Hose Clamps

What is a hose clamp?

A hose clamp is a fastener used to hold a hose or tube firmly in place on a machine, frame, or structure. In hydraulic and industrial systems, the most common design is the plastic tube and hose clamp, made from two moulded clamp halves that close around the hose and are bolted down onto a base. These clamps support the hose along its route, stop it moving, rubbing, or vibrating, and help keep the whole hydraulic system tidy, quiet, and reliable.

Hydraulic hoses and tubes are constantly exposed to vibration from pumps and engines, pressure pulses as valves open and close, and movement as machines travel and work. Without secure clamping, hoses can rub against each other or the machine, fittings can loosen, and the repeated movement can lead to wear, leaks, and early failure. Hose clamps prevent this by holding each line securely in the right position.

A typical complete hose clamp is made up of:

• Clamp halves - two moulded halves, usually plastic, with a shaped bore that grips the hose or tube
• Cover plate (top plate) - a steel plate that sits on top of the clamp halves and spreads the bolt load evenly
• Bolts - usually two hex or socket head bolts that pass through the cover plate and clamp halves to tighten the clamp
• Weld plate or mounting base - a steel plate that is welded to the machine, or a nut and rail system that the clamp bolts into

Key features:

• Secure hose and tube support - holds lines firmly in position along their route
• Vibration damping - plastic and rubber clamp bodies absorb vibration and reduce noise
• Profiled bore - many clamps have a ribbed inner profile that grips the hose firmly without damaging it
• Corrosion resistance - plastic clamp bodies do not rust, and the steel parts are usually zinc-plated
• Modular design - clamps can be fitted individually, side by side, or stacked on top of each other to support several lines
• Standardised sizes - many clamps follow the DIN 3015 standard, so parts are interchangeable between brands
• Wide size range - available for hoses and tubes from just a few millimetres up to large diameters

In simple terms, a hose clamp is the bracket that holds a hydraulic hose or tube firmly in place, keeping it secure, protected and quiet. 

Why are hose clamps essential?

Hose clamps are essential because unsupported hoses and tubes are one of the most common causes of hydraulic problems. A line that is free to move will vibrate, rub, and flex every time the machine runs, which wears through the hose cover, fatigues tubes, and loosens fittings. Good clamping keeps every line in its intended position, so it can do its job without being damaged by the machine around it.

Their main benefits are:

• Longer hose and tube life - stopping movement and rubbing greatly reduces wear and fatigue
• Fewer leaks - reducing vibration and movement helps fittings stay tight and sealed
• Vibration and noise reduction - plastic and rubber clamp bodies absorb vibration and pressure pulses, making systems quieter
• Protection of fittings and components - clamps take load off fittings, ports and connections, protecting pumps, valves and cylinders
• Tidy, organised routing - clamps keep lines neat and separated, making systems easier to inspect and maintain
• Improved safety - secure lines are less likely to fail, whip, or become a trip or snag hazard
• Easy installation and maintenance - the bolted design makes clamps quick to fit and remove when hoses or tubes need replacing
• Corrosion resistance - plastic clamp bodies and plated steel parts suit outdoor and harsh environments
• Flexible mounting - clamps can be welded, bolted, or fitted to rails, and can be stacked to save space

These qualities make hose clamps important in a wide range of industries and equipment, including:

• Construction machinery - excavators, loaders, cranes, telehandlers, and dumpers
• Agricultural machinery - tractors, loaders, sprayers, trailers, and harvesters
• Industrial hydraulics - hydraulic power units, presses, machine tools, and production lines
• Mining and quarrying - drilling rigs, crushers, and heavy mobile equipment
• Marine and offshore - deck machinery, winches, steering systems, and offshore installations

These qualities make hose clamps important in a wide range of industries and equipment, including: 

• Construction machinery - excavators, loaders, cranes, telehandlers, and dumpers
• Agricultural machinery - tractors, loaders, sprayers, trailers, and harvesters
• Industrial hydraulics - hydraulic power units, presses, machine tools, and production lines
• Mining and quarrying - drilling rigs, crushers, and heavy mobile equipment
• Marine and offshore - deck machinery, winches, steering systems, and offshore installations
• Commercial vehicles - tippers, cranes, tail lifts, refuse vehicles, and hydraulic trailers
• Material handling - forklifts, lifting platforms, and conveyors
• Process industries - pipework for oil, water, air, coolant, and lubrication systems
• Rail and transport - hydraulic and pneumatic systems on rolling stock and infrastructure equipment

The main types of hose clamps

Hose clamps are usually grouped by series, clamp body material, bore profile, and mounting method

By series:

• Standard series - the most widely used design, suitable for most hydraulic hoses and tubes. These clamps are made in size groups, with each group covering a range of outside diameters and sharing the same bolt spacing and plate size
• Heavy series - larger, stronger clamps designed for high pressures, larger diameters, heavy vibration, and demanding applications
• Twin series - hold two hoses or tubes of the same size side by side in one clamp, saving space

By clamp body material:

• Polypropylene - the most common material, often green. It offers good vibration damping, chemical resistance, and a working temperature range suitable for most applications
• Polyamide - stronger and suitable for higher temperatures than polypropylene
• Rubber or thermoplastic elastomer - gives the highest level of vibration and noise damping
• Aluminium - used for high temperatures and applications needing extra strength or fire resistance
• Stainless steel and special materials - for food processing, marine, offshore, and corrosive environments

By bore profile:

• Profiled bore - a ribbed or grooved inner surface that grips the hose or tube firmly; it helps prevent it from sliding and allows for small differences in diameter
• Smooth bore - a plain inner surface, often used for tubes and applications where a smooth contact surface is preferred

By mounting method:

• Weld plate mounting - a steel plate with threaded holes is welded to the machine, and the clamp is bolted onto it. This is the most common secure method
• Mounting rail - a steel rail is fixed to the machine, and special rail nuts allow clamps to be positioned anywhere along it, making it easy to fit several clamps in a row
• Stacking - special stacking bolts allow clamps to be mounted on top of each other, saving space where several lines run in parallel
• Direct bolting - clamps bolted directly to a drilled and tapped surface

Other hose clamp designs:

• Worm drive clamps (jubilee clips) - steel bands tightened with a screw, used to secure low-pressure hoses onto barbed fittings, such as coolant, fuel, and air lines. They are not suitable for securing high-pressure hydraulic hoses to fittings, which use crimped ends instead
• P-clips - simple steel or plastic clips, often rubber-lined, used to secure lighter hoses, tubes, and cables
• T-bolt clamps - heavy-duty band clamps for larger low-pressure hoses, such as turbo and intake hoses
• Saddle clamps - single-sided clamps for securing pipes and hoses to surfaces

How to choose the right hose clamp?

Choosing the right hose clamp means matching it to the hose or tube, the operating conditions, and the way it will be mounted. Work through these points in order:

• Outside diameter - measure the outside diameter of the hose or tube accurately. Clamps are sized by outside diameter, not by the hose’s inside diameter or dash size
• Hose or tube - check whether you are clamping a flexible hose or a rigid tube, and choose a profiled or smooth bore to suit
• Series - choose the standard series for most applications, the heavy series for high pressures, large diameters, or heavy vibration, and the twin series where two lines of the same size run together
• Clamp body material - choose polypropylene for general use, polyamide for higher temperatures, rubber, or elastomer for maximum vibration damping, and aluminium for very high temperatures or extra strength
• Temperature - check the clamp material’s temperature range against the fluid temperature and the surrounding conditions
• Environment - for marine, offshore, chemical, or food-processing environments, choose stainless steel hardware and suitable clamp materials
• Mounting method - decide whether to use weld plates, mounting rails, or stacking bolts, and make sure the mounting surface is strong enough
• Complete clamp or individual parts - complete clamps include the clamp halves, cover plate, bolts, and weld plate, while individual parts allow you to replace only what you need
• Clamp spacing - fit clamps at suitable intervals along the line, as well as close to bends, fittings, valves, and points where the line changes direction. Larger and heavier lines generally need clamps closer together
• Hose movement - do not clamp hoses that need to flex or move, such as hoses on moving arms or cylinders, in a way that stops them moving naturally: clamp them only where the hose should stay fixed

FAQ - All you need to know about hose clamps

What are hydraulic hose clamps used for?

They hold hydraulic hoses and tubes securely in place on a machine or structure, reducing vibration, preventing rubbing, and keeping lines tidy.

What is the difference between a hose clamp and a jubilee clip?

A jubilee clip, or worm drive clamp, is a band that tightens a low-pressure hose onto a barbed fitting. A hydraulic hose clamp is a support bracket that holds the hose or tube in position along its route.

Can hose clamps be used to secure high-pressure hoses onto fittings?

No. High-pressure hydraulic hoses are attached to their fittings by crimping. Hose clamps are used to support and secure the hose along its route

How do I measure for a hose clamp?

Measure the outside diameter of the shoe or tube with calipers, and choose a clamp with a bore that matches it.

Which clamp material should I use?

Polypropylene suits most general applications, polyamide handles higher temperatures, rubber or elastomer offers the best vibration damping, and aluminium is used for very high temperatures.

How far apart should hose clamps be?

It depends on the hose or tube size, weight, pressure, and vibration. Larger lines usually need clamps closer together. Clamps should also be fitted near bends, fittings, and valves.

Can I stack hose clamps?

Yes, stacking bolts lets you mount clamps on top of each other, which saves space where several lines run in parallel.

Should I clamp hoses that move?

Only where the hose should stay fixed. Hoses on moving parts, such as cylinders and arms, need enough free length to move and flex without being restricted.

How tight should hose clamps be?

Tight enough to hold the hose or tube securely without crushing it. Overtightening can damage the clamp halves or the hose.

Do plastic hose clamps wear out?

Over time, they can crack, harden, or loosen, especially with heat, UV, and vibration. Inspect them regularly and replace damaged clamp halves.