A question we get regularly. The answer depends on exactly what you want to do — but let's start at the beginning: the steps required to produce a correct hose assembly.

Step 1: Measure

Measure twice, cut once — that goes double for hydraulic hoses. Length, bore, fitting type and angle together define the assembly. A mistake here costs you time and material. Always take your measurements twice.

Step 2: Cut

The hose needs to be cut to length, cleanly and square. For occasional use or lighter textile-reinforced hoses, a manual cutting machine is perfectly adequate. For regular work or heavier hoses, a pneumatic cutting machine gives a more efficient result and a cleaner cut face.

Step 3: Skiving (if required)

Certain hose and fitting combinations require skiving: removing the outer rubber cover down to the wire reinforcement. Thanks to advances in hose and ferrule technology, this is becoming less and less common. Want to know more? Read our article on skiving vs non-skiving.

Step 4: Insert the fitting

The fitting is pushed into the hose to the correct insertion depth. This can be done by hand. For production work, an inserting machine is the better choice: faster, more consistent, and with greater assembly reliability.

Step 5: Crimp

This is the heart of the process. The ferrule is crimped to the correct diameter using a crimping machine, locking the hose, ferrule and fitting together as one unit. The correct crimp diameter depends on the hose and ferrule combination and can be found in our crimp data.

The choice of crimping machine depends on your application. A manual crimper is sufficient for small diameters and occasional use. An electric crimper is the better choice for regular work. For large diameters up to 2", you need a heavier machine. As the exclusive Finn-Power distributor in Belgium, we carry the full range — from starter kit to production-ready machines.

Step 6: Verify the crimp diameter

After crimping, always measure the crimp diameter. A machine can drift due to wear or incorrect calibration — an error you miss here can later result in a leaking or even dangerous connection. As the exclusive Finn-Power distributor, we stock virtually all spare parts and operate a specially equipped service vehicle to get to customers quickly. We also keep loan crimpers available at all times so you're never without a machine, even during repairs — completely free of charge.

Step 7: Pressure test and certificate (if required)

Some customers or applications require a test certificate. The assembly is then subjected to a pressure test in a [test bench]. A successful test results in a certificate releasing the assembly for use.

What exactly do you need?

That depends entirely on your situation. A few common scenarios:

You want to be able to replace the occasional two-wire hose yourself. A starter kit with the most common fittings and a manual crimper is the logical starting point: low investment, quick to deploy.

You want to set up a workshop where customers can come in with damaged hoses. You'll need a more complete setup: an electric crimping machine, a cutting machine, and a well-stocked inventory of hoses, ferrules and fittings.

You have specific hoses or fittings for your own use, for example for a particular type of machine or vehicle. In that case, we'll look at the right combination together.

Every situation is different. Our technical sales representatives are happy to work through the right setup for your application and budget with you, and make sure your installation is ready to go from day one.

7-basket hose carousel

A useful addition to any workshop is a 7-basket hose carousel. It lets you store the most frequently used hose types in an organised, compact way. Each basket is designated for a different type or diameter, the hose unrolls easily for cutting and goes back just as easily. No tangling, no mess on the floor — a small investment with a noticeable impact on daily efficiency.

Order via our webshop

All hoses, fittings, ferrules and machines are available through our B2B webshop. As a registered customer you see live stock and pricing, benefit from an extra 2% discount, and your order ships the same day. On request, we can also provide QR code labels for your racking so you can reorder quickly and easily — just scan and go.