Gates Hydraulic Hose FAQ: Laylines, Dash Sizes, and How to Measure a Hydraulic Hose

I'm not a hydraulic engineer. I'm the person who orders the hoses. For the past five years, I've been the office administrator for a 150-person manufacturing company. That puts me in charge of office supplies one week and industrial rubber products the next—roughly $400K in annual purchases across a dozen vendors. I report to operations and finance, which is a polite way of saying I get to explain every mistake. Over time, I've made enough wrong hose orders to learn what actually matters. This is not a product manual. It is a practical list from the purchasing side of the desk. Here is the FAQ I wish I had when I started.

Is Gates the same as Gates Rubber Company?

Short answer: yes, mostly. The original company was The Gates Rubber Company, founded in Denver in 1911. It eventually became Gates Corporation, but you will still see "Gates Rubber Company" on older spec sheets, distributor portals, and search results. That can be confusing when you are trying to compare products. The good news is that both names point to the same manufacturer. The official website uses the Gates name, while some legacy part numbers and third-party catalogs keep the old one. If you are searching for a replacement hose, try both terms—you might find the same part listed under either name.

What is a hydraulic hose layline?

A layline is the printed strip of information that runs the length of a hydraulic hose. Most people assume it is just branding, but it is not. It tells you what you are actually holding: the manufacturer, the hose series, the nominal size, the pressure rating, and usually a traceability code. On a Gates hose, you can typically see the Gates name along with a standard identifier like SAE 100R1 or SAE 100R2. The exact format varies by product line, but it will include enough information to identify the hose.

This becomes critical when the original packaging is gone or the hose has been sitting on a shelf for years. I used to ignore laylines entirely. That changed after I almost installed a hose from an unmarked reel into a higher-pressure system. The diameters looked identical from a distance. The layline would have caught it immediately.

What does "burnin rubber" have to do with hydraulic hoses?

Nothing, to be honest. "Burnin rubber" is a phrase about tires skidding, not a product category. If you searched for it and ended up here, you are probably trying to identify a rubber hose from a photo or a memory. The useful place to start is the hose itself. Look along the sidewall for printed text—that is the layline. Write down the brand, size, and any standard numbers. With a Gates hose, you should see distinct, readable markings. If the hose is old and the ink has worn off, measure the inner diameter and compare it to a catalog. But the phrase "burnin rubber" will not appear on any spec sheet I have come across.

How do I measure a hydraulic hose?

Do not skip this. The most common mistake is measuring the outside diameter of the hose and assuming that is the size you need. The size you are looking for is the inner diameter, or ID, because that controls flow and fitting compatibility. If you have calipers, measure the opening at the end of the hose. On an assembled hose, you can often measure the inside of the fitting. But the fastest way is to read the layline, because most hydraulic hoses have the size printed there.

For length, measure the total end-to-end distance between the ends of both fittings. That is the installation length. If the hose is curved, measure along the centerline—not with a straight tape from end to end. If it is already installed, measure the open span between the fittings and then add the fitting lengths. This is a simple way to avoid ordering a hose that is a few inches too short. Ask me how I know.

What is a dash size on hydraulic hose?

Dash size is the standard sizing language for hydraulic hoses and fittings. It is based on sixteenths of an inch. For example, -4 means 4/16" (1/4"), -6 means 6/16" (3/8"), and -8 means 8/16" (1/2"). If a part number says "Gates -6 hydraulic hose", the dash size refers to the nominal inner diameter for that hose series.

But the dash size alone does not tell you everything. It does not tell you the working pressure, the reinforcement, or the bend radius. That is why you also need the hose series. Series designations like SAE 100R1 and SAE 100R2 come from industry standards such as SAE J517; they define construction and performance expectations. So when someone asks me what size hose to order, I ask for both the dash size and the series. Otherwise, you might get the right width but the wrong strength.

Can I buy Gates hoses in small quantities as a small customer?

Yes, you can. I buy Gates products through industrial distributors, and small orders are a normal part of their business. You may run into a minimum order fee or pay a slightly higher per-foot price than a large OEM would. That is fair—the cost of processing a small order does not scale down perfectly. What is not fair is being treated like your order is not worth the time.

I have had suppliers who ignored my first small order and later wanted my business when the budget grew. The ones who responded quickly and answered my questions are the ones I still call today. A $200 order can become a $20,000 order, and even if it never does, every customer deserves a straight answer and a readable invoice. If a distributor makes you feel like an inconvenience, try another one. Also, if they quote a minimum that seems high, ask for a cut length. Most industrial distributors have spools and can cut exactly what you need.

How can I tell if a Gates hose is genuine?

The first thing I check is the layline. Genuine Gates hoses usually have clean, consistently printed markings with the Gates name, the hose series, the size, and a traceability code. If the printing looks smeared, incomplete, or does not match the product's catalog number, I treat it as a warning. Buy from an authorized distributor. Also check the end of the hose—a genuine assembly should have a cleanly crimped collar with no loose rubber or rough edges.

I say "authorized" because I once bought a pallet deal from an online marketplace that turned out to be relabeled hose. It looked right from the end of the shelf, but the layline was missing the traceability info. After installation, one hose failed and caused around $600 in damage plus a week of downtime. Now I verify the part number against the manufacturer's published data before I approve the order. It takes two minutes and saves a lot of explaining.

Should I order Gates hose by the foot or as a pre-made assembly?

If you are replacing a fixed line, a pre-made assembly is usually the safer choice. The distributor cuts the hose, attaches the fittings, and tests the crimp. That extra cost is worth it, because a bad crimp can fail immediately. If you are doing custom routing or building a prototype, buying by the foot lets you size everything yourself. Just remember that you will need the correct crimping equipment and fittings.

It took me a while to appreciate this. I assumed buying bulk hose was smarter. Then I bought the wrong fittings and wasted half a week waiting for replacements. Now I ask my distributor whether the assembly should be crimped or reusable before ordering. If you are unsure, send them a photo of the old hose or its layline. That helps more than a guess. And when in doubt, order a little longer than you think. It is easier to trim a hose than to extend it.

That is the list from my side of the desk. If you are still not sure, take a clear photo of the layline and send it to your distributor. It is faster and cheaper than ordering the wrong part. — A buyer who has shipped back too many hoses.