Conveniently placed inside a portable workshop container, Hastings Deering and Caterpillar’s hydraulic hose assembly tooling solutions give operators the ability to safely build, repair, and maintain hose assemblies on site, reducing downtime and maximising machine uptime.
Formed to serve the demanding needs of heavy equipment operations across Australia, Queensland-based FERHM has built its reputation on keeping machines turning and projects moving.
With a strong foundation in earthmoving and transport equipment sales and repairs across Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales, the company has steadily grown into a trusted partner for industries where equipment uptime is mission-critical.
The business recognises that hydraulic hoses are the lifelines of earthmoving, mining, and construction machines. A single failure can bring production to a halt, costing thousands of dollars per hour in lost productivity.
Recognising the emergency-driven, time-sensitive nature of hose and coupling failures, FERHM has invested heavily in Caterpillar and Hastings Deering’s on-site hydraulic hose assembly tooling solutions.
By equipping its teams with Caterpillar’s state-of-the-art crimpers, assembly tools, and hose inventory, FERHM empowers its service technicians to respond rapidly on site, keeping downtime to an absolute minimum.
Earthmoving Equipment Magazine visited the premises of FERHM client and Brisbane earthmoving plant hire business Local Plant Hire recently to find out more about the benefits of the hose service containers, which include various crimping and cutting equipment supported by training and data for assembling reliable hose assemblies.
We spoke to Hastings Deering Hydraulic Hose Product Specialist Duane Mead and FERHM founder Hudson Allard-Delahunt.
Duane said that he and his team had been out in the field busy spreading the word about the hose solutions in the Brisbane region when first approached by FERHM.
“They were keen on finding out more about our hose solutions and what we could offer,” he said.
“They began with our smallest do-it-yourself option: a hose saw, hose crimper and associated tooling and parts.
“They went out and bought their own container to fit it out, and we provided all the tooling, hose and couplings and after-support.
“It’s fair to say they were impressed. From there, they provided Hastings Deering with a fleet list of machines that they serviced.
“Based off that fleet list, we were able to recommend the correct size tooling for the number and sizes of machines and models.
“We ended up going with the smallest saw option — the EM6 saw — to fit out his 20 foot container, coupled with an M6 press.”
The M6 is a hose crimper that allows the technician to manually dial in the crimp spec of couplings for various industry standards, and securely crimps the hydraulic coupling onto a hydraulic hose, forming a factory-standard hose assembly.
It ensures that every hose assembly is produced to exact Caterpillar specifications. Unlike generic crimping equipment, Cat crimpers are engineered to work seamlessly with Caterpillar’s extensive hose and coupling product line, guaranteeing the right fit and the right performance standard every time.
“This enables hose assemblies to meet the rigorous demands of Caterpillar machines as well as mixed-fleet applications where uptime is just as vital,” Duane said.
One of the standout advantages of Cat crimpers is their ease of use. Operators in workshops or in the field can rely on automated crimp settings and intuitive controls that reduce the margin for error.
By eliminating the guesswork and maintaining uniformity, Cat crimpers deliver consistent, high-quality assemblies whether a technician is building one hose or an entire batch.
The result is not just faster service, but safer service — minimising the risk of hose failure that could lead to costly downtime or equipment damage.
Duane said that Hastings Deering had the ability to tailor make and custom build these containers with the correct tooling to service the size of fleets that the customer needed.
“So using the FERHM fleet list, we were able to use that data to provide and recommend the tooling sizes that would service those machines effectively,” he said.
“Obviously we can upgrade if we need to. As FERHM’s business grows, we can grow with them by providing bigger models.”
Duane said the main advantage of the solutions package lay not only in speed, but in autonomy.
“For high-volume repairs and replacements, your Cat dealer can deliver a full hose shop container directly to your jobsite. Ideal for mine sites in remote locations, these fully-equipped containers get equipment back to work quickly, with dealer labour available to help maximise your resources,” he said.
“With the solutions on hand, FERHM doesn’t need to rely on external workshops or suppliers for urgent repairs.
“Instead, technicians can cut, assemble, and install replacement hoses directly in the field.
“This level of service autonomy dramatically reduces wait times and ensures machines are returned to operation quickly, no matter the location or operating environment.”
Connecting to the cloud
Beyond tools, FERHM has embraced Caterpillar’s digital platforms to strengthen its operations.
The company integrates the Hydraulic Information System 2.0 (HIS2.0) for technical details on hose builds and parts.cat.com (PCC) and Cat Central to streamline inventory replenishment.
This digital integration allows businesses to standardise hose builds across multiple sites, streamline inventory control, and improve compliance with quality standards.
“These technologies ensure every hose assembly is tracked, documented, and fully aligned with Caterpillar’s specifications,” Duane said.
“They also enable stock control, helping FERHM keep the right fittings, couplings, and hose types on hand for fast response in the field.”
Hastings Deering also provides support by using the many digital CAT tools available, and giving customers access to portals that provide hose assembly information as well as the ability for online ordering.
“The FERHM team can log on to find information and solutions to any issues that they’re experiencing, or even just any feedback for continuous improvement,” Duane said.
“It’s pretty easy to replenish a container. We can ring our local business centre in Brisbane, talk to any of our parts and interpreters or technical parts advisors, place the order with them and then have it either delivered, or FERHM can go pick it up.
“Or we can order them online.
“We’re always available on the phone to take a call from them or any customer for that matter, and are there to support them.”
Three-dimensional
Hastings Deering and Caterpillar offer three levels of Hose Solutions for its services:
- customer-only, where customers handle assembly and installation with the dealer providing parts, supplies, and tooling;
- customer-plus-dealer, where the dealer provides hose and coupling assembly and on-site inspections; and
- dealer-only, the highest level, with the dealer managing complete assembly, inspection, and on-site installation to maximise uptime for the customer.
Customer only
“Here, the customer assembles and installs their own hoses and couplings, while we provide the necessary hydraulic hose, couplings, and tooling,” Duane said.
“It’s best for customers who have the resources and expertise for on-site assembly and installation but want to streamline parts and tooling procurement.”
Customer plus dealer
“With this, the customer and dealer work together. This level of service is delivered through either one of our mobile hose van fleets or by leasing a ‘manned’ hose container solution,” Duane said.
“We do the hose and coupling assembly, remove and install, and conduct on-site hose inspections to help prevent downtime.
“This suits customers looking to offload assembly tasks and receive expert on-site inspections to ensure system reliability.
“So for example, if customers decide to go with a larger size container — 40 foot and up — we can offer a computer specced container with that press, which comes with Cat software built into the system, which they can use in conjunction with the HIS2.0 system that we give them access to.
“Each container can be bespoke and customised depending on the size of the fleet as well. So the bigger the container, the bigger the tooling.”
Dealer only
With this agreement, the customer relies on the Cat dealer for comprehensive service management.
“Every one of our business centres across Queensland and the NT has hose-building capability,” Duane said.
“This gives customers total convenience and maximum uptime, where the dealer manages most or all of the hose and coupling manufacturing process, and can deliver the hoses directly to the customer; or customers can also come into the branch to pick up.”
Duane said Hastings Deering training was provided at its institution of technology for Customer-only and Customer-plus-dealer services.
“Customers can come in, and they spend four days completing an accredited course on how to manufacture and build hoses,” he said.
“They can find out more about the course by speaking to their local product support representative or calling 131 228.”
Peace of mind
Duane said that all the tooling comes with a two-year warranty.
“When you buy a Cat, it’s like being part of a family,” he said.
“We have all the different things that we can support you with. You don’t just buy a good set of tools or a great container, you actually partner with a support network that will look after your company from start to finish at any level.”
FERHM hand
For FERHM, there’s no doubt that the combination of Caterpillar hydraulic hose products, advanced tooling, and intelligent inventory systems has created a service model built on responsiveness and reliability.
At the site where we spoke, FERHM was responsible for maintaining and servicing Local Plant Hire’s fleet, looking after all breakdowns, while also providing hydraulic hoses and hydraulic repairs on the machines.
A mechanical fitter by trade, Hudson said Hastings Deering was extremely helpful when he first dipped his toes into the hose repair business.
“Initially I wanted a venture on the side, something mobile, nice and small,” he said.
“Hastings Deering came to the table with a site solution that they could provide and worked together with me.
“They helped customise a container and built it to exactly what I needed for my size. It was not too expensive and had just the right amount of stock needed to service all my equipment.
“I purchased the cutter, then as the business grew, the crimper and then all the hoses and couplings and all the tooling that met Cat specification.
“I love the digital platforms. We use the HIS2.0 to break down the hose into individual pieces, all with their part numbers so that they can be purchased online if needed. Then we just go pick it up from the Acacia Ridge branch: it’s all there, ready, packed in a box, ready to go.
“I keep a fair stack of inventory on hand. I work out with Hastings about quantities and recommended quantities to hold, and then we just re-order parts as my system tells me when I’m getting low on stock.
“I order all my parts straight through Cat Central and then I can fast track it, put it on emergency freight all through my phone and have it all there ready when needed.”
Hudson said the service from Hastings Deering had been impeccable.
“I have the team on call and they pretty much answer every time with anything I need,” he said.
“They’ll come down and see me and help me out if needed.
“The maintenance on all the tooling is very helpful. They show me how to service the equipment and give me all the parts, all organised with maintenance schedules for each bit of tooling.
Hudson also welcomed the versatility of the Cat couplings.
“Cat couplings cross over to all types of brands, so I can make Cat hoses fit onto any type of machinery that I service and have any breakdowns on,” he said.
“We want to continue to grow as a business.
“And that means we want to get larger hoses, larger couplings.
“We are very happy to work with Cat and Hastings Deering because we know they support us all the way.”