Four Hydraulic Equipment Maintenance Tips for the Construction Industry
The construction industry relies on hydraulic equipment in just about every project imaginable, including extraction, grading, compaction, foundation construction and more. Since hydraulic equipment plays a primary role for construction companies, it’s important to schedule and carry out maintenance on a regular basis.
These four hydraulic equipment maintenance tips relevant to the construction industry will help construction businesses learn more about what they should expect in terms of hydraulic equipment maintenance on a daily, weekly and monthly timeline.
What Daily Maintenance Does Hydraulic Construction Equipment Require?
Proper construction equipment maintenance starts with on-point daily checks and basic upkeep. This includes:
- Fluid checks – Before operating the system’s hydraulic pump or power unit, one of your operators should check the hydraulic fluid reservoir to ensure fluid levels are adequate. If there are obvious signs of fluid contamination such as sediment clearly visible in the reservoir, additional maintenance will be necessary.
- Leak checks – Prior to starting work, your operators should check all hydraulic pumps/power units, hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic hoses/lines for any signs of hydraulic fluid leaks. Keep an eye out for fluid residues on hydraulic equipment or hydraulic fluid pooling around equipment or hoses.
- Hydraulic line and fitting checks – Wear to your hydraulic lines and loose fittings are primary contributors to hydraulic fluid contamination and other significant issues. Before operation, walk the length of your hydraulic lines and verify that they remain in good working condition. Tighten any fittings to ensure contaminants cannot ingress into the system.
- Hydraulic system calibration – Proper system calibration is necessary before beginning work. Your operators should check all hydraulic valves (particularly the control valve) to ensure that flow volume and direction are set where they need to be. Further, ensure that your gauges and sensors are also calibrated to verify that they’re ready for work.
What are the Weekly Maintenance Requirements for Hydraulic Equipment for the Construction Industry?
On a weekly basis, your equipment operators should be prepared for more detailed, more intensive maintenance that includes the following:
- Full hydraulic system cleaning – Hydraulic fluid contamination is the number one cause of system failures, and the number one way to prevent that contamination is to keep your construction equipment clean, especially where the hydraulic components are located. Wipe down all hydraulic pumps, power units and cylinders to protect your hydraulic fluid’s integrity and prevent it from taking on contamination.
- Filter checks – Hydraulic filters need to be replaced periodically. On a weekly basis, your operators should check all filters and ensure they are clean. If any filters indicate needing replacement, switch them out.
- Hardware tightening – To ensure safe operation, have your equipment operators check all important fasteners and torque them to specification. This includes boom pins and track bolts.
- Full hydraulic system cleaning – Hydraulic fluid contamination is the number one cause of system failures, and the number one way to prevent that contamination is to keep your construction equipment clean, especially where the hydraulic components are located. Wipe down all hydraulic pumps, power units and cylinders to protect your hydraulic fluid’s integrity and prevent it from taking on contamination.
What Monthly Maintenance is Needed for Hydraulic Construction Equipment?
At least once a year (but maybe more often depending on the nature of your project), hydraulic equipment needs a detailed, full round of maintenance. This includes the following:
- A full breakdown and inspection – At specified manufacturer intervals, all hydraulic power units and hydraulic cylinders should be disassembled by an expert technician and inspected for signs of contamination, corrosion, aeration/cavitation and component wear. It’s critical that this be done in a clean environment and while observing best assembly/disassembly practices, as contamination may be introduced into the system otherwise.
- Hydraulic line and component replacement – Your equipment’s hydraulic lines and secondary components (seals, bearings, gears and so on) will require periodic replacement to prevent major technical failures. This is typically done during a full system inspection, but component replacements may be necessary if contamination or other issues are emerging with your construction equipment.
- Pressure and flow testing – Occasional performance testing is recommended to verify that your valves, accumulators and other hydraulic system components are performing as expected. If there are any discrepancies between expected and actual values, follow up with a technician before a catastrophic failure occurs.
- A full breakdown and inspection – At specified manufacturer intervals, all hydraulic power units and hydraulic cylinders should be disassembled by an expert technician and inspected for signs of contamination, corrosion, aeration/cavitation and component wear. It’s critical that this be done in a clean environment and while observing best assembly/disassembly practices, as contamination may be introduced into the system otherwise.
When it’s time for your hydraulic equipment to undergo a round of manufacturer-recommended maintenance, it’s best to schedule it through a reputable hydraulic equipment supplier and technician. An experienced construction equipment technician will guarantee the best results for your hydraulic maintenance.
What are Some Signs That Your Hydraulic Construction Equipment Needs Maintenance?
If your hydraulic maintenance is performed on schedule and on time, you’ll be able to avoid many preventable breakdowns. Even with proper hydraulic equipment maintenance, your operators will need to keep their eyes (and ears) open for potential issues. If any of the following are true, then it’s time to follow up with a trusted hydraulic equipment technician:
- Unusual sounds – Whining, banging and gurgling are all troubling sounds and may indicate aeration or excessive wear to your system’s components.
- Loss of power or inconsistent power delivery – Reduced or inconsistent power output is often a sign of hydraulic fluid leaks, including internal leaks that may not be obvious.
- Fluid leaks are present – If your operators do spot a hydraulic fluid leak, follow up with an expert technician, as you may be dealing with contamination, even if it’s not clearly present.
- Foul odors – Your operator will likely see or hear any problems before they smell them, but a foul odor emanating from your hydraulic fluid reservoir may indicate contamination or hydraulic fluid that’s beyond its useful life.
These are signs that your equipment operators can pick up on if they’re vigilant. It’s a good idea to take a few minutes before beginning work to check if any of the above are present, as prompt maintenance is key in heading them off before they cause expensive downtime.
How Can a Hydraulic Equipment Technician Keep Your Construction Equipment Running Smoothly?
Hydraulic equipment is extremely reliable when it’s properly maintained, but it is sensitive to issues if it’s not handled the right way during maintenance and repairs. Poor assembly or disassembly methods can introduce contamination into your hydraulic equipment or cause oversights when identifying component wear.
For this reason, it’s common for construction companies to partner with an experienced hydraulic supplier and technician for their equipment maintenance. And by partnering with an expert technician, your essential hydraulic power units and cylinders will be protected from extended and expensive downtime.