Hydraulic Equipment for Automotive Repair Shops
Hydraulic power is a workhorse for automotive technicians and automotive repair shops, providing essential lifting, positioning, pulling and spreading forces. Hydraulics are essential for maintaining auto shop efficiency and safety, and to ensure quality repair work.
If you’re outfitting an auto repair shop with a new set of hydraulic tools, here’s what to target when reaching out to a reputable hydraulic equipment supplier:
- Vehicle lifting systems
- Hydraulic jack systems
- Hydraulic hoisting and crane systems
- Hydraulic pullers and nut splitters
Together, these hydraulic tools can add to an auto shop’s repair capabilities and work productivity.
What Should a Hydraulic Pump for Auto Repair Shops Feature?
Your hydraulic pump will drive the rest of your hydraulic tools, and it needs to be up to the task in a challenging, dirty work environment. When searching for a hydraulic pump for your auto shop, here are some of the features to target:
- A true relief valve that will prevent over pressurization
- A check valve with load-holding capabilities to ensure safe positioning
- Burst valves to prevent damage or injury due to hose failure
- Dead man controls to stop motion if an operator releases control
- UL/ETL listed components for hydraulic pumps and power units
- A flow/pressure curve that matches your expected output/loading
- A duty-cycling rating matched to your auto shop’s throughput
- A properly sized hydraulic fluid reservoir
There are many more safety and durability features to consider, but these are the primary boxes to check off. If you need assistance determining exactly how to spec a new hydraulic pump, your equipment supplier can help.
Why is a Hydraulic Pump Essential for Automotive Repair Shops?
Your hydraulic pump is responsible for delivering fluid power to a variety of hydraulic tools and equipment, including:
- Vehicle lifting and positioning systems – Vehicle lifting and positioning systems are a must in every auto repair shop, for everything from accessing the engine or transmission to repairing brakes and suspension. Hydraulic positioning systems utilize multiple jacks to share the load and to maximize stability. These are built into a single frame that allows for easy handling. These may include scissor platforms, rolling jacks, wheel dollies or swing/center jacks.
- Hydraulic jack systems – Hydraulic jacks do the literal heavy lifting in every auto repair shop. Hydraulic jacks (also termed hydraulic cylinders) are integrated into positioning systems and are typically utilized in tandem to lift a vehicle.
When searching for hydraulic cylinders, capacity and durability are the most important priorities. In total, your hydraulic jacks should be prepared to lift several tons, but you may require additional capacity if your team works on heavier duty vehicles. Reputable hydraulic equipment manufacturers – like Power Team – produce cylinders that can easily handle these capacity demands.
Hydraulic jacks are exposed to intense loading stresses and therefore should be selected for durability, at least in part. Notable durability features include solid steel construction, aluminum-bronze bearings (for reducing wear due to off-center loads), corrosion-resistant components and oversized springs – which also improve stroke speed.
- Hydraulic hoisting and crane systems – Auto repair shops utilize crane and hoists to lift heavy automotive components (like an engine). They aren’t relied on for precise positioning, but they possess excellent lifting capacities and therefore play an important role. All hydraulic lifting systems, including hoists and cranes, utilize a hydraulic cylinder to provide the lift, so you’ll essentially be selecting one or more hydraulic jacks when integrating a new crane or hoist in your shop.
- Hydraulic pullers and nut splitters – Hydraulic pullers and nut splitters are access-oriented tools designed to help technicians crack through tough fasteners. Hydraulic pullers do this by anchoring onto a fastener and pulling it out with intense linear force. Nut splitters are ideal for corroded fasteners and work by cracking open the nut or bolt with extreme penetrative force. Both are designed for ease of use and mobility, and both can be used in a hand-held capacity.
Every auto repair shop has its own arrangement regarding what jacking systems it relies on and what kind of hydraulic tools it needs to get the job done. A hydraulic equipment supplier can match those needs and preferences to the safest, most efficient tools.
Can Hydraulic Equipment Suppliers Provide Equipment Maintenance as Well?
Consistent maintenance is essential for maximizing hydraulic equipment reliability and efficiency. This is true even for high quality hydraulic pumps, jacks and tools. If your auto shop doesn’t have a hydraulic specialist onsite, you can still access expert-level equipment maintenance through a reputable supplier.
Some hydraulic equipment suppliers are also equipped to perform quality maintenance, and they frequently partner with their clients for maintenance services. This includes:
- Scheduled and preventative maintenance
- Full hydraulic equipment inspections
- Troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Hydraulic fluid analysis
- Prompt equipment repairs and replacement
The key to maximizing your hydraulic equipment assets is investing in on-time, professional maintenance for your hydraulic pumps, jacks and other hydraulic tools.
A Trusted Hydraulic Equipment Supplier Can Target the Right Technologies for Your Auto Repair Shop
Auto repair shops rely on hydraulic tools every day for positioning, lifting and for accessing difficult to reach automotive fasteners or components. Auto repair work is a dirty, difficult job, but reliable hydraulic equipment can make it much more manageable.
By partnering with a trusted hydraulic equipment supplier, it will be easier to manage your maintenance needs as well. In this way, a hydraulic expert can outfit your shop and maximize uptime for your critical hydraulic assets.
Q: What hydraulic tools are necessary for auto repair shops?
A: Auto repair shops require hydraulic power units and hydraulic positioning/jack systems to access vehicle undercarriages. Most shops rely on several positioning/jack systems to service multiple vehicles at once. Hydraulic nut splitters and pullers can provide technicians with needed access when confronting damaged or corroded fasteners.
Q: What durability features should auto shop owners look for in hydraulic tools?
A: Durability is an important consideration for your hydraulic equipment. Look for solid steel body construction, corrosion-resistant components, alloy bearings, high quality seals and a strong manufacturer reputation.
Q: How can a hydraulic equipment supplier help with maintenance?
A: Some hydraulic equipment suppliers are also certified to provide quality maintenance. This includes preventative maintenance at defined service intervals, full equipment inspections, component replacements, prompt repairs and other maintenance services.