Hydraulic tubing wall thickness

WestWAFarmall · May 13, 2019

I am replacing the work and damaged hydraulic steel lines on my 1964 Farmall 460 and I am wondering what the wall thickness is. Has anyone had experience changing to Swagelok fittings or should I just order a double flaring tool? Any advice and help is appreciated.

Janicholson · May 13, 2019

2500 psi working pressure hydraulic rated tubing/hose will be fine. Wall thickness is not the way to rate tubing
because there is no quality assurance on any thickness rated tube. Without specific pressure rating
it is risky. Vibration resistance is also important. stress cracking and corrosion are critical.
Precision of size and bendability when forming are also considerations. Jim

Steve@Advance · May 13, 2019

I'm assuming you are going to cut back and replace the damaged line with hose?

If so, the wall thickness doesn't matter, just get an accurate (calipers) measurement of the OD, get a compression fitting adapter.

I would recommend compression over flare. Never had any luck trying to double flare by hand.

Your local hydraulic hose shop can walk you through with the least amount of fittings and cost.

WestWAFarmall · May 13, 2019

Great thanks.

WestWAFarmall · May 13, 2019

I really want to try and keep it as close to factory as possible. I am trying to slowly restore my tractor as parts fail back to as close to new as possible. I have had a lot of people stopping by my farm asking to purchase my tractor so it must be pretty desired so I want to keep her running and looking good for years to come. Thanks for the input.

Bob · May 13, 2019

Even for the relatively low pressure of that era, tubing will be significantly thicker-walled than "steel brake line", and will take a heck of a $$$ to to flare it.

Most likely, the only way you will know the wall thickness, for sure, is to cut it, de-burr the cut end, and check it with and accurate digital caliper or other precision measuring tool.

Specifically, what lines do you have to replace, should be some good used ones out there on parted units, I'd think?

the tractor vet · May 13, 2019

Brake tubing is like .027-.028 and Hyd tubing is .035 . I have used it on several jobs , requires the proper tubing benders and if your flaring then ends here again same applies as your normal everyday flaring tools will have a tough time due to the added wall thickness.

M-MAN · May 13, 2019

Look at the steel tubing at McMasters.
It's bendable and flareable. Factory used
the thinnest but I would go with the next
to thickest. It's sold by the od. It's
also pretty cheap.

CJinMI · May 13, 2019

Hydraulics are *usually* 37 degree single flare.
Brake *45* double.
That tractor may not use flare, take it apart and see.
Or splice bad spot w/ hydraulic compression fittings.

WestWAFarmall · May 13, 2019

Is it possible to switch to Swagelok fittings?

Cory Schmidt · May 13, 2019

pending...that I think sounds like a 1/2" tube so .032 rough thickness I think is common for most that size. In general.065 is used most, and then .12 for top three....I work with tube all day at the plant in town, it gets to ya.

Hydraulic tubing wall thickness

WestWAFarmall

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