Hydraulic Steering Hose Shortening

[Mr Smiff]

Hello, I’m hoping for a little help or advice.

We have a RIB (well the charity I volunteer for does) which has a Hydrodrive MC75W hydraulic steering set up on it. The problem is that the hoses are much too long. They are coiled under a seat and take up so much room it’s interfering with some engine control cables which are also in there along with the 2 stroke oil tank (the hydraulic hoses aren’t the most flexible of hoses).

So, we currently have something around 4.5 to 5 metres (2m of excess coiled up in there) and actually only need 3 metres of length. I wondered if anybody knows if there’s a kit, or if it is even possible, to cut the hoses down and put fresh ends on to make the hoses 3m? If so, might you be able to point me in the right direction please?

I see Hydrodrive have 3m cables listed on their website, but that works out around 120 euros (whatever that is in pounds)and was hoping for a cheaper option as I’ll need to buy these and offer to them as a donation (like everyone, there’s not much money in the kitty so they can’t really afford it, but can’t afford not to as it’s causing engine warning lights as the engine cables are getting pushed around). The rib is used as a safety boat to allow kids on the water. I need to fix this before the RIB (and subsequently the kids) can get back on the water.

Hoping for some help and at the very least, thank you for reading this.

[Pipster100]

If you’re able too, I’d remove them and take them to a local hydraulic company, I’m sure if you do a search for local companies you’ll be able to find one and let them have a look. Hydraulic hoses aren’t complicated it’s just a case of if a local company has the correct fittings to swage back on. In the event they don’t, then they may be able to (if they have fittings for that diameter pipe) cut a section of hose out and join the ends so you end up with the correct length.

Any photos of the setup? It’s strange that the hoses pushing on the engine control cables are giving warning lights.

[Mr Smiff]

Thank you. I’ll have a look. The problem is, the console is small. There’d a lot of cabling in the area for engine controls, two stroke oil bits and bobs, 2m of coiled up hydraulic hose and all this gets hit every time the 20l fuel container get put in there too. If I could take the 2m coiled hydraulic hose out (which is really 4m as it’s both hoses) it would create a lot more space and nothing would ever be disturbed…if you get what I mean. I can get some photos over the weekend if you like?

[Pipster100]

If you can find a mobile hydraulic fitter, there’s usually someone or a company as all farm machinery, diggers etc use hydraulics you may be able to appeal to their charitable side and see if they can help out and do the mods in situ. You’d then just need to bleed the system to get the air out.

I’d start with making some phone calls and good old google search.

Good luck

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Pipster100

.....have fittings for that diameter pipe) cut a section of hose out and join the ends so you end up with the correct length.

This could be the easiest/cheapest option. Boat steering hose fittings tend to be a tad niche & finding a non-specialist hose guy with the correct fittings would be lucky.

[beamishken]

Post some pictures of your current ends some systems use reusable self crimp ends & its a simply job to shorten & re crimp

[Peter_C]

My hydro system came cut to fit. So you cut the hose to the length you want then screw the ends on. I could easily shorten them further should I ever need too, by cutting the hose shorter and unscrewing the ends. The challenge is the hose will need to be cut off the fitting after removing the outer nut, and you don't want to damage the fitting with a sharp knife. Fortunately you don't need to cut all the way thru, just cut in a few places around the hose. So if there are nuts on the end of one side of the hoses then they most likely can be cut off.

[paintman]

Replacing the fuel rail-to-injector petrol hoses on older Jags & Classic Range Rovers has the same problem of potential damage to the barbs on the injector.
Saw a method online using a fine point on an electric soldering iron to 'cut' the hose - obviously well drained of any fuel!
Tried this on my own Classis RR & it worked a treat.
Don't know if this would work with hydraulic hose but it certainly works with fuel hose.