What Hydraulic Equipment is Essential for the Construction Industry?
Hydraulic technology is heavily used in the construction industry, as it offers unmatched power density and reliability for site managers. If you need to push, pull, lift or haul material, hydraulic power is what you’ll need.
Construction crews need the right hydraulic equipment for the job, and that includes heavy-duty, construction grade hydraulic pumps and cylinders along with quality hydraulic accessories.
Why are Hydraulic Pumps, Cylinders and Hydraulic Accessories Essential for Construction Crews?
Hydraulic equipment is built into various pieces of construction machinery, and it includes critical technologies like:
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- Hydraulic pumps and power units – Hydraulic pumps and power units are the core of every piece of hydraulic machinery. Both are responsible for circulating hydraulic fluid through the system and to every piece of hydraulic equipment.
Hydraulic pumps designed for construction are hardened against environmental contaminants, such as dust. They also rely on advanced load-sensing valves calibrated to the application, including directional control and relief valves.
When selecting a hydraulic pump or power unit for your construction machinery, you’ll need to consider flow requirements, valve sets, reservoir size, duty cycling requirements and durability features. Your hydraulic equipment supplier can help size these specifications for your needs.
- Hydraulic cylinders – Hydraulic cylinders receive fluid power from the power unit or pump and leverage it into linear force – ideal for lifting, pushing or pulling. Hydraulic cylinders are chosen for their capacity (in tonnage) and their durability features, which should include quality seals, corrosion-resistant rod components, steel body construction, alloy bearings and expanded sized springs.
- Hydraulic accessories and replacement parts – You may need additional hydraulic technologies to protect your hydraulic fluid or augment your equipment performance. Filtering systems are one example, as are alternate valve sets. In addition, it’s a good idea for construction crews to keep replacement hydraulic components on hand in order to avoid significant downtime should a piece of equipment experience a failure.
In addition to replacement hydraulic components, construction companies often keep hydraulic nut splitters and hydraulic pullers on hand as well. Both give work crews additional access during maintenance, as they can remove damaged or corroded fasteners.
- Hydraulic pumps and power units – Hydraulic pumps and power units are the core of every piece of hydraulic machinery. Both are responsible for circulating hydraulic fluid through the system and to every piece of hydraulic equipment.
Hydraulic pumps and cylinders are available in a large variety of capacities, valve designs, reservoir sizes and other important specifications. With this in mind, the right hydraulic equipment for your application may not be clear, and that’s where a hydraulic technician supplier can step in to help match your application specifics (duty cycling, loading, environmental conditions, etc.) to the right pumps and jack systems.
What Construction Equipment Relies on Hydraulic Technology?
Hydraulic pumps and cylinders are the working part of every piece of construction machinery. It’s the onboard hydraulics that do the moving, hauling, shaping and other important jobs at every site. For this reason, you’ll see the technology built into the following:
- Excavators
- Bulldozers
- Trenchers
- Cranes
- Compactors
- Pulverizers
- Haulers
In short, anything that lifts, hauls or pushes relies on hydraulic technology to get the job done.
Why is Hydraulic Equipment Maintenance Essential for Keeping Your Equipment in the Field
Hydraulic pumps and cylinders offer reliability as long as they are maintained on schedule. Hydraulic equipment manufacturers recommend maintenance based on service intervals. For hydraulic pumps, this is usually around 10,000 service hours.
Some hydraulic equipment suppliers can also provide maintenance for construction equipment, and this can be a major value add for your company. That’s because expert hydraulic technicians can do the following during a round of maintenance:
- Basic preventative maintenance – This includes checking hydraulic fluid levels and quality, checking components for wear (and replacing worn components), checking for any leaks or any other signs of damage.
- A full disassembly and inspection – Occasionally, it may be necessary to open up your hydraulic pumps or cylinders to check their condition. Expert hydraulic technicians observe proper disassembly and reassembly practices to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Component replacement – During inspection, if your hydraulic technician notices that your seals, bearings, gears or other internal components are significantly worn, your technician can switch them out with new parts.
- Troubleshooting – If your hydraulic equipment is showing signs of distress or damage, a hydraulic technician can identify the source of the issue. Once diagnosed, they can recommend an effective fix.
- Basic preventative maintenance – This includes checking hydraulic fluid levels and quality, checking components for wear (and replacing worn components), checking for any leaks or any other signs of damage.
Outfitting your Construction Equipment with Hydraulics? Work with the Hydraulic Experts
Hydraulic equipment makes major development and construction projects possible, from the dirt work to the foundation work. On your site, hydraulic power units and cylinders are the workhorses, so they must be sized and configured properly for your application. This includes sizing the hydraulic pump and cylinder, ensuring they meet flow and capacity requirements, and pairing them with the optimal valve set for their operation.
That’s a complex job with little room for error, which is why many construction companies partner with an expert hydraulic equipment technician. Further, a hydraulic technician can improve your machinery’s uptime and reliability with periodic hydraulic maintenance. In this way, your hydraulic technician can serve as a single supplier and maintenance partner – providing excellent ongoing value for your organization.
Q: What should construction companies look for in a hydraulic pump?
A: Construction companies must prioritize durability, flow specifications and valve design. These are the pump’s critical performance-related characteristics and should be considered by a hydraulic expert before selecting a pump or cylinder.
Q: What hydraulic components and accessories should construction companies keep available?
A: Every construction company should have an inventory of replacement parts. Examples include seals, bearings, gears, connectors and any other high-wear components. Hydraulic nut splitters and spreaders are also recommended for better access.
Q: Why is hydraulic equipment maintenance important for construction companies?
Hydraulic equipment maintenance is essential for optimizing pump and cylinder reliability and performance efficiency. If your hydraulic pumps or cylinders are showing signs of distress, schedule a round of preventative maintenance with your equipment technician.