Area Business News

Gary Smith, owner of Hydraulic Hose Service, isn’t new to the hydraulic business. Gary’s 47 year work history entails experience with mechanics, auto parts sales, and machine work.

A 33 year career with Macomb Auto Parts/Carquest Corporation is where he gained the most of his experience in complete automotive machine services. 

Gary enjoyed helping customers find a solution to whatever problem they had even if it was not necessarily machine shop related. 

He is well known in the area and customers were known to come from several miles away just for his expertise. Thinking ahead for retirement, a hydraulic hose business at home was a vision he had for quite awhile. And, through the years, he slowly began purchasing inventory. 

When retirement was approaching in the fall of 2024, Gary learned the Car Quest Macomb store was one of the company’s nationwide locations soon to be closing. 

He continued working until the store officially closed, retiring on February 15, 2025. During the store’s closing, he purchased equipment and more inventory and began the process of setting up shop at his residence.

Gary’s Hydraulic Hose Service includes over 500 different Gates hose ends, 300+ adapters and quick couplers including flat face. Inventory also includes 1/4” up to 1” 2-wire hose, 3/8”  up to 1 1/4” 4-wire hose including LP gas hose, 200 PSI shop air hose, Ag and industrial battery cable assemblies, and DOT approved air brake hose. 

The shop is located about 4 miles northeast of La Harpe at 22815 E. 0th St, La Harpe.