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Maintenance Tips for Hydraulics and Hydraulic Hoses

If you own or operate heavy equipment, you understand the critical importance of proper hydraulic system function. Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky Hydraulic system components are relied upon for tasks like digging, lifting, and material movement. Ensuring your hydraulics operate smoothly is essential for the mobility and efficiency of your equipment.

Modern machinery features highly sophisticated hydraulic systems that are dependable as long as thorough hydraulic maintenance and regular inspections are performed. This maintenance encompasses tasks such as meticulous examination of hydraulic hoses, regular replacement of hydraulic filters, and periodic analysis of hydraulic fluid.

However, maintaining hydraulics goes beyond hoses, filters, and fluid; it involves creating a comprehensive preventive maintenance plan for the entire hydraulic system. Let’s explore what steps you can take to ensure your equipment’s hydraulics are always ready to perform efficiently.

1. Hydraulic Systems Overview: Modern hydraulic systems use a pump to convert mechanical energy from a motor into fluid energy. Pressurized hydraulic oil is then transmitted through lines into cylinders to perform work, adhering to Pascal’s Law, which states that pressurized fluid transmits equal pressure in all directions.
2. Common Hydraulic System Failures: The leading cause of hydraulic system failures is fluid contamination, which is even more prevalent in earthmoving equipment due to constant exposure to dirt and debris. Contaminants can enter the system in various forms, including ingress contamination, catalytic contamination, generated contamination, natural contamination, and built-in contamination.
3. Maintenance & Inspection Practices: Preventative maintenance is crucial for the longevity and reliability of hydraulic systems. It involves a routine schedule of pre- and post-operation inspections, as well as regular maintenance tasks. A well-structured preventive maintenance program encompasses problem prevention and correction.
4. Recognizing Warning Signs: To determine when hydraulic components need replacement, watch out for warning signs such as hydraulic oil discoloration, leaks, deterioration of hydraulic lines, fatigue, corrosion, unusual system noise, and changes in hydraulic control behavior.
5. Tips for Prolonging Component Life: Extend the life of hydraulic system components with these tips:

• Monitor hydraulic pumps for unusual noise, vibrations, and temperature.
• Inspect hydraulic cylinders for rust and store machines with retracted cylinders.
• Check hydraulic lines for loose fittings and worn seals.
• Examine hydraulic hoses for routing and damage.
• Keep hydraulic reservoirs topped off and sealed.
• Ensure proper selection and installation of hydraulic filters.
• Use high-quality hydraulic fluid appropriate for your system.

6. Importance of Hydraulic Fluid Analysis: Regular hydraulic fluid analysis is an economical investment that provides early detection of issues. Tests typically include oil wear rate analysis, oil cleanliness analysis, and oil condition analysis, helping identify component wear, contamination, and impurities.
7. Maintaining a Clean Service Environment: Servicing hydraulic systems in a clean environment is essential to prevent contamination. While field servicing is possible, an enclosed shop environment offers superior protection against dust and moisture, safeguarding your hydraulic components.

At Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky, we understand the significance of cleanliness in maintaining hydraulic components. Our shop service facilities provide a clean and controlled environment for hydraulic maintenance, ensuring the longevity and performance of your equipment’s hydraulics. We also offer hydraulic fluid analysis and hydraulic system evaluations to help keep your machinery in optimal condition.

Maintenance Procedures:

Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky Daily Maintenance:

• Regularly inspect oil levels in the power unit tanks.
• Monitor oil temperature for any unusual changes.
• Examine the oil for the presence of water or dirt.
• Check for any visible leaks.
• Inspect and securely tighten screws and pipe clamps.
• Verify the accuracy of pressure gauge readings.
• Pay attention to the running noise of pumps and electric motors for any abnormal sounds.
• Empty drip pans located in valve panels.
• Seek out potential leaks in valve groups by cleaning an area before inspection.
• Maintain cleanliness on surfaces of pipes, components, and tanks.
• Consult operators to identify any required service or maintenance.
• Review the service book for operator-recorded issues.

Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky Maintenance Tasks Every Six Weeks:

• Evaluate air filters for cleanliness.
• Replace filter elements with contamination indicators when they indicate a dirty filter.
• Perform an inspection of, and fully clean the strainer in the cooling water pipe.
• Perform a thorough check of the hydraulic power unit and search for possible leaks.
• Examine piping connections for potential leaks.
• Tighten any loose connections while pumps are stopped, ensuring they are only tightened enough to stop the leak.
• Replace any fittings or pipes that continue to leak after tightening, including any leaking seals.
• Assess the condition of hydraulic hoses, removing significant dirt buildups. Replace hoses with cracks or signs of oil seepage.
• Inspect all hydraulic cylinders for cleanliness, especially around piston rod pivots.
• Tighten pipe clamps as needed.
• Secure bolts on pumps, electric motors, valves, etc.
• Document all maintenance activities in the service book.

Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky Maintenance Tasks Every Six Months:

• Send an oil sample to the oil manufacturer or a reputable oil testing service to analyze for contaminants and wear. Testing should include viscosity, wear metals, particle count, and, in hot conditions, the neutralization value.
• Check the pre-charge pressure of accumulators if the machine has them.
• Review the service book for recurring issues and address any maintenance requests recorded in the book.

Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky Annual Maintenance:

• Drain the power unit oil tank and thoroughly clean it, removing accumulated dirt from the tank’s interior. Use an approved cleaning solution provided by the oil supplier for tank cleaning. Avoid using cotton waste or clothes during the cleaning process. If there’s a delay before refilling the tank, keep it sealed to prevent moisture ingress.
• Flush the piping system.
• If the oil is to be reused, ensure it’s drained into clean containers.
• During refilling, filter the new or reused oil using a separate filter unit.
• Inspect pump and motor couplings.
• If proportional valves require servicing, contact the component manufacturer or an authorized service engineer for maintenance.
• Test all hydraulically actuated components to assess the condition of the Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild Kentucky hydraulic system.

In any maintenance or troubleshooting situation, please remember that it is always best to err on the side of caution and safety. If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts, please do not hesitate to contact a trained maintenance technician who can help you.