standard hydraulic hose diameters?

icehorse

Member

Equipment
L3901, FEL, box blade, tedder rake, mini round baler, rotary cutter
Aug 10, 2022
97
13
8
98261
I have rear hydraulics for my 3901. I have hoses that run from a plate on the tractor to top and tilt cylinders. I know the fittings at the "wide end" of these hoses are 1/2" male / 1/2" female. The hose fittings are a bit narrower on the end that attaches to the cylinders. Are there standard hose diameters? It looks like 3/8" to me, but it could be 7/16? or?

If I go to order hoses, would I say something like: 1/2" male and 3/8" female (if that's what it is, it could be 7/16? is that a thing?)

(I know, I know, doh! :rolleyes: )
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
I have rear hydraulics for my 3901. I have hoses that run from a plate on the tractor to top and tilt cylinders. I know the fittings at the "wide end" of these hoses are 1/2" male / 1/2" female. The hose fittings are a bit narrower on the end that attaches to the cylinders. Are there standard hose diameters? It looks like 3/8" to me, but it could be 7/16? or?

If I go to order hoses, would I say something like: 1/2" male and 3/8" female (if that's what it is, it could be 7/16? is that a thing?)

(I know, I know, doh! :rolleyes: )
Common agricultural hydraulic hose sizes are is 1/4", 3/8". 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 1'. That is the ID of the hose. For any given size hose the OD of the hose can vary based on construction. For example the OD of 1/2" R2 hose is larger diameter than 1/2" R16 hose.

The end fittings do not have to match the hose size and are not a reliable way to ID the hose size. For example you can put 3/8, 1/2", or 3/4" fittings on 3/8" hose. The factory hoses used on the L3901 are typically 3/8".

Dan
 

icehorse

Member

Equipment
L3901, FEL, box blade, tedder rake, mini round baler, rotary cutter
Aug 10, 2022
97
13
8
98261
Common agricultural hydraulic hose sizes are is 1/4", 3/8". 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 1'. That is the ID of the hose. For any given size hose the OD of the hose can vary based on construction. For example the OD of 1/2" R2 hose is larger diameter than 1/2" R16 hose.

The end fittings do not have to match the hose size and are not a reliable way to ID the hose size. For example you can put 3/8, 1/2", or 3/4" fittings on 3/8" hose. The factory hoses used on the L3901 are typically 3/8".

Dan

right! it's really the size of the fitting i'm after!

Is there a common 7/16" fitting, or do fittings general jump from 3/8 to a 1/2?

Again, the female end is meant to attach to a top or tilt hydaulic cylinder. And it's the female end fitting I'm trying to figure out, I've got the male fitting under control.
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
right! it's really the size of the fitting i'm after!

Is there a common 7/16" fitting, or do fittings general jump from 3/8 to a 1/2?

Again, the female end is meant to attach to a top or tilt hydaulic cylinder. And it's the female end fitting I'm trying to figure out, I've got the male fitting under control.
7/16 UNF (=4) is used on 1/4 JIC and SAE hose and tube fittings but 9/16 UNF (-6) is more commonly used.

Dan
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

icehorse

Member

Equipment
L3901, FEL, box blade, tedder rake, mini round baler, rotary cutter
Aug 10, 2022
97
13
8
98261
I've attached a picture of a hose with the correct fittings. (The hose pictured is too long.)

The 90 fitting on top is listed on my dealer invoice as 1/2" male, 1/2" female

The 135 degree fitting on the bottom has a smaller diameter. The unattached fitting in the middle is the same diameter as the fitting on the bottom, I just put it near the top fitting for a size comparison.

So my goal is to be able to order a couple of new (shorter) hoses and say:

I need an X diameter male fitting on one end and a Y diameter fitting on the other end.

I'm guessing the male is 1/2" (?) that seems to be the inside diameter of the 90 degree fitting.
So the female end is a question, maybe 7/16? maybe 3/8? It's had to measure the ID, but it seems like it's 3/8.

Is that a sort of standard hose? 1/2 male - 3/8 female? fittings.jpg
 

MOOTS

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
1,936
2,238
113
Canton, Georgia
I've attached a picture of a hose with the correct fittings. (The hose pictured is too long.)

The 90 fitting on top is listed on my dealer invoice as 1/2" male, 1/2" female

The 135 degree fitting on the bottom has a smaller diameter. The unattached fitting in the middle is the same diameter as the fitting on the bottom, I just put it near the top fitting for a size comparison.

So my goal is to be able to order a couple of new (shorter) hoses and say:

I need an X diameter male fitting on one end and a Y diameter fitting on the other end.

I'm guessing the male is 1/2" (?) that seems to be the inside diameter of the 90 degree fitting.
So the female end is a question, maybe 7/16? maybe 3/8? It's had to measure the ID, but it seems like it's 3/8.

Is that a sort of standard hose? 1/2 male - 3/8 female? View attachment 99043
I see NPT, JIC and ORB there. Those are all different within theirselves.
 

icehorse

Member

Equipment
L3901, FEL, box blade, tedder rake, mini round baler, rotary cutter
Aug 10, 2022
97
13
8
98261
I see NPT, JIC and ORB there. Those are all different within theirselves.
wow! is it common for a single fitting to have one standard at one end and a different standard at the other end?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,549
6,599
113
Sandpoint, ID
Look on the fitting, it will have a number on it.
And yes fitting can be any combination of ends.
 

MOOTS

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
1,936
2,238
113
Canton, Georgia
wow! is it common for a single fitting to have one standard at one end and a different standard at the other end?
The only standard in hydraulic fittings is confusion. If you don’t deal with them daily that is. Lol.

Do what @cthomas said, take the hose you want shortened to Napa or the like and have them make one. May even use your hose to save you a bit of $ if it is new.
 

Alfred_2345

Active member

Equipment
L3901, LA525, BH77, SGC1060, RZ60, Box Blade, Z726XKW ZTM, RTV-X900
Jan 5, 2023
126
58
28
Northwest Arkansas
is it common for a single fitting to have one standard at one end and a different standard at the other end?
If you want to see what is possible:
Unfortunately it's a bare bones website so not much info. You have to know what you want.
Decent prices and shipping isn't to bad.
 

icehorse

Member

Equipment
L3901, FEL, box blade, tedder rake, mini round baler, rotary cutter
Aug 10, 2022
97
13
8
98261
First off, thanks, I appreciate all the feedback!

In an earlier thread, @TheOldHokie said that some hoses are more flexible than others. He specifically mentioned "Gates Megasys MXT" vs. (I guess?), standard R16 hoses.

There just is NOT a lot of room for these hoses between the QH15 and the cylinders, so I think a more flexible hose will be worth it.

I live in a very remote location, but we DO have a NAPA and they will work with me, so thanks for that idea!

I talked to the local NAPA and they are aware of the more flexible hoses, but they don't have the setup to work with them. Mostly we love living in a remote area, but sometimes it's a pain. For me to go to a store like NAPA is a full day, round trip. So I'm hoping to be able to order what I want online...
 
Last edited:

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
First off, thanks, I appreciate all the feedback!

In an earlier thread, @TheOldHokie said that some hoses are more flexible than others. He specifically mentioned "Gates Megasys MXT" vs. (I guess?), standard R16 hoses.

There just is NOT a lot of room for these hoses between the QH15 and the cylinders, so I think a more flexible hose will be worth it.

I live in a very remote location, but we DO have a NAPA and they will work with me, so thanks for that idea!

My current plan is to see if they have or can get more flexible hoses, and then take what I've got to them.
If NAPA can't help I can supply 3/8 MXT. Even with shipping probably less tha NAPA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user