Mike: No I didn't ruin the hoses and I've got the replacement hydralic press in brass fittings. Yes it does take a specialized press to mount them back on the hoses. The inner brass fittings have to be expanded back inplace to secure the couplings to the hose ends. Mine are 4" in size.

Fortunately, I have access to a full-time career fire department hose shop to mount my couplings back on the hard suction hoses. The guys down at the fire maintenance shop told me I could use their equipment to remount the couplings when they get back from the chrome shop.

I do not know if you have access to a like maintenance facility in MD. You might ask your local FD if you can use their tools and presses to break it down and the remount the couplings. I know I am lucky here in Virginia Beach.

BTW: The fire shop guys tell me with the modern hoses, they just cut off the couplings on each end to remove them. I didn't want to cut them off as it would shorten my hoses and they wouldn't fit like original in my truck hose trays.

Last edited by Virginiafiretruck; 12/31/2009 4:42 AM. Reason: Added new info