Step 3 of 8 · Skive

How to skive hydraulic hose

Remove the rubber cover, and for some fittings the inner tube, only when the fitting series requires it and only to the specified length.

  1. 1 Select
  2. 2 Cut
  3. 3 Skive
  4. 4 Insert
  5. 5 Crimp
  6. 6 Clean
  7. 7 Test
  8. 8 Inspect

What this step does

Skiving means removing rubber from the end of the hose so that the fitting grips the wire reinforcement directly. External skiving removes the outer cover; internal skiving removes a short length of the inner tube.

Whether to skive is decided by the fitting, not by the operator. "No-skive" fittings bite through the cover and need no preparation. "Skive" fittings, common on high-pressure multi-spiral hose, require the cover to be removed, and some also require an internal skive. The fitting catalogue states which and gives the skive length for each size.

How to do it

  1. Confirm from the fitting specification whether the hose needs an external skive, an internal skive, both, or none.
  2. Read the skive length for the hose size and mark it on the hose.
  3. Fit the correct mandrel or pilot for the hose bore so the hose runs true on the skiving tool.
  4. Remove the cover down to the wire over the marked length. Stop when the wire is clean and bright; do not cut into it.
  5. If an internal skive is required, remove the inner tube to the specified depth with the internal tool.
  6. Brush off rubber dust and check that no cover remains on the skived area.

Checks before moving on

  • Skive length matches the specification for that fitting and size.
  • The wire is clean, with no rubber patches and no cut, nicked or lifted wires.
  • The shoulder where the cover ends is even all the way round.
  • Rubber dust has been removed from the bore.

Common mistakes

  • Skiving a hose for a no-skive fitting, or not skiving for a skive fitting. Either one changes the crimp diameter the fitting was designed for.
  • Cutting into the wire reinforcement, which weakens the hose exactly where the stress is highest.
  • Skiving too short, so the shell crimps onto rubber, or too long, leaving bare wire exposed to corrosion outside the shell.

Equipment and consumables

  • Skiving machine or hand skiving tool
  • Mandrels or pilots for each hose bore
  • Wire brush
  • Eye protection

Settings such as crimp diameter, skive length, insertion depth and test pressure are specific to the hose and fitting manufacturer. Use their current specification.

Frequently asked questions

What is skiving a hydraulic hose?

Skiving is removing the rubber cover, and sometimes part of the inner tube, from the end of a hose so the fitting clamps directly onto the steel wire reinforcement.

Do all hydraulic hoses need skiving?

No. Most one- and two-wire braided hoses are assembled with no-skive fittings. Skiving is mainly used with certain fitting series on four- and six-spiral high-pressure hose. The fitting specification decides.

What is the difference between internal and external skive?

External skive removes the outer cover so the shell grips the wire. Internal skive removes a short length of the inner tube so the insert seals and locks against the reinforcement. Some heavy-duty fittings need both.

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