to tractors
Danfoss Power Solutions launched its Aeroquip by Danfoss GH888 Main Pump Hose at Agritechnica this week, a two-wire braided hydraulic hose designed for the main pump line on tractors. It can be used in place of four-wire spiral hose in this application, offering greater flexibility, reduced weight, increased heat resistance, and lower total cost of […]
Lightweight air and multipurpose Vantage hose is designed for everyday use
Continental’s group sector ContiTech announced the launch of its new Continental Vantage hose product line engineered to provide dependable performance across a broad range of air and multipurpose applications. The Vantage line introduces two versatile hose options, including Vantage Nitrile and Vantage EPDM available in both 200 and 300 psi working pressures. Each is designed […]
Danfoss grows hose business with Italian fittings manufacturer acquisition
Danfoss Power Solutions announced Tuesday that it will acquire Hydro Holding Spa, a manufacturer of hose fittings headquartered in Castello d’Argile, Italy. Hydro Holding will become part of Danfoss Power Solutions’ Fluid Conveyance division, led by Domenico Traverso. The acquisition supports the division’s strategic focus to accelerate profitable growth in line with Danfoss’ LEAP 2030 […]
ContiTech opens new hydraulics plant in Mexico
Continental’s ContiTech group sector opened a new hydraulics production facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The plant supports ContiTech’s efforts to strengthen local supply chains, expand its manufacturing presence in the Americas, and advance its “in the region, for the region” strategy. The grand opening event was attended by officials from the state of Aguascalientes, led by […]
What are the advantages of hydraulic swivel joints?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses are stressed in two directions — bending and rotating. Hose is designed with reinforced steel spirals or mesh weave, making it perfect for bending, even while internal force exerts stress upon the hose. Torque, on the other hand, makes friends with no hydraulic hose. If you’ve ever tried […]
Preventing hazards with safe, reliable hose designs
Utility equipment requires special non-conductive components and safe hose designs to ensure bucket lifts stay elevated and spark-free. Contributed by Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Some sub-genres of hydraulics are pretty generic, with little in the way of unique requirements due to application, environment or purpose. Industrial hydraulics, by and large, fits into the generally generic […]
When should you use plastic fitting materials?
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth and final in a multi-part series on materials used in fluid power hose fittings. We will cover carbon steel, stainless steel, and brass. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor It’s hard to overstate the relevance of one of the most important inventions of all time – plastic. As you read […]
NAHAD announces speakers for its Hose Safety Institute training in Denver
NAHAD will host another Hose Safety Institute (HSI) Hands-On Training, October 20-21, 2025, in Denver. The comprehensive program is designed to deepen attendee’s expertise in hose safety, system design, and strategic sales practices. Led by experienced industry professionals, this training will provide insights into STAMPED hose selection, interpreting Safety Data Sheets, and developing effective customer […]