As a hydraulic hose and fitting rep, I saw firsthand how overlooked hose sizing is in the automotive aftermarket. Tube size has a major impact on system performance, yet it’s often misunderstood or ignored. I wrote this article to simplify a complex topic and give sales teams, technicians, and product managers a clearer understanding of how hose size affects flow, pressure, and overall system efficiency.
The article was first published in the Gates Industrial Newsletter, then picked up by two leading industry publications:
Machine Design
Power & Motion (formerly Hydraulics & Pneumatics)
It was featured in the July/August 2021 print edition of Power & Motion and also highlighted as a cover story.
Not all hydraulic threads are created equal. Accurately identifying hydraulic couplings starts with a basic understanding of thread characteristics and standards. While Gates offers excellent North American and BSP/Metric Thread ID kits, interpreting the information on those kits can be overwhelming without context.
I wrote this article to make thread identification easier and more accessible for sales reps, counter staff, and technicians in the field. It walks through four key areas:
The physical characteristics of threads
The different thread standards (SAE, BSP, Metric, and more)
How to properly measure threads
How to use this information alongside Gates Thread ID kits to identify couplings accurately
This piece has been widely used as a training reference for those new to hydraulic coupling identification and is part of my broader effort to simplify technical topics for real-world use.