Hydraulic Engineering Machinery

Benefits of Hydraulic Engineering Machinery

Tips for Maintaining Your Hydraulic Engineering Machinery

Hydraulic Fluid Maintenance
The hydraulic fluid powers the hydraulic machinery by transmitting pressure and energy throughout the system. It performs other critical functions, such as reducing friction and lubricating the system to prevent rust and corrosion. It also removes heat and contaminants, such as dirt and debris, from the hydraulic system.

For the fluid to perform these functions effectively, it must remain uncontaminated and clean. Factors such as system overheating and contamination can negatively impact the fluid and reduce its effectiveness. The first step of hydraulic fluid maintenance is visually inspecting the fluid and hydraulic system for:

• System leaks: Check your hydraulic system for liquid pooling or stains, which indicate leaks, and fix these before they get out of hand.

• Fluid discoloration: Look for sudden changes in hydraulic fluid color that give it a milky or bubbly appearance. This kind of color change indicates contamination by water or air.

• Hydraulic system odor: Be alert to a burnt oil smell, which indicates overheated system components.

Filter indicators effectively display the level of contamination using a pop-up indicator or a gauge. Additionally, chemical fluid testing measures levels of contamination that the naked eye can’t detect. It’s performed in a laboratory and reveals the amounts of air, water, and dirt in the fluid, as well as the chemical reactions that may be taking place.

Here are tips to care for your hydraulic fluid to prevent contamination:

• Monitor system temperature levels: Measure the system’s temperature regularly to ensure it’s not too hot or cold. When it’s too hot, the water in the fluid evaporates, reducing viscosity and film thickness, subsequently increasing friction and wear of the components. When temperatures are too low, it causes an increase in viscosity, leading to excessive pressure drop and cavitation.

• Check fluid levels regularly: Top off fluids as necessary to prevent cavitation, poor performance, and overheating. Most manufacturers also recommend emptying and changing your fluid every 1,000 days or when contamination is detected. Always use the same brand, type, and viscosity of hydraulic fluid recommended by the manufacturer to prevent system failures.

• Maintain a clean environment: Keep the drain lines, reservoir cover, filter bowl, fill cap, and breather fill openings clean to prevent contamination. Wipe off any dirt and grime from the exterior of your machinery using a lint-free cloth to prevent contaminants from entering the system. Additionally, perform maintenance in a clean workspace.

• Inspect the pump and reservoir: Check the inside of the pump and reservoir for contamination and signs of aeration, like foam and air bubbles. Aeration can damage the pump and is typically caused by high fluid viscosity, air leaks in the suction seals, and low fluid levels.

Component Maintenance
The hydraulic system consists of many components. Here’s how to maintain some of these main parts:

• Check for leaks in hydraulic lines, which consist of components such as hoses, fittings, tubings, connections, and seals. They deteriorate over time due to wear and tear, increasing the risk of bursts in the closed system.

• Check for overheating and excessive electricity usage in the hydraulic electric motor using a thermometer. Servicing is necessary to prevent extensive equipment damage if the areas around the housing and rotor bearings are too hot.

• Check filter indicators and differential pressure gauges and replace any that show negative values or signs of wear.

• Change clogged filters regularly to ensure the system continually performs optimally.

• Check seals for damage or leaks and replace them if necessary. These may indicate rod corrosion caused by excess friction.

Preventive Maintenance Tips
While maintaining your hydraulic system is an ongoing process, regular preventive measures are essential to ensure optimal performance. Preventive maintenance involves pre- and post-operation inspections, repairs, and replacements. It aims to detect anticipated problems and stop them before they occur to avoid unplanned breakdowns and downtime.

Here are some preventive hydraulic system maintenance tips:

• Test performance: Routine system checks for oil levels, temperatures, case drain flow, and actuator speed reveal how your hydraulic system is performing. A slow and steady decrease in performance is normal with any machinery, but rapid drops indicate a potentially catastrophic issue that must be fixed quickly.

• Record routine maintenance activities: Maintain a clear schedule that documents regular preventive maintenance activities such as inspections, servicing, and part replacements. Keeping records of these activities helps prioritize them.

• Filter hydraulic fluid: Before adding fresh hydraulic fluid to the system, filter it to reduce the risk of contamination.

• Check and replace hydraulic filters: Regularly check your hydraulic filters before the manufacturer’s recommended date to prevent contamination of the hydraulic fluid. Install high-quality filters to ensure the fluid is efficiently and effectively decontaminated before circulating in the system.

● Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance involves taking measures to address problems discovered in the hydraulic system. These problems may be identified during preventive maintenance and addressed before they escalate or after a system breakdown.

An example of corrective hydraulic system maintenance measures is draining all existing hydraulic fluid after significant levels of contamination are discovered. Repairing and replacing hydraulic system components, such as the pump, accumulator, and valves, after a breakdown also constitutes corrective maintenance measures.

Factors to Consider When Selecting the Hydraulic Engineering Machinery