For anyone maintaining hydraulic systems or designing new ones, the hose selection process isn’t something to treat lightly. Incorrect hose selection can result in leaks, pressure loss, downtime, or system failure that costs far more than the hose itself. Selecting the right hose and fittings means aligning product capabilities with the demands of your system. Pressure, temperature, fluid, and environment all matter.
This article covers the essential criteria for selecting a hose that works and explains why Tompkins Canada and Intertraco are trusted by MRO and OEM buyers across industries.
Understand the Demands of Your Application
Pressure Rating
Start by identifying the maximum working pressure of your system. Selecting a hose rated below your system’s maximum pressure introduces risk, especially in systems with pressure spikes. Intertraco’s hydraulic hoses and fittings are built to handle high-pressure applications with dependable performance.
Temperature Range
Hydraulic hoses operate within a range of internal fluid and ambient temperatures. If the hose material isn’t designed for these conditions, it may harden, crack, or degrade. Systems exposed to heat sources, cold weather, or both need hose assemblies that can withstand those extremes without loss of flexibility or sealing capability.
Fluid Compatibility
Every hose’s inner tube must resist chemical breakdown from the fluid it carries. Mineral oils, synthetic blends, and water-based fluids all require specific material pairings. Compatibility reduces risk of delamination, blockages, or contamination. Tompkins helps match hoses to your fluid type, removing guesswork from the spec process.
Don’t Overlook Hose Geometry and Flow
Selecting the correct diameter is only part of the equation. The bend radius of the hose, and the flow profile of the fitting, both impact overall system efficiency. Tight bends can reduce flow and put stress on the hose wall, which shortens service life.
Intertraco’s products are compact and flexible, making them ideal for space-constrained installations where performance can’t be sacrificed for convenience.
Material and Environment Matter
In harsh environments, the outer hose cover becomes a frontline defense. Constant exposure to UV, ozone, chemicals, or abrasive surfaces can degrade unprotected hoses quickly. Intertraco hoses come in a range of cover options, and brass hydraulic hose fittings are a smart choice for environments with corrosion risks or frequent washdowns. The product line supports a wide spectrum of industries, including agriculture, construction, material handling, and heavy equipment manufacturing.
The Value of Choosing the Right Supplier
Specs alone don’t deliver results. Access to technical guidance, stock availability, and turnaround time all influence project timelines and equipment uptime.
Tompkins Canada offers same-day shipping for in-stock products, fast response times on quotes, and a complete range of Intertraco products, all backed by ISO 9001:2015 certified quality control. Their team works with OEM and MRO customers to ensure hose assemblies are correctly specified and delivered without delay.
A responsive supplier is critical. Timely access to hydraulic hoses, connectors, and fittings can determine if your operation stays on track or falls behind.
Top-Tier Assemblies from Tompkins and Intertraco
If you’re currently comparing suppliers or evaluating performance issues in your existing assemblies, it’s a good time to reassess. Hose selection should match not only pressure and temperature ratings, but also installation layout, environmental exposure, and service life expectations.
The right solution reduces downtime, improves reliability, and helps protect other system components. A poorly chosen hose can cause problems that ripple across the entire operation.
Tompkins Canada combines technical expertise, product access, and responsive support to make the buying process clear and efficient. Intertraco hoses, when properly selected and maintained, deliver the safety, reliability, and performance critical to long-term system success. Paired with Tompkins’ fast delivery and knowledgeable service, you get dependable assemblies built to meet your demands.
Don’t Get Sidelined by the Wrong Hose
Ready to move forward? Start your online order with Tompkins Canada and get dependable assemblies shipped fast.