1/2 Inch Hydraulic Hose | Sizes, Models & Specifications

1/2 inch hose — 12.3–13.5 mm bore, dash 8 — is the step up you take when a 3/8 inch line starts running hot or the pressure drop gets noticeable. It is a common main-line size on medium excavators, machine tools and injection moulding equipment.

1/2 Inch Hydraulic Hose: Pressure Rating by Construction

1SNBraided, 1 wire16.0 MPa (160 bar)2SNBraided, 2 wire20.0 MPa (200 bar)4SPSpiral, 4 wire41.5 MPa (415 bar)

Three constructions are produced in the 1/2 inch bore. Working pressure is the continuous rating at 30–60 °C with mineral oil; burst pressure is the minimum before rupture (typically 4× working pressure).

Nominal bore 12.3–13.5 mm, outside diameter 21.4 mm (1SN), minimum bend radius 180 mm, weight 0.42 kg/m (1SN).

Where 1/2 Inch Hydraulic Hose Is Used

• Medium excavators and wheel loaders — Main boom, arm and bucket circuits on 6–15 tonne machines, usually as 4SP where pressure exceeds 250 bar.
• Machine tools and injection moulding — Clamp, eject and core-pull circuits where a steady flow at moderate pressure matters more than peak rating.
• Truck-mounted cranes and tail lifts — Short, high-flex runs that need a larger bore than 3/8 inch without going to a two-piece assembly.
• Hydraulic power packs — Supply and return lines between the pump unit and the application, where 1/2 inch keeps velocity below 6 m/s at 60–70 L/min.

How to Choose the Right Construction

1SN at 16 MPa is for low-pressure circuits and return lines only. 2SN at 20 MPa covers most general machinery. From 1/2 inch upward the pressure gap between braided and spiral widens sharply — 4SP gives 41.5 MPa in the same bore, so any system above 200 bar should be specified as 4SP from the start rather than upgraded later.

Fittings for 1/2 Inch Hose

Typical crimp fittings are JIC 37° (3/4-16), BSPP (1/2"), ORFS (13/16-16), DIN 24° and SAE code 61/62 flanges. Split-flange connections are common on mobile equipment above 200 bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 1/2 inch and dash 8 hose?

Nothing — dash 8 is the SAE shorthand for 8/16 inch, which is 1/2 inch. The bore is nominally 12.7 mm.

How much flow does 1/2 inch hose handle?

About 45 L/min at 6 m/s oil velocity, which is why it is a common main-line size on mid-size machinery.

Can 1/2 inch 1SN replace 3/8 inch 2SN?

Not directly. The bore is larger but the pressure rating is lower (16 MPa vs 22.5 MPa). Match the pressure rating first, then the bore.

Tell us the working pressure, flow rate, fluid and fitting type, and YIBO will confirm the exact model, bend radius and lead time for your 1/2 inch hose. Samples are available for approval before volume production.