Hydraulic equipment performs more efficiently and more reliably when it’s given consistent maintenance. Much of this maintenance can be performed in-house and includes:
- Tracking the equipment’s service history and monitoring for any issues
- Cleaning the hydraulic equipment regularly and thoroughly
- Performing a full hydraulic system inspection after heavy operation
- Partnering with an experienced hydraulic equipment technician for maintenance
These steps will keep your hydraulic pumps, hydraulic cylinders, and hydraulic accessories in excellent operating shape, which will minimize the risk of downtime and extend your hydraulic equipment’s useful life.
Maintaining Hydraulic Equipment: A Checklist for Basic Maintenance
To optimize your hydraulic system’s efficiency and reliability, the following maintenance tips are recommended:
- Track hydraulic equipment usage and performance – The first step in any hydraulic equipment maintenance plan is keeping a close eye on the equipment’s performance during operation. Before long, your hydraulic pump and cylinder operators will become familiar with the equipment’s operation and the sounds it produces while functioning. If your operator teams notice any unusual noises, like whining, banging or a “sizzling” sound emanating from the hydraulic equipment, it’s time to schedule a full inspection.
Other concerning signs of impending failure include loss of power or inconsistent power delivery, the presence of hydraulic fluid residues, rough handling and the presence of contaminants in the hydraulic fluid. In some cases, contaminants can be detected in the hydraulic fluid visually, but not always. To identify invisible, but significant levels of contamination, it’s recommended that your operators take a sample of hydraulic fluid for a test point in the system. The sample should be sent to a lab for analysis, as this will confirm whether contamination is present.
Preventative hydraulic equipment maintenance is also essential for avoiding downtime, so sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals is critical. For hydraulic pumps and hydraulic cylinders, the typical service interval is about 10,000 hours of operation. Track the equipment’s usage to ensure preventative maintenance is scheduled on time. - Cleaning the hydraulic equipment regularly and thoroughly – The most effective way to prevent hydraulic fluid contamination – the leading cause of hydraulic system failures – is to prioritize cleanliness. In particular, the hydraulic pump and hydraulic cylinder should be wiped down following operation, especially if they were used outside or in a particularly dusty environment.
The hydraulic pump’s reservoir should also be cleaned out periodically to prevent contamination from emerging inside of the system. When cleaning the hydraulic pump’s reservoir, stick to a mild solvent intended for hydraulic pumps. Assuming that the solvent can be used in the pump reservoir, it should be applied using a lint-free cloth to all interior pump reservoir surfaces.
When cleaning the hydraulic cylinder, the cylinder body will need to be cracked open to access the cylinder rod and barrel. If needed, a hydraulic equipment expert can manage this part of the process, as it’s technically advanced for many operators. - Performing a full hydraulic system inspection – Following operation, and before storing any hydraulic equipment, it’s a good idea to visually inspect the hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic hoses and other hydraulic components for any signs of wear, damage or hydraulic fluid leaks. Verify that the hydraulic equipment and the area around it isn’t slick with hydraulic fluid residue. Verify the condition of all the hydraulic hoses as fraying is a common cause of contamination. And, in general, look for any signs of new damage or wear to the system. If your hydraulic equipment has picked up a new ding or dent since the last time it was checked, consider testing the hydraulic equipment to verify that it is functioning properly.
- Partnering with an experienced hydraulic equipment technician – Hydraulic equipment maintenance can be extremely complex for your typical operator to manage, as it involves opening up the equipment to perform a deeper inspection and maintenance.
Detailed hydraulic equipment maintenance requires precision disassembly and reassembly procedures to prevent contamination from entering the system. Any mistake during this process may cause more damage than it prevents in the long run.
To ensure your detailed maintenance is effective, consider partnering with an expert hydraulic equipment technician.
These Hydraulic Maintenance Steps Will Boost Your Equipment’s Reliability, and an Expert Will Boost it Even Further
Hydraulic equipment is relied on for consistent operation and consistent force application. Any downtime can be paralyzing in terms of cost and reputation, so the goal is to avoid it at all costs.
The above basic maintenance steps will improve your hydraulic system’s reliability and head off most major failures before they become expensive disasters. But organizations can support their hydraulic assets further with expert hydraulic maintenance from an experienced technician.
Hydraulic equipment technicians are knowledgeable in a large variety of hydraulic pump and cylinder models, and therefore are masters at carefully disassembling, inspecting and reassembling equipment to minimize the risk of contamination, which is a major concern during maintenance.
By partnering with an expert hydraulic technician, your organization will also have access to on-time and on-point preventative maintenance, along with a deep inventory of hydraulic components, ensuring rapid repairs when they are needed.