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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SkidRoe" data-source="post: 107407" data-attributes="member: 3290">It certainly could.  While the hose may be 1/4" ID, the end fittings have much smaller ID's than that. If both hose end fittings had a 0.060" wall interior barb, which they well could, you would be reducing the flow area by a factor of 4.In order to get laminar flow through a system, pressure lines should be sized to keep the flow speed below 15 ft/s.If your machine produces 16 GPM, with 3/8 hose, you would get a flow speed of 8.7 ft/s, which is okay.  Reduce to 1/4" hose and your flow speed goes up to 34.9 ft/s.  This flow will be very turbulent and restrictive.Also keep in mind that the flow is bidirectional, and return lines should be sized to keep the flow speed to less than 8 ft/s, to avoid cavitation.Based on this, I would say that 3/8" hose is the minimum size that should be used, especially when you consider the area differential of the cylinder and the fact that a retracting cylinder generates a higher return flow than on extension.  FYI - The grapple on our Bobcat 773 runs 1/2" hose. Hope this helps - SR</blockquote>