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Hydraulic Hose Internal Cleaning | JETCLEANER Technology Guide

Hydraulic Hose Internal Cleaning | JETCLEANER Technology Guide


Hydraulic Hose Internal Cleaning: Why Proper Hose Cleaning Is Critical for Hydraulic System Reliability

Hydraulic Hose Internal Cleaning: The Hidden Factor Behind Hydraulic System Reliability

Hydraulic systems operate under extremely high pressure and depend on clean hydraulic fluid to deliver reliable performance. While many maintenance teams focus on pumps, valves, filters, and cylinders, one critical contamination source is often overlooked—the inside of hydraulic hoses and tubes.

Particles left inside newly manufactured or repaired hoses can circulate through the hydraulic circuit, damaging pumps, servo valves, proportional valves, seals, and cylinders. Even microscopic contamination may significantly reduce system efficiency and component life.

For this reason, professional hydraulic hose internal cleaning has become an essential process in industries where hydraulic reliability is critical.

Why Internal Hose Cleaning Matters

During manufacturing, cutting, crimping, welding, bending, or storage, contaminants may remain inside hydraulic hoses and tubes.

Typical contaminants include:

  • Steel particles
  • Rubber residues
  • Plastic fragments
  • Dust
  • Oxidation particles
  • Rust
  • Assembly debris
  • Moisture contamination

Without proper cleaning, these contaminants enter the hydraulic oil during startup and circulate throughout the system.

The result can include:

  • Premature pump wear
  • Valve sticking
  • Cylinder seal damage
  • Servo valve failure
  • Reduced oil cleanliness
  • Increased maintenance costs
  • Unexpected downtime

How the JETCLEANER System Works

JETCLEANER uses a simple but highly effective cleaning principle.

A specially designed polyurethane projectile is propelled through the hose using compressed air at approximately 8 bar (115 psi). As the projectile travels through the hose, it wipes or scrapes contamination from the internal surface depending on projectile type. 

Unlike traditional flushing methods, the projectile physically removes particles instead of simply moving them further along the line.

Depending on compressor capacity, the system can clean hoses and tubes with lengths of several hundred feet. 

ISO Cleanliness Standards

Modern hydraulic systems demand extremely clean components.

According to the product documentation, the cleaning system is capable of achieving cleanliness levels in accordance with:

  • ISO 4406
  • ISO 4407

Depending on projectile selection and cleaning procedure, cleanliness can reach ISO 15/13/10, making the process suitable for demanding hydraulic applications. 

Different Cleaning Projectiles for Different Applications

No single cleaning projectile is suitable for every application. JETCLEANER offers multiple projectile types for different contamination levels and hose geometries.

Standard 400 Projectiles

Designed from medium-hard flexible polyurethane.

Suitable for:

  • Hydraulic hoses
  • Pneumatic hoses
  • General tube cleaning
  • Curved hoses
  • Spiral hoses

Recommended projectile size is approximately 20% larger than the hose internal diameter for effective cleaning. 

EC Flexible 060 Projectiles

Manufactured from soft polyurethane for maximum flexibility.

Advantages include:

  • Better adaptation to bends
  • Excellent wiping performance
  • Fiber-free construction
  • PVC-free
  • PTFE-free
  • Silicone-free

These projectiles are particularly suitable where high cleanliness levels are required. 

Super Standard Projectiles

Designed for:

  • Straight tubes
  • High-viscosity contamination
  • Dense deposits

Their higher-density polyurethane construction allows improved cleaning performance in straight tube applications. 

Abrasive Projectiles

For heavy contamination including:

  • Rust
  • Oxide scale
  • Steam pipe deposits
  • Cooling line contamination

The abrasive surface removes difficult deposits inside metal tubes.

Recommended projectile size is approximately 5% larger than the tube internal diameter.

Grinding Projectiles

Designed for severe contamination removal such as:

  • Heavy scale
  • Pitting
  • Corrosion
  • Industrial deposits

Grinding projectiles are intended primarily for straight pipes with smooth bends. 

JETCLEANER Equipment Options

The product family includes several equipment options depending on production volume.

JETCLEANER Mini

Ideal for:

  • Mobile service
  • Small workshops
  • Hydraulic repair
  • Tube cleaning

Supports hose sizes from 3/16" to 1". 

JETCLEANER Classic

The original cleaning gun manufactured from cast aluminum.

Suitable for:

  • Hydraulic workshops
  • OEM manufacturers
  • Service centers

Supports hose sizes from 3/16" to 2" and tube diameters up to 60 mm. 

JETCLEANER Cobra

A semi-automatic lightweight cleaning gun designed for high productivity.

Features include:

  • Fast loading
  • Ergonomic design
  • Lightweight construction
  • Multiple nozzle options

Suitable for repetitive cleaning operations. 

Automatic Cleaning Stations

For high-volume manufacturing, PLC-controlled cleaning stations provide automated cleaning and process verification.

Available systems include:

  • JETCLEANER 2000SA
  • JETCLEANER 5000SA
  • JETCLEANER 2500APC

These stations can be equipped with:

  • Pneumatic grippers
  • Adjustable air timing
  • Automatic projectile feeding
  • External fluid spraying
  • Projectile verification systems

Such automation helps maintain consistent cleanliness across production batches. 

Industries That Benefit from Internal Hose Cleaning

The cleaning technology is widely used across industries including:

  • Hydraulic manufacturing
  • Construction equipment
  • Mining
  • Marine
  • Offshore
  • Agriculture
  • Food processing
  • Breweries
  • Medical equipment
  • Nuclear power
  • Heating systems
  • Sanitation systems

Its versatility allows it to clean both hydraulic hoses and industrial tubing in a broad range of applications. 

Best Practices for Hydraulic Hose Cleaning

For maximum cleaning efficiency:

  • Select the correct projectile size.
  • Match projectile type to contamination level.
  • Use flexible projectiles for complex hose routing.
  • Use abrasive or grinding projectiles only where appropriate.
  • Finish abrasive cleaning with a soft projectile to remove remaining particles.
  • Verify cleanliness before assembly into hydraulic systems. 

Internal hose contamination remains one of the leading causes of premature hydraulic component failure. Professional projectile-based cleaning offers a fast, reliable, and repeatable method for removing contamination before hoses enter service.

By selecting the appropriate projectile and cleaning equipment, manufacturers and maintenance teams can significantly improve hydraulic system cleanliness, reduce wear, extend component life, and support compliance with internationally recognized ISO cleanliness standards.