Patent Publication Number: US-2007120023-A1

Title: Hydraulic hose retention device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates generally to work vehicles such as backhoes having hydraulic actuators coupled to hydraulic hoses to supply the actuators with working fluid. More particularly, it relates to retaining devices for fixing these hydraulic hoses together to reduce wear.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Loader backhoes and other work vehicles typically use hydraulic actuators to affect movement of the vehicle itself and the various implements that are attached thereto. These hydraulic actuators include rotary actuators such as hydraulic motors and linear actuators such as hydraulic cylinders.  
      These rotary actuators are connected by hydraulic hoses to hydraulic pumps on the vehicle that provide them with hydraulic fluid. Often, the hydraulic actuators are located on members such as loader arms, loader buckets, booms, dippers, and swing towers that are pivotally coupled to the chassis or other structures of the vehicle. The hydraulic hoses must be able to flex. By flexing they accommodate the motion of the various structures on the work vehicle. They cannot easily be made solid and fixed rigidly to the surface of the structures.  
      The flexible hoses typically have an outer diameter of between one half and two inches. They are often disposed immediately adjacent to each other, and often rub, one against the other, as the structures to which they are attached pivot back and forth. This rubbing causes significant wear over time.  
      One particular problem area on vehicles with backhoe attachments is the area around the swing tower. The swing tower is the portion of a backhoe attachment that is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the loader backhoe tractor to pivot about a vertical axis, and to which the backhoe boom is pivotally coupled to pivot about a generally horizontal axis. Swing towers are typically large structures that extend backward from the chassis of the tractor for about two feet. They have a wide range of swing of about 120-150° about a vertical axis. Furthermore, there can be 8-12 hydraulic hoses disposed adjacent to one another that pass through the swing tower. This means that all 8-12 hydraulic hoses are regularly bent back and forth 120-150° as the operator uses the backhoe. Unless the hydraulic hoses are carefully fixed with respect to each other and with respect to the swing tower, they will rub against each other and cause considerable wear and premature failure.  
      To prevent this, a special retention device has been provided that will hold all the hydraulic hoses in the fixed relationship with respect to each other yet permit them to flex as the swing tower pivots back and forth. By holding them in a fixed relationship with respect to each other, they are not permitted to rub each other, and thus wear is substantially reduced.  
      A simple example of a prior art retention device is shown in  FIG. 10  herein. In this FIGURE, a central bar A is fixed to two outer bars B, C with the fasteners D. The fasteners extend through bars B, C into bar A and are tightened. This creates a rigid structure having several (in this case, eight) circular apertures, each aperture being configured to support a hydraulic hose. The apertures are disposed vertically in a four rows by two columns in the block.  
      The swing tower pivots to the left and right about a generally vertical pivotal axis with respect to the tractor chassis. The retention device is preferably disposed along this vertical axis. By locating the retention device along the pivotal axis, the stresses on the hoses can be minimized.  
      There are drawbacks to the prior art retention device arrangement shown in  FIG. 10 , however. The hoses are large and stiff, typically having a diameter of one inch or more. They are thick-walled, in order to handle hydraulic fluid pressures on the order of 2500 psi. The stiff hoses are difficult to manipulate and position. In order to assemble the prior art retention device, four hydraulic hoses must be simultaneously placed in semicircular grooves in bar A. The operator must hold all hydraulic hoses in these grooves while placing bar B on top of the hydraulic hoses, thus enclosing the hoses in a vertical column of circular apertures. Then, while holding bar B firmly on top of bar A, the operator must manage to thread fasteners D into their holes on either end of bar B. This is difficult since any slackening of pressure on bars A and B will cause the ends of bars A and B to spread apart and become misaligned. Once bars A and B are assembled, the operator must go to the other side of the vehicle and repeat the process with another four hydraulic hoses and bar C.  
      The process of assembling the prior art retention device is therefore slow, tedious, and difficult. It is prone to misalignment and misthreading. Furthermore, because bars A, B, and C are typically made of steel, the prior art retention device is relatively expensive, as well.  
      What is needed is a hydraulic hose retention device for a backhoe swing tower that is easier to assemble. What is also needed is a hydraulic hose retention device that can retain hydraulic hoses as they are inserted one-by-one into the device. What is also needed is a hydraulic hose retention device that does not require simultaneous positioning of four unrestrained hydraulic hoses. What is also needed is hydraulic hose retention device that does not require significant force to hold the retention device together while threaded fasteners are installed. What is also needed is a hydraulic hose retention device that can hold the hydraulic hoses firmly, yet provide them with stress relief. It is an object of this invention to provide a hydraulic hose retention device having these capabilities in at least one of the claims below.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a hydraulic hose retention device for retaining hydraulic hoses is provided, comprising an elastomeric body having first and second faces and at least one sidewall, the body defining a plurality of apertures configured to receive and support the hydraulic hoses, the plurality of apertures extending between the first and second faces, the body further defining a plurality of slots extending between the plurality of apertures and the at least one sidewall; and a securing assembly fixed over the plurality of slots and disposed to retain the hoses in the plurality of apertures.  
      The securing assembly may comprise one or more elongated members and one or more fasteners. The one or more elongated members may comprise at least two elongated members and the one or more fasteners may comprise two threaded fasteners. The one or more elongated members may comprise one or more flexible bands that extend across the at least one sidewall of the body and are secured together to form a continuous loop. The apertures may have a diameter and each slot may have a width of between 20% and 80% of the diameter of the aperture from which the slot extends. The plurality of apertures may be oriented in a two by four array with four slots of the plurality of slots disposed on one side of the body and four slots of the plurality of slots disposed on another side of the body. The body and the sidewall may be circular and the plurality of slots and the plurality of apertures may be evenly spaced along the sidewall. The body may be elongated, and may have two opposing sidewalls along which the plurality of slots and the plurality of apertures may be disposed. The body may have a central recessed portion. The plurality of slots may have a substantially constant width over their length.  
      In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a hydraulic hose retention device for fixing hydraulic hoses together in a spaced-apart relationship is provided, the device comprising an elongated elastomeric body having two faces and first and second opposing sidewalls joining the two faces, the body defining a plurality of apertures extending between the two faces, the body further defining a plurality of slots, each of the slots coupling one of the plurality of apertures to the first or the second opposing sidewalls; and a securing assembly fixed to the elastomeric body and disposed to retain the hoses in the plurality of apertures.  
      The securing assembly may comprise a first elongated member abutting the first sidewall and a second elongated member abutting the second sidewall. The securing assembly may also comprise fasteners fixing the first and second members together end-to-end. The hydraulic hose retention device may further comprise a fastener coupling a mid-portion of the first member to a mid-portion of the second member. Each of the plurality of slots may have a width of between 20% and 80% of the width of its associated aperture. At least four of the plurality of slots may be covered by the first member and at least four of the plurality of slots may be covered by the second member. The plurality of apertures may have diameters of between 0.7 and 1.25 inches. The plurality of apertures may comprise a two column by four row array of apertures. The hydraulic hoses may extend between a tractor and a swing tower of a backhoe. The body may have a Durometer hardness of at least 50 and no more than 90.  
      These and other aspects of the invention will become clear upon examination of the FIGURES and the supporting text. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a loader-backhoe having a backhoe attachment including a swing tower and a plurality of hydraulic hoses extending through the swing tower that are fixed together by a hydraulic hose retention device.  
       FIG. 2  is a close-up view of the swing tower of  FIG. 1  showing the hydraulic hose retention device in position on the hydraulic hoses extending between the backhoe attachment and the tractor.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hydraulic hose retention device of  FIGS. 1-2  showing the elastomeric body of the hydraulic hose retention device, its slotted apertures for receiving individual hydraulic hoses, and its peripheral groove configured to support a securing assembly.  
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the elastomeric body of  FIGS. 1-3  showing the slotted apertures for receiving hydraulic hoses.  
       FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the elastomeric body of  FIGS. 1-4  taken at section line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4  and showing two slots in greater detail.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative hydraulic hose retention device having an elongated configuration instead of the circular configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-5  above.  
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of the hydraulic hose retention device of  FIG. 6  showing the circular shape of the elastomeric body and the equidistantly spaced slotted apertures disposed about the periphery of the body for receiving hydraulic hoses.  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the hydraulic hose retention device of  FIGS. 6-7 .  
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the hydraulic hose retention device of  FIGS. 6-8  assembled with hydraulic hoses shown in cross-section in each of the apertures for receiving hydraulic hoses, with a securing assembly extending around the entire periphery of the outer edge, and with the fasteners which secure ends of the securing assembly together.  
       FIG. 10  illustrates a prior art hydraulic hose retention device.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a third hydraulic hose retention device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a loader backhoe  100  includes a tractor  102 , a loader implement  104  pivotally coupled to the front of tractor  102 , and a backhoe implement  106  pivotally coupled to the rear of tractor  102 . Implement  106  includes a swing tower  108 , a boom  110 , a dipper  112 , and a bucket  114 . A hydraulic actuator called a bucket cylinder  116  is pivotally coupled to and between bucket  114  and dipper  112  to pivot the bucket with respect to the dipper about a horizontal axis. A hydraulic actuator called a dipper cylinder  118  is pivotally coupled to and between dipper  112  and boom  110  to pivot the dipper with respect to the boom about a horizontal axis. A hydraulic actuator called a boom cylinder  120  is coupled to and between the boom  110  and swing tower  108  to pivot the boom with respect to the swing tower about a horizontal axis  122 . Hydraulic actuators called boom swing cylinders  124  are coupled to and between swing tower  108  and chassis  126  of tractor  102  to pivot swing tower  108  with respect to chassis  126  about a vertical axis  128 .  
      Hydraulic hoses  130  extend between control valves  132  and cylinders  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  124 . Control valves  132  regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from cylinders  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  124  and pump  134 . Pump  134  is coupled to and driven by engine  136 . Hydraulic hoses  130  are fixed together with a hydraulic hose retention device  138  disposed in swing tower  108 .  
      Each of the hydraulic cylinders  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  124  has an extend port and a retract port that are configured to extend and retract the cylinder, respectively. A separate hydraulic hose is fixed to each of these ports. Eight hydraulic hoses are therefore required to communicate hydraulic fluid under pressure to and from the cylinders. Hydraulic hoses  130  include these eight hydraulic hoses. In addition, hydraulic hoses  130  may include additional hydraulic hoses or pneumatic lines for additional hydraulic actuators disposed on backhoe implement  106 . For example, pneumatic or hydraulic pavement breakers, grippers, or other implements may be fixed to the end of backhoe attachment  106 . These devices are powered by hydraulic fluid or compressed air that is carried by additional hydraulic hoses or pneumatic lines that are a part of hydraulic hoses  130 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , swing tower  108  is shown pivotally coupled to chassis  126  by pivot pins  140 ,  142 . The pivot pins define a substantially vertical pivotal axis  128  about which swing tower  108  pivots with respect to chassis  126 . Hydraulic hoses  130  pass through the pivotal axis  128 . They are fixed together with hydraulic hose retention device  138 , which is disposed on axis  128  and floats in the open region between the upper and lower pivot joints formed by pins  140 ,  142 .  
      Swing tower  108  includes a manifold  144  to which hydraulic hoses  130  are fixed. This manifold orients one end of the hydraulic hoses in a horizontal array  146 , four hydraulic hoses wide by two hydraulic hoses high. It also orients the hydraulic hoses to point forward toward pivotal axis  128 . The other ends of the hydraulic hoses  130  extend from control valves  132  ( FIG. 1 ). These valves are fixed to chassis  126  and also orient hydraulic hoses  130  in a horizontal array  148 , four hoses wide by two hoses high. Valves  132  also direct the ends of hydraulic hoses  130  to point backward toward pivotal axis  128 .  
      Since both front and rear ends of hydraulic hoses  130  are arranged in a four hose wide by two hose high horizontal array rather than in a two wide by four high vertical array, considerable flexing and mutual rubbing of the hydraulic hoses would occur as the swing tower pivots were it not for the hydraulic hose retention device  138 . Retention device  138  reduces this rubbing by fixing hydraulic hoses  130  in a more vertical orientation (i.e. a circle of ten hydraulic hoses) than they are arranged at each end (i.e. in the horizontal four wide by two high arrays  146 ,  148 ).  
      Hydraulic hose retention device  138  includes an elastomeric body  154  with slots  156  and a securing assembly  158 .  
      The securing assembly  158  comprises a hose clamp that further comprises an elongated member, here shown as a metal band  159 , and a fastener, here shown as screw  160 . The fastener is adjustable to selectively vary the tension in the band. The band itself is preferably flexible so it can be wrapped about the periphery of the body and its ends brought together to form a continuous loop extending about the periphery of body  154 . The ends of band  159  are fixed together with screw  160  thus holding band  159  around the circumference of body  154 , covering slots  156  and retaining hoses  130  in body  154 .  
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate the elastomeric body  154  of device  138  with the securing assembly  158  and hydraulic hoses  130  removed. Body  154  has a plurality of slots  156  disposed along its outer surface. The slots are oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the hydraulic hoses  130  ( FIGS. 1-2 ). Each of these slots  156  opens into a generally circular large diameter aperture  174  or a generally circular smaller diameter aperture  176 . Each aperture  174 ,  176  is configured to receive and support an individual hydraulic hose.  
      Elastomeric body  154  is preferably circular, planar, and in the general form of a hockey puck. It preferably has a hardness (Durometer) of at least 50 and less than 90. More preferably it has a hardness (Durometer) of at least 60 and less than 82. Even more preferably it has a hardness (Durometer) of at least 65 and less than 77). It has a side wall  162  that extends around the entire circumference of body  154  and is generally perpendicular to front face  164  and rear face  166  ( FIGS. 3, 5 ).  
      Front face  164  and rear face  166  are parallel to each other. They are preferably spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the body  154 , which is preferably between 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches, more preferably between 1.0 inch and 2.25 inches, and even more preferably between 1.25 inches and 2.0 inches.  
      A circumferential recess or groove  168  ( FIGS. 3, 5 ) is provided in side wall  162  that extends around the circumference of body  154 . Groove  168  is defined by two shoulders  170 ,  172  in sidewall  162  that are of generally equal width and likewise extend around the circumference of body  154 .  
      Body  154  preferably has an outside diameter of at least 4 and less than 7 inches. More preferably, the diameter is at least 4.5 and less than 6.5 inches. Even more preferably, the diameter is at least 5 and less than 6 inches.  
      The apertures  174 ,  176  are in the form of mutually parallel right circular cylindrical openings that extend completely through body  154  from front face  164  to rear face  166 . These apertures include eight large apertures  174  for receiving larger diameter hydraulic hoses and two smaller hydraulic hose apertures  176  for receiving smaller diameter hydraulic hoses. Each of these apertures is configured to surround and support a hydraulic hose of hydraulic hoses  130 . Apertures  174  have the same diameter since (in the preferred embodiment) apertures  174  are configured to support hydraulic hoses with the same outside diameter. All eight apertures  174  are spaced equidistantly or 45° apart, as measured from the center of body  154 . The diameter of the apertures can vary depending upon the size of the hydraulic hoses they support, but are preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of their hydraulic hoses to ensure an interference fit between the hydraulic hose and its aperture. A loose fit would permit the hydraulic hoses to slide within retention device  138  and would cause wear.  
      Apertures  174  are preferably between 0.7 inches and 1.5 inches in diameter. More preferably they are between 0.8 inches and 1.25 inches in diameter. Even more preferably, they are between 0.9 inches and 1.1 inches in diameter. The smaller diameter apertures  176  are intended for use with smaller diameter hydraulic hoses or control lines, and therefore are smaller in diameter than larger apertures  174 . The centers of all the apertures  174  are preferably disposed the same distance from the center  177  of body  154 ; the distance preferably being between 55% and 75% of the radius of body  154 . The center of each aperture  174  is disposed a constant distance from side wall  162  of body  154 , preferably between 25% and 45% of the radius of body  154 .  
      Each slot  156  extends between each of the apertures  174 ,  176  and the side wall  162 . Each slot preferably has a width less than the diameter of its associated aperture  174  or  176 , and a width less than the diameter of the hydraulic hose inserted through the slot into its associated aperture  174  or  176 . This smaller width permits the hydraulic hoses  130  to be inserted into the apertures during assembly one-by-one, and to be individually retained in place as the operator secures them in their respective apertures by covering slots  156  with securing assembly  158  ( FIG. 2 ). The width of each slot is preferably 20% to 80% of the diameter of its associated aperture  156  and hydraulic hose  130 .  
      In order to insert each hydraulic hose into its associated aperture, opposing sides  178 ,  180  ( FIG. 4 ) of slots  156  must be elastically flexed apart to receive the hydraulic hose. Once the hydraulic hose is inserted through a slot  156  and into its associated aperture  174  or  176 , the operator releases sides  178 ,  180  and permits them to relax and return to their original orientation, now holding hydraulic hose  130  in aperture  174  or  176 , and (due to the slot width being less than the outside diameter of the hydraulic hose) preventing the hydraulic hose from being withdrawn as the operator places the securing assembly  158  about the periphery of body  154  and fixes assembly  158  in place.  
      This configuration, unlike that of the prior art, permits the operator to insert hydraulic hoses  130  one-at-a-time into their corresponding apertures  174 ,  176 , until all of the hydraulic hoses have been inserted into body  154 . Once the operator has inserted all of the hydraulic hoses, the operator wraps band  159  around the periphery of body  154  in groove  168  of side wall  162 , and fixes its ends together with screw  160 . Shoulders  170 ,  172  prevent band  159  from sliding off body  154 . Once band  159  is in place, the operator can pivot swing tower  108  to its extreme right and its extreme left, confident that the tension on hydraulic hoses  130  cannot pull them out of body  154 .  
      If body  154  was solid and had a thickness of (for example) 1.7 inches, it could be difficult for the operator to manually open each slot  156  and associated aperture  174 ,  176  far enough to receive its associated hydraulic hose. For this reason, a significant portion of front and back faces  164 ,  166  is recessed to provide a thinner region both in the center of body  154  and between each of the apertures  174 .  
      Front and back faces  164 ,  166  have identical major recesses  182  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) that extend downward from the face into the central region of body  154  to a preferred depth of between 15% and 35% of the overall body  154  thickness. More preferably the depth of these recesses is between 20% and 30% of the overall thickness of body  154 . This leaves the central portion of the elastomeric body with a preferred thickness  187  ( FIG. 5 ) of 30% to 70% of the overall thickness of the body.  
      The side wall of this recess is preferably not circular, but is star-shaped, having a series of points. The points are defined by the abutting ends of a series of convex arcs forming the side wall, each arc of the series having a center located inside an adjacent aperture  174  and at the center of the adjacent aperture  174 .  
      This arrangement provides a thin inside curved wall portion  186  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) for each aperture  174  having a generally constant wall thickness. Walls  186  preferably have a radial thickness of less than 30% of the diameter of the aperture they surround and of the diameter of the hydraulic hose supported in the aperture. Walls  186  can be more easily deflected outward away from the center of aperture  174  when hydraulic hose  130  is flexed, and therefore can function as a strain relief. Further, by providing recesses  182 , the operator can more easily flex slots  156  open to insert the hydraulic hose  130 .  
      Each face  164 ,  166  also has six minor recesses  190  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) that are disposed between adjacent apertures  174 . These minor recesses  190  extend downward from each face  164 ,  166  into a peripheral region of body  154  to a depth of between 15% and 35% of the overall body  154  thickness. More preferably they extend to a depth of between 20% and 30% of the overall body  154  thickness. Like major recesses  182 , minor recesses  190  are also not circular. Recesses  190  preferably have three faces ( FIG. 4 ), each face being generally parallel to and spaced a constant distance from another surface of body  154 . First faces  192  are parallel to and spaced a constant distance from inner walls  194  of apertures  174 . Second faces  196  are parallel to and spaced a constant distance from inner walls  194  of adjacent apertures  174 . Third faces  198  are parallel to and spaced a constant distance from side walls  162  of body  154 . Minor recesses  190  also provide strain relief for each of the adjacent apertures  174 .  
       FIGS. 6-9  show a second embodiment of hydraulic hose retention device  138 , identified in  FIGS. 6-9  as hose retention device  238 .  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate the elastomeric body  254  of retention device  238 .  FIG. 9  shows hydraulic hose retention device  238  complete, together with its constituent securing assembly  258  and body  254 .  
      Body  254  is elongated with rounded (semi-circular) ends  255 ,  257  ( FIG. 7 ) and two parallel elongated straight sides  251 ,  253  ( FIG. 7 ). Sides  251 ,  253  are preferably spaced apart between 1.5 inches and 4 inches, more preferably between 1.75 inches and 3.5 inches and even more preferably between 2.0 inches and 3.25 inches. The overall length of body  254  is preferably between 4 inches and 12 inches. More preferably it is between 5 inches and 11 inches. Even more preferably it is between 6 inches and 10 inches.  
      Body  254  has a side wall  262  ( FIGS. 6, 8 ) that extends around the entire periphery of body  254  and is generally perpendicular to front face  264  and rear face  266 . Front face  264  and rear face  266  are parallel to each other and are preferably spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the body  254 , which is preferably between 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches, more preferably between 1 inch and 2.25 inches, and even more preferably between 1.25 inches and 2 inches. A peripheral groove  268  ( FIGS. 6, 8 ) formed in side wall  262  extends around the periphery of body  254 . Groove  268  is defined by two shoulders  270 ,  272  of generally equal and constant width. Groove  268  and shoulders  270 ,  272  ( FIG. 8 ) have a constant width over their entire length.  
      Elastomeric body  254  has eight hydraulic hose-receiving apertures  274  that extend completely through body  254  from front face  264  to rear face  266 . Each of these apertures is configured to surround and support a hydraulic hose  130 . The diameters of apertures  274  are preferably the same since each of apertures  274  is configured to support an identical hydraulic hose. The diameter of the apertures can vary depending upon the size of the hydraulic hoses they support, but are preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of their hydraulic hoses to provide an interference fit between each hydraulic hose and its aperture  274  when device  238  is assembled.  
      Apertures  274  are preferably between 0.7 and 1.5 inches in diameter. More preferably they are between 0.8 and 1.25 inches in diameter. Even more preferably, they are between 0.9 and 1.1 inches in diameter. The center of each aperture  274  is preferably disposed a constant distance from side wall  262  of body  254 .  
      Each aperture  274  is in the form of a circle with a slot  256  on one side. Each of slots  256  preferably has a width less than the diameter of the aperture itself, and also less than the diameter of the hydraulic hose inserted through the slot into its associated aperture  274 . The width of each slot is preferably between 20% and 80% of the diameter of its associated aperture and associated hydraulic hose  130 .  
      Each slot  256  has a pair of opposing sides  278 ,  280  ( FIGS. 6, 8 ). In order to insert the hydraulic hoses into their associated apertures, the operator flexes opposing sides  278 ,  280  of slot  256  apart to widen the slot sufficient to pass its associated hydraulic hose therethrough. The operator then inserts the hydraulic hose  130  into associated aperture  274 . The operator then releases opposing sides  278 ,  280 , permitting them to relax and return to a closed position surrounding the hydraulic hose (shown in  FIGS. 6-9 ). In this position, slot  256  is narrower than the diameter of both hydraulic hose  130  and aperture  256 , and therefore holds the hydraulic hose  130  in place in body  254  until it can be secured with securing assembly  258 . By providing for individual retention of each hydraulic hose in body  254 , this configuration permits the operator to insert hydraulic hoses one-at-a-time into their corresponding apertures.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , securing assembly  258  is disposed about the periphery of body  254 , and is disposed in peripheral groove or recess  268  in body  254 . Securing assembly  258  comprises two elongated members (here shown as two bands  259 ,  261 ) and two threaded fasteners  269  that fix the ends of the bands together to form a continuous loop extending about the entire periphery of the body. Band  259  extends about the upper half of elastomeric body  254 . Band  261  extends about the lower half of elastomeric body  254 . Bands  259 ,  261  are preferably U-shaped, are made of metal and are rigid. Each band  259 ,  261  has two straight, parallel, and facing end portions  263  that are coupled to an arcuate central portion  265  disposed between the end portions  263 . Each band  259 ,  261  has two ends. Each of these ends includes a flange  267  which is disposed at a right angle to the rest of end portions  263  of bands  259 ,  261 . Flanges  267  are disposed at the ends of end portions  263  and extend outward at right angles both from end portions  263  and from side wall  262  of body  254 . Holes (not shown) are formed in each of flanges  267  to receive threaded fasteners  269 . These fasteners fix flanges  267  of bands  259 ,  261  together on opposite sides of body  254 , thus forming band  258  as a continuous loop extending around the entire periphery of body  254 . Fasteners  269  are adjustable in length to draw adjacent flanges  267  closer together or farther apart, thereby permitting the operator to selectively vary the tension and length of the band.  
      Front and back faces  264 ,  266  ( FIG. 8 ) of body  254  have identical major recesses  282  ( FIG. 7, 9 ) that preferably extend downward from the face into the central region of body  254  to a depth of between 15% and 35% of the overall body  254  thickness. More preferably the depth is between 20% and 30% of the overall thickness of body  254 . The recesses  282  define a recessed central portion  287  of the body having a thickness less than the overall thickness of the body  294 .  
      The recesses  282  provide a thin inside curved wall portion  286  ( FIG. 7 ) for each aperture  274  having a generally constant wall thickness. Walls  286  preferably have a thickness in a radial direction from the center of aperture  274  of less than 30% of both the diameter of the aperture and the diameter of the hydraulic hose supported in the aperture  274 . Walls  286  can be more easily deflected outward away from the center of aperture  274  when hydraulic hose  130  is flexed, and therefore function as a strain relief. Further, by providing recesses  282 , the operator can more easily flex slots  256  open to insert the hydraulic hose  130 .  
      Each face  264 ,  266  also has two minor recesses  290  ( FIG. 7 ) that are disposed on either side of major recesses  282 . They preferably extend into the body between 15% and 35% of the overall thickness of body  254 , and more preferably between 20% and 30% of the overall thickness of body  254 . Recesses  290  have four faces and provide strain relief for each of the adjacent apertures  274 .  
      The retaining device  238  of  FIGS. 6-9  may be substituted for the device  138  of  FIGS. 1-5  to fix the hydraulic hoses  130  together. It is oriented vertically when attached to the hydraulic hoses such that the apertures  274  are disposed in a two wide by four high array and retain all eight hydraulic hoses  130  with two auxiliary hydraulic hoses for the auxiliary devices discussed above with regard to  FIGS. 1-3  being disposed in apertures  276 .  
       FIG. 11  illustrates a third hydraulic hose retention device  292  comprising an elastomeric body  294  and a securing assembly  295 . The body has a plurality of apertures, each aperture being configured to support a corresponding one of hydraulic hoses  130 .  
      The securing assembly  295  preferably comprises two elongated rigid members  296 ,  298  and three elongated threaded fasteners  300 ,  302 , 304  that extend through members  296 ,  298  and through body  294 . When tightened, the fasteners pull the members inward and the members compress elastomeric body  294  between them. Fasteners  300 ,  302 , 304  include bolts or screws  306 ,  308 ,  310 ; washers  312 ,  314 ,  316 ; and nuts  318 ,  320 ,  322 , respectively.  
      The three fasteners  300 ,  302 , 304  extend, respectively, through three elongated and parallel holes  324 . These three holes extend through the elastomeric body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of body  294  (the “L” direction) and parallel to the width W of the body. One hole  324  extends through body  294  adjacent to the upper end of the body, one hole  324  extends through body  294  adjacent to the lower end of the body, and one hole  324  extends through body  294  at the midpoint of the body. Holes  324  are dimensioned slightly larger than the outer diameter of bolts  306 ,  308 ,  310  to permit these bolts to be inserted through the holes without interference.  
      Elastomeric body  294  is generally rectangular and elongated, having a thickness T, a width W, and a length L. L is greater than W which is greater than T. The preferred thickness of body  294  is between 0.5 and 1.5 inches. The preferred width of body  294  is between 2.5 inches and 5 inches. The preferred length of body  294  is between five inches and ten inches.  
      Body  294  preferably has a hardness (Durometer) of at least 50 and less than 90. More preferably it has a hardness (Durometer) of at least 60 and less than 82. Even more preferably it has a hardness (Durometer) of at least 65 and less than 77).  
      Eight circular and mutually parallel apertures  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  338 , and  340  extend through body  294  parallel to its thickness T. The apertures extend between front face F and rear face R, joining the faces together. The apertures are organized as a rectangular two by four array. They are also organized as two parallel and equidistantly spaced columns of four apertures each. They are also organized as four parallel rows of two apertures each, with the two upper rows of apertures  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332  spaced the same distance apart as the two lower rows of apertures  334 ,  336 ,  338 ,  340 . The apertures are divided into two blocks of four apertures such that four apertures  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332  are disposed between middle fastener  302  and upper fastener  300 , and four apertures  334 ,  336 ,  338 ,  340  are disposed between middle fastener  302  and lower fastener  304 .  
      The edge where each aperture joins the front F and rear R faces of body  294  is rounded, beveled or broken to provide strain relief for the hydraulic hoses supported inside the apertures. When the hydraulic hoses are bent, this rounded, beveled or broken edge reduces the stress concentrations on the hydraulic hose.  
      In the preferred embodiment, illustrated here, the apertures have the same diameter, preferably between 0.7 and 1.25 inches in diameter. The longitudinal axes of each aperture are parallel, and these axes are perpendicular to front face F and rear face R of body  294  and parallel to the longitudinal sidewalls  344 ,  346  of the body  294 .  
      Each of the eight apertures has an associated slot  342  that extends between their associated aperture and the sidewalls of the body  294 . The width of slots  342  is preferably 20% to 80% of the diameter of the aperture associated with each slot and also 20% and 80% of the outside diameter of the hydraulic hose received in that aperture. The width is preferably constant over substantially the entire length of the slots. The length of the slots in direction of width “W”, which extends between the side wall and the aperture joined by the slot, is preferably the same for all the slots on one side of the body  294 . It is also preferably the same for all slots on the other side of the body  294 . The lengths of the slots on both sides of the body  294  are preferably the same.  
      Elongated members  296 ,  298  are preferably rigid, comprised of steel and are as long as body  294 . Each member  296 ,  298  has holes that may be aligned coaxial with holes  324 . It is through these holes that the fasteners are inserted.  
      The holes in the members  296 ,  298  are dimensioned such that the head of the fastener compresses the elongated members  296 ,  298  against body  294  preventing the slots  342  from being elastically flexed apart. This prevents the eight hydraulic hoses  130  (one shown) in the apertures from being removed. The heads and nuts of the fasteners  300 ,  302 ,  304  pull inwardly against the members  296 ,  298  compressing the members against the elastomeric body  294 .  
      Elongated members  296 ,  298  do not directly contact the hydraulic hoses supported in the apertures. The hydraulic hoses are supported in each aperture and are spaced apart from the rigid members such that they do not contact the rigid members during operation of vehicle  100 . One hydraulic hose  130  of eight identical hydraulic hoses supported in the eight body apertures is shown in  FIG. 11 .  
      Members  296 ,  298  are disposed in elongated grooves  348  formed in side walls  344 ,  346  in body  294 . Each of grooves  348  defines two opposing shoulders that abut the outer edges of members  296 ,  298 , thereby helping to orient the members over holes  324 .  
      To assemble hydraulic hose retention device  292 , the operator flexes slots  342  apart one-at-a-time. When each slot  342  is flexed open, the operator inserts a hose  130  through the slot and into its associated aperture in the body. Once all eight hoses are inserted into their apertures, the operator places each of the two members  296 ,  298  into their elongated slots  348  and inserts bolts through the now-aligned holes in the members and holes  324  in the body. The operator then places washers  312 ,  314 ,  316  over the bolts and threads nuts  318 ,  320 ,  322  onto the ends of the bolts. The operator then tightens the nuts on the bolts to compress the elastomeric body  294 . This prevents the hydraulic hoses  130  from sliding in body  294  and chafing.  
      The hydraulic hose retention device  292  may be used in place of retention device  138  in  FIG. 1  and is preferably oriented vertically in a two column by four row arrangement with each aperture  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  338 ,  340 , surrounding and supporting a separate hydraulic hose  130 .  
      It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not considered to be limited to what is illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.  
      For example, the securing assembly need not be limited to the embodiments above, but may comprise a flexible band or rigid member, in one, two, three or more individual segments that are fastened together to extend about the periphery of the elastomeric body. The fasteners that fasten them together may comprise any combination of fasteners, which may be removable or fixed, and may include screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, welds, or adhesives.