When it comes to your hydraulic equipment, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right hoses. Each use case is different, requiring different specifications for size and diameter, fluid type, temperature, and other considerations like flexibility.

As you assemble or repair your equipment, ensuring that you follow hydraulic hose standards is a vital part of keeping your hydraulic machinery working safely.

Defining Hydraulic Hose Standards

Depending on where you are, there are several different national and international hydraulic hose standards with varying measurements, tolerances, and parameters. 

For example, the European Norm/Standard (EN) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) both set their hydraulic hose standards, which differ from each other. 

In North America, the typical hydraulic hose standards are set by the Society of Automotive Engineers or SAE. This organization provides a series of hydraulic hose standards in the 100R series, defined under SAE Standard J517. 

The 100R series hydraulic hose standards differentiate the hoses based on their construction and ideal usage conditions, including temperature, pressure, and fluid type. Before we get into the specifics of each hose, let’s take a moment to go over the different parts of a hydraulic hose.

Hydraulic Hose Construction

While the specific parameters of every hose are different, they generally define three key aspects of the hose: the tube, the strengthening or reinforcement, and the outer, protective cover.

Tube

The tube that runs along the inside of a hydraulic hose is responsible for actually transporting hydraulic fluid. For that reason, it has to be able to withstand constant contact with hydraulic fluid, including both biodegradable and petroleum-based fluids.

Because the hose is the part that comes into contact with the fluid, it also needs to withstand other factors, including extremes in temperature, corrosion, and tension.

Reinforcement

While the tube is the part that houses hydraulic fluid, the reinforcement is there to strengthen the line, protecting it from any spikes in pressure that may occur. The higher the pressure in the tube, the more support you’ll want to prevent it from bursting or leaking. 

Hydraulic hoses come with either textile or steel reinforcement. Textile reinforcement is a woven fabric designed for low-pressure usages, while steel reinforced hoses have either a braided cover around the hose or individual courses of wire wrapped around the tube. 

Wire wraps always come in even-numbered layers, with each successive layer wrapped in the opposite direction of the previous layer.

Cover

The protective outer layer is known as the cover, and this is the first layer of protection from exterior damage. Usually made from synthetic rubber or textile braiding, the cover helps prevent abrasion and corrosion damage and can provide insulation to prevent the tube from being damaged by external heat, cold, or UV damage.

Selecting a Hydraulic Hose

When choosing the right hydraulic hose, you should first pay attention to any documentation with your equipment. These should specify which hoses are appropriate for your equipment and your particular usage.

However, the documentation may not have all of the information you need; you may be adapting the equipment to a new use or simply have to address a change in conditions. In that case, this guide will help you determine which hose is right for you.

As you choose a hose, you should know the specifics of your situation, including your maximum pressure, normal and extreme operating temperatures, and the nature of your application, such as if your hoses will be used in a vehicle or as part of a permanent installation.

Under each number, you’ll find information about the reinforcement, as well as the diameter range, the maximum operating pressure (in psi), and the minimum bend radius.

Unless otherwise noted, all hoses contain a tube compatible with both petroleum- and water-based hydraulic fluids, a rubber cover designed to resist oil and weather exposure, and are suited to operate between -40° and 100°C.

SAE Hydraulic Hose Standards 

SAE 100R1

Reinforcement: Single braid steel.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 2”
Max. Operating Pressure: 575 to 3,250 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 3.5” to 25”
Usage: General use high-pressure hydraulic hose.

SAE 100R2

Reinforcement: Two braids steel.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 2”
Max. Operating Pressure: 1,150 to 6,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 3.5” to 25”
Usage: Good for outdoor uses like construction and mining, as well as on mobile equipment.

SAE 100R3

Reinforcement: Two braids textile.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 1-1/4”
Max. Operating Pressure: 375 to 1,500 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 3” to 10”
Usage: General use as a low-pressure hydraulic hose, including antifreeze and hydraulic oil.

SAE 100R4

Reinforcement: Single or more braid textile with spiral wire.
Diameter Range: 3/4″ to 4”
Max. Operating Pressure: 35 to 300 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 5” to 24”
Usage: Typically used as suction and return hoses for hydraulic systems.

SAE 100R5

Reinforcement: Two braids textile with steel braid between. Braids have mildew-resistant compounds to resist wear.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 3-1/16”
Max. Operating Pressure: 35 to 300 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 3” to 33”
Usage: Meant for medium-pressure applications, used in many automotive situations, including air brakes and power steering systems.

SAE 100R6

Reinforcement: Single braid or spiral textile.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 3/4″
Max. Operating Pressure: 300 to 500 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 2” to 6”
Usage: General use as a low-pressure hydraulic hose.

SAE 100R7

Tube: Thermoplastic.
Temperature: -40° to 93°C
Cover: Thermoplastic.
Reinforcement: Synthetic fiber.
Diameter Range: 1/8” to 1”
Max. Operating Pressure: 1,000 to 3,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 1” to 12”
Usage: Medium-pressure, non-conductive settings where steel reinforcement is not allowed.

SAE 100R8

Tube: Thermoplastic.
Temperature: -40° to 93°C
Cover: Thermoplastic.
Reinforcement: Synthetic fiber.
Diameter Range: 1/8” to 1”
Max. Operating Pressure: 2,000 to 6,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 1” to 12”
Usage: High-pressure, non-conductive settings where steel reinforcement is not allowed.

SAE 100R12

Temperature: -40° to 121°C
Reinforcement: Four steel wire spirals.
Diameter Range: 3/8” to 2”
Max. Operating Pressure: 2,500 to 4,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 5” to 25”
Usage: High-pressure applications in heavy-duty service settings.

SAE 100R13

Temperature: -40° to 121°C
Reinforcement: Multiple steel wire spirals.
Diameter Range: 3/4″ to 2”
Max. Operating Pressure: 5,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 9.5” to 25”
Usage: High-pressure applications, where there is a high likelihood of pressure spikes, like forklifts or construction machinery.

SAE 100R14

Tube: PTFE (Type B hose has conductive inner layer)
Temperature: -54° to 204°C
Reinforcement: Single braid steel.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 1-1/4” 
Max. Operating Pressure: 600 to 1,500 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 1-1/2” to 16”
Usage: High-pressure applications handling superheated fluids.

SAE 100R15

Temperature: -40° to 121°C
Reinforcement: Multiple steel wire spirals.
Diameter Range: 3/8” to 1-1/2” 
Max. Operating Pressure: 6,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 6” to 21”
Usage: For petroleum-based fluids only. High-pressure applications with steady working pressure, including logging, agriculture, and oilfield equipment.

SAE 100R16

Reinforcement: One or two braids steel.
Diameter Range: 1/4″ to 1-1/4”
Max. Operating Pressure: 1,800 to 5,800 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 2” to 8”
Usage: High-pressure applications, where hose needs to be especially flexible.

SAE 100R17

Reinforcement: One or two braids steel.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 1”
Max. Operating Pressure: 3,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 2” to 6”
Usage: High-pressure applications, rated for general industrial purposes.

SAE 100R18

Tube: Thermoplastic.
Temperature: -40° to 93°C
Cover: Thermoplastic.
Reinforcement: Synthetic fiber
Diameter Range: 1/8” to 1”
Max. Operating Pressure: 3,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 1” to 10”
Usage: High-pressure applications where non-conductive tubes are required.

SAE 100R19

Reinforcement: One or two braids steel.
Diameter Range: 3/16” to 1”
Max. Operating Pressure: 4,000 psi
Min. Bend Radius: 2” to 6”
Usage: High-pressure applications, rated for general industrial purposes.

A Final Word

While these SAE hydraulic hose standards are widely accepted and used by the industry, SAE does not certify that a product meets them. Ensure that you’re purchasing your hydraulic hoses from a reputable vendor to ensure you’re getting high-quality merchandise that meets the hydraulic hose standards.

You’ll also find that many manufacturers offer products that exceed the SAE hydraulic hose standards, giving you more flexibility when using them in your particular applications. Some hoses have higher temperature or pressure ratings, or they have a tighter bend radius.

MAC Hydraulics Is Your Home for Hydraulic Hoses

If you’re looking for the right hydraulic hoses for your equipment, contact the experts at MAC Hydraulics today. Our experienced technicians can make sure you’re getting hoses that meet the hydraulic hose standards specific to your needs. If you’re in need of a hose supplier, we can help. MAC Hydraulics now offers products from brands we trust. Contact us today to take care of all of your hydraulic hose needs.