what causes hydraulic pump whine manufacturer

Pump cavitation is first and foremost caused by insufficient flow. This happens when the volume of fluid being supplied doesn’t meet the demands of the hydraulic circuit, and the pressure at the suction end of the pump isn’t sufficient. This leads to the absolute pressure falling below the vapor pressure of the liquid, which leads to air bubbles being formed. These tiny bubbles implode as they pass through the system, creating shockwaves and causing pump vibrations.

The process of these bubbles forming and collapsing is done with a great deal of force, and leads to eventual metal erosion inside the pump. The mechanical damage caused by cavitation can have irreversible impacts on system components and may possibly lead to complete failure. Cavitation happens only on the suction side of the pump, and may be caused by a series of different malfunctions, including:

Cavitation is typically characterised as a high-pitched whining or screeching sound, and in some extreme cases, can present itself as a loud rattling sound. Whilst these hydraulic pump whine noises are generally the most obvious telltale signs of cavitation, other symptoms to look out for also include:

By design, hydraulic pumps contain a miniscule amount of air which allows space for the hydraulic fluid to heat up and expand. However, too much air in the pump can cause serious issues – this is known as aeration.

Aeration in a hydraulic pump occurs when there is an air leak in the suction line. When outside air enters the pump through a damaged connector, loose pump seal, pipe fitting, or any other damage, it gets drawn into the pump’s hydraulic fluid supply. This unwanted air quickly gets dissolved into the hydraulic fluid and leads to contamination.

Contaminated hydraulic fluid can have serious implications for the system, as the excess air means that it cannot conduct heat as efficiently and can cause the fluid to foam. This can lead to overheating and in some cases, a substantial decrease in power. Aeration may happen on both sides of the pump, and has several causes including:

Similar to cavitation, aeration is usually indicated by a sudden change in noise, which can sometimes make it difficult to differentiate between the two causes However, aeration tends to produce a more erratic low-pitched ‘rumbling’ or ‘rattling sound, as opposed to the more consistent whining noise of cavitation.

Every hydraulic pump makes some noise. If all is well with a pump, then this noise stays more or less the same. However, if something goes wrong with the pump or its connected system parts, then you may start to hear sounds that you haven"t heard before.

The fluid that flows through your system needs to move at a smooth and even rate. The pump has to deliver the fluid at a specific flow for things to work.

If something prevents the fluid from achieving and maintaining its optimum flow, then your pump may start to make unusual noises. For example, you may hear a high-pitched whine coming from the pump. This can be a constant or intermittent sound.

If your pump whines constantly, then you may have a cavitation problem. Here, the pump can"t deliver its fluid at the right volume or rate. There isn"t enough fluid coming through the pump"s suction line.

In some cases, this is a sign that your pump"s motor is on the wrong setting. So, the pump itself is working at the wrong speed to create the right flow.

A hydraulic pump might get noisy if one of its parts or connections has a problem. A faulty or failing pressure control, bearing, valve, seal, or coupling can make a noise you haven"t heard before.

In some cases, you may hear vibrating clunks as your pump works if you have a problem with a connecting pipe. A loose seal or connector might allow the pipe to move. It then passes vibrations along to the pump itself.

While some noise problems are easy to fix, some are a sign that your pump is close to the end of its working life. Sometimes, this is due to natural wear, usage, and age. However, in some cases, minor problems cause more widespread damage if you don"t fix them quickly.

For example, if you"ve had cavitation problems for a while, then your system may not have been getting the lubrication it needs; it may have overheated regularly. Even if you fix the cavitation issue, you may be left with a damaged pump that needs a more significant repair, rebuild, or replacement.

So, while new sounds or an increase in operating noise don"t necessarily mean that you have a serious pump problem, you should investigate any unusual noise. Typically, this is a sign that something isn"t working right.

A minor problem in your system could go on to cause significant damage. For an expert diagnosis, contact Quad Fluid Dynamics, Inc. Ourhydraulic pump repair and rebuild servicewill get your pump running smoothly and efficiently again.

Excessive or erratic hydraulic pump noise is a symptom of malfunction that could cause damage or accelerated wear if not addressed quickly and correctly. While it’s never nice to hear strange noises emitted from your pump, different forms of noise, which are related to different faults can provide valuable clues that can help you to diagnose your problem and get it fixed before it turns into something major.

So it pays to know what different pump noises mean and with practice you can quickly distinguish between the normal operating sounds and signs that something is wrong. In this article, we’ll talk about what causes some of these sounds, so you can identify them.

A constant hissing sound is indicative of a relief valve that is set too low or is stuck open and is continually releasing pressure. An erratic whistling sound is a symptom that a relief valve is set incorrectly or is damaged. It is common for pump settings to be changed carelessly or inadvertently - sometimes to overcome other issues with the hydraulic system - sometimes due to a lack of understanding of the correct operating conditions, so include this in your regular checks. In addition to noise problems, relief valve damage can be accompanied by slamming of actuators, stalls and excessive heat generation.

Noise issues are just one symptom that gives you a clue when things go wrong with your hydraulic pump. There are several other issues to know and understand, which could help you to identify pump problems quicker. Which means you can sort them out sooner - potentially saving big money down the road. These include heat problems, pressure problems and flow problems.

The second leading cause of hydraulic pump failure, behind contamination, is cavitation. Cavitation is a condition that can also potentially damage or compromise your hydraulic system. For this reason, understanding cavitation, its symptoms, and methods of prevention are critical to the efficiency and overall health of not just your hydraulic pump, but your hydraulic system as a whole.

The product of excessive vacuum conditions created at the hydraulic pump’s inlet (supply side), cavitation is the formation, and collapse of vapors within a hydraulic pump. High vacuum creates vapor bubbles within the oil, which are carried to the discharge (pressure) side. These bubbles then collapse, thus cavitation.

This type of hydraulic pump failure is caused by poor plumbing, flow restrictions, or high oil viscosity; however, the leading cause of cavitation is poor plumbing. Poor plumbing is the result of incorrectly sized hose or fittings and or an indirect (not straight or vertical) path from the pump to the reservoir. Flow restrictions, for example, include buildup in the strainer or the use of an incorrect length of hose or a valve that is not fully open. Lastly, high oil viscosity—or oil that is too viscous—will not flow easily to the pump. Oil viscosity must be appropriate for the climate and application in which the hydraulic pump is being used.

The greatest damage caused by cavitation results from the excessive heat generated as the vapor bubbles collapse under the pressure at the pump outlet or discharge side. On the discharge side, these vapor bubbles collapse as the pressure causes the gases to return to a liquid state. The collapses of these bubbles result in violent implosions, drawing surrounding material, or debris, into the collapse. The temperature at the point of implosion can exceed 5,000° F. Keep in mind that in order for these implosions to happen, there must be high vacuum at the inlet and high pressure at the outlet.

Cavitation is usually recognized by sound. The pump will either produce a “whining” sound (more mild conditions) or a “rattling” sound (from intense implosions) that can sound like marbles in a can. If you’re hearing either of these sounds, you first need to determine the source. Just because you hear one of these two sounds doesn’t guarantee that your hydraulic pump is the culprit.

To isolate the pump from the power take-off (PTO) to confirm the source, remove the bolts that connect the two components and detach the pump from the PTO. Next, run the PTO with no pump and see if the sound is still present. If not, it is safe to assume your hydraulic pump is the problem.

Another sign you may be experiencing cavitation is physical evidence. As part of your general maintenance, you should be inspecting and replacing the hydraulic oil filter"s elements at regular intervals based on the duty cycle of the application and how often it is used. If at any time during the inspection and replacement of these elements you find metallic debris, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing cavitation in the pump.

The easiest way to determine the health of your complete hydraulic circuit is to check the filter. Every system should have a hydraulic oil filter somewhere in-line. Return line filters should be plumbed in the, you guessed it, return line from the actuator back to tank—as close to the tank as possible. As mentioned earlier, this filter will have elements that should be replaced at regular intervals. If you find metallic debris, your pump could be experiencing cavitation. You’ll then need to flush the entire system and remove the pump for inspection.

Conversely, if you’ve already determined the pump to be damaged, you should remove the filter element, cut it open, and inspect it. If you find a lot of metal, you’ll need to flush the entire system and keep an eye on the other components that may be compromised as a result.

Once cavitation has been detected within the hydraulic pump, you’ll need to determine the exact cause of cavitation. If you don’t, cavitation can result in pump failure and compromise additional components—potentially costing you your system.

Since the pump is fed via gravity and atmospheric pressure, the path between the reservoir and the pump should be as vertical and straight as possible. This means that the pump should be located as close to the reservoir as is practical with no 90-degree fittings or unnecessary bends in the supply hose. Whenever possible, be sure to locate the reservoir above the pump and have the largest supply ports in the reservoir as well. And don"t forget, ensure the reservoir has a proper breather cap or is pressurized (3–5 PSI), either with an air system or pressure breather cap.

Be sure the supply line shut-off valve (if equipped) is fully open with no restrictions. This should be a “full-flow” ball valve with the same inside diameter (i.d.) as the supply hose. If feasible, locate a vacuum gauge that can be T’d into the supply line and plumb it at the pump inlet port. Activate the PTO and operate a hydraulic function while monitoring the gauge. If it reads >5 in. Hg, shut it off, and resume your inspection.

A hose with an inner bladder vulcanized to a heavy spiral is designed to withstand vacuum conditions as opposed to outward pressure. The layline will also denote the size of the hose (i.d.). You can use Muncie Power’s PPC-1 hydraulic hose calculator to determine the optimal diameter for your particular application based on operating flows.

Another consideration, in regards to the inlet plumbing, is laminar flow. To reduce noise and turbulence at the pump inlet, the length of the supply hose should be at least 10 times its diameter. This means that any type of shut-off valve or strainer at the reservoir should be at least 10 diameters from the pump inlet. A flared, flange-style fitting at the pump inlet can also reduce pump noise by at least 50 percent compared to a SAE, JIC, or NPT fitting.

Selecting the proper viscosity of hydraulic fluid for your climate and application is also critical. Oil that is too viscous will not flow as easily to the pump. Consult your local hydraulic oil supplier for help selecting the optimal fluid viscosity.

By maintaining a regular maintenance schedule, remaining vigilant for any signs or symptoms, and taking preventative measures, the good news is that you should be able to prevent cavitation and experience efficient operation for the duration of your pump’s lifespan.

Poor plumbing is the leading cause of cavitation and can be prevented by selecting a properly sized hose, choosing the appropriate fittings, ensuring the most direct, straight routing from the pump to the reservoir, etc.

Hey everyone. We"ve recently started hearing a noise that sounds like it"s coming from our hydraulic pump. It usually only makes this sound at certain rpms and when the volume control is adjusted higher it seems to increase the noise. We have a 2014 Concord 40meter with less than 600 hrs

what kind of noise do you hear? when it appears, is it a constant noise, and when you adjust the volume, does it go away? i suspect, that there is a bearing inside the pump, that is not 100% anymore, possibly unbalanced, and at certain rpms/settings the noise intensifies, to the point that you can hear it.

Thank you for your reply. The noise is basically a higher pitched whining noise. It only makes the sound when rpms are turned up. If we are pumping at lower rpms and we turn volume up, it will also make the noise. You are actually the second person to suggest a bearing going out.

Try engaging the PTO in a gear Lower than normal. If it pumps in 7th gear, put the PTO in 6th gear. If the noise is the same, Exactly the same, it"s likely not a bearing issue. If the noise is still present but at a noticeably Lower pitch, then it"s possibly a bearing.

There’snothing quite like the high-pitched racket emitting from a hydraulic power unit. The combination of noises originates primarily at the hydraulic pump, but secondary harmonics and reverberations contribute to a cacophony, unlike any other machine noise. The telltale hydraulic whine is the bane of machine operators forced to mentally block the press/shear/extruder noise, raising their neck hair.

The hydraulic power unit noise problem isn’t lost on engineers and designers. As a result, manufacturers have designed components to be inherently smoother and quieter. Hydraulic designers may also select components less likely to contribute to the raucous sound. At the same time, technicians have options to ensure that as little of the vibrations as possible translate into annoying and potentially hazardous noise.

Pressure from the pump means turbulenceMuch of the attention applied to noise and vibration reduction is rightfully aimed squarely at the hydraulic pump. Most hydraulic pumps transform incoming mechanical energy into hydraulic energy discretely. Rather than feed a continuous stream of hydraulic fluid into the circuit, a pump sends individual packets of pressurized fluid to the outlet. Each discrete bundle of compressed hydraulic fluid blasts forth into the pressure line with a tiny wave of pressure.

No pump perfectly transmits pressure without bumps, corners, or turbulence, and each impedance encourages vibration and noise. More often than not, lens plates, gears, vanes, ports, and pistons all contain sharp edges, abrupt turns, or choked flow paths. The movement of fluid through a pump is far from laminar. Even if every metal pump component were chamfered, bevelled and honed, the resulting reduction in noise generation would likely be offset by the same reduction in efficiency.

From a design and installation perspective, the manufacturer holds responsibility for effort and ingenuity that must result in quieting solutions. In addition, a manufacturer must balance the varied demand asked of their pumps, which requires efficient operation across various pressure and flow outputs. A pump may be designed to limit pressure pulsations at 1,800 rpm and 3,000 psi but could do so poorly when run at 3,450 rpm and 1,000 psi, for example.

The pump pulsation is the primary NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) driver. Each of those hydraulic energy bundles discharged from a pumping element (like a piston) or chamber (like vanes and gears) emits a pulse, and the frequency of those pulses dictates the timbre of the hydraulic noise. The frequency is a product of the prime mover rpm and the number of elements or chambers. A 9-piston pump running at 1,750 rpm results in 1,5750 pressure signals per minute. In acoustic terms, the pump’s fundamental frequency is 262.5 Hz (15,750 divided by 60 seconds in a minute) while also emitting high amplitude harmonics at 525 and 787.5 Hz.

By the same token, a pump may produce harmonics anywhere within the audible spectrum between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (or 11,500 Hz as tested for this author’s “old man ears” *see sidebar). Of course, we all know these harmonics combine to make annoying sounds, especially the harmonics falling between 1,000 & 5,000 Hz, where people’s hearing is most sensitive.

Looking at other sources of noise and vibrationMoreover, it’s essential to understand the rest of the hydraulic power unit’s contribution to amplifying noise. The prime mover and pump contribute most of the fundamental frequencies, but anything and everything attached to the power unit transmits and emits vibration and sound. An acoustic engineer could spend many times the cost of the power unit calculating and estimating how loud the power unit might be and at what frequencies. But sometimes, the particular sound and harmonics are unpredictable.

Let’s take the reservoir, for example. Its combination of welded plates, cut-outs, holes, and accessories sometimes augment the fundamental and harmonic frequencies emitted by the pump. Every physical body has a natural harmonic frequency, and sometimes those harmonics can overlap. When sound frequencies overlap with peaks atop peaks (Figure 1), the sound pressure level increases. Depending on the mass, size, shape, and elasticity of the object adding the resonance, the increase could range from barely audible to ear-splitting. When the dice fall against your favor, the reservoir may literally ring with resonance.

As much as possible should be done to isolate the pump from any possible harmonic contributor. The most obvious point of shared vibration is where the pump/motor attaches to the reservoir. Two traditional methods are common — vertical (in-tank) and horizontal (tank top). The L-Shape and elevated tank make great choices, but the prior two choices far outnumber the latter.

With vertical motor power units, the pump resides below the oil level through a large hole in the top surface where the bell housing attaches using (typically) four bolts in its flange. Any vibration in the pump or motor transmits directly to that top plate and any other metal welded, clamped, or bolted to the tank. The horizontally mounted pump uses a C-Face motor that directly couples the pump using a similar bell housing. However, these units employ foot mounting via the motor, but the opportunity still exists for the pump’s vibrations to transmit through the bell housing and motor to the tank top surface as well.

If you’ve designed or fabricated a hydraulic power unit, you know we don’t just weld or bolt the pump/motor group together and hope for the best. The damping of sound and vibration starts at the connection between the pump and motor. The drive couplers transfer the power from the motor to the pump and use a rubber insert tightly sandwiched between the couplers to reduce the vibration transfer from one to the other. The couplers and insert also help with shaft misalignment.

Any time you introduce elasticity to an interface, you reduce the natural frequency of the assembly. Elastomers (or actual springs) should be chosen with a natural frequency at least half that of the pump’s rotational frequency. For example, your 1,800 rpm motor’s 30 Hz frequency would best due with isolators offering 10 Hz or less. This theory applies not only to the coupler insert but the anti-vibration mounting feet (Figure 2) used to attach a horizontal pump/motor to the reservoir.

The individual mounting feet seen in Figure 2 are less prevalent in applications where the motor fully supports the pump via the bell housing. However, when foot-mounted pumps sit directly on the reservoir top and the motor is asked only to support its own weight, these act as a vibration buffer. For bell housing-mounted pumps, the solution is two-fold. First, rubber gaskets mounted between the motor C-Face and the bell housing provide a barrier for vibration and sound (and also work well in vertical pump power units). The motor is best mounted using vibration-damping bars as an additional isolation layer. Consisting of a thick rubber pad sandwiched between two steel bars, the damping bars allow the technician to bolt the pump to the top bar while welding the bottom directly to the tank.

Taking plumbing into considerationOf course, other components transmit sound and vibration besides the pump/motor group. You’d be surprised at how much sound energy transmits through plumbing, such as tubes and hoses. The steel of the tube or hose reinforcement vibrates readily in tune with specific harmonics, although the effect is mitigated by long lengths of plumbing, which have a lower natural frequency.

Figure 3. Having all hydraulic hose or steel tube in a high-pressure hydraulic system is a recipe for noise. Using a combination of steel tube with hose reduces cyclical radial expansion over a long hose but also isolates the tube from direct machine vibrations.

Sound emits not only from vibrating components but also through the hydraulic fluid itself. In fact, liquids transmit sound energy more efficiently than does air, so anywhere a conduit filled with oil goes, so too does pump noise. The creative use of pressure line accessories helps to dampen and absorb noise as it leaves the pump. Hydropneumatic accumulators charged to around 1/3 operating pressure and teed into the pressure line provide a damper to absorb pressure waves, thereby reducing noise energy.

Noise may come from unexpected sources, as well. One application took our team days to discover and remedy the solution. It was a standard hydraulic power unit with a vertical pump motor mount attached to an 80-gal reservoir. Mounted atop was a kidney loop circuit for filtration and cooling, which included a liquid-to-air cooler. We narrowed the noise down to the cooler, which was constructed using bent sheet metal to shroud the heat exchanger. Our choice of pump, along with steel tubing, created a harmonic resonance of the sheet metal.

Our fix was ad hoc, and through elimination, we changed to a different pump displacement, replaced the tube with hose, and then added two 90° elbows in series at the cooler inlet port. What previously gave the office workers headaches from the piercing noise morphed into your standard hydraulic whine. Even when all noise-reduction measures are heeded, sometimes the stars align to make a cacophony unintentionally with no way to predict the result.

Well how about the oil you used? Cold weather spells viscosity change and if the new oil has a higher viscosity at the colder temperatures, the pump could be sucking on it but it"s not moving as fast as the pump would like so it creates a minute vacuum on the suction side which causes bubbles and the bubbles are what"s making the noise.

Once the fluid warms viscosity drops, flow increases and the bubbles disappear. Or, as stated, it"s a pressure relief valve jabbering at you and the thicker fluid causes it to over/under compensate, the lag causing the pressure differential and the noise. I"ll bet on it being the pump especially since you heard it making the racket.

Tractor mfgrs make tractors, not fluids, tires, gens, fan belts, batteries, on and on. They either generate a spec and find someone to build what they want under their badge, or shop the market for something available that suits their design requirements and may go to them for a paint/badge modification.

Once a pump is properly selected and installed in a sanitary system, function would ideally be trouble-free. However, problems can develop in existing systems, or as pump and process system is modified. Due to this, we have gathered up some troubleshooting tips to help identify and solve the problem of noisy pump operation.

For all pump application problems, cavitation is the most common and it happens with all types of pumps. When discovered, excessive pump speed or adverse suction conditions will likely be the cause. Generally reducing pump speed and/or remedying the suction condition will get rid of this problem. Cavitation is especially true if the discharge pressure is fluctuating or pulsating.

Particularly on the discharge side of the pump, valves can sometimes go into a hydraulic vibration mode caused by operating pressure, flow rate and the valve design. Resetting or a change in an internal valve component is often sufficient to solve the problem.

If you are stumped by excessive pump noise, review our tips below for troubleshooting a noisy pump or consult an industry expert to help diagnose and remedy your issue.

When a hydraulic system fails, finding the source of the problem can be a challenge. Though hydraulic systems primarily consist of a sump, motor, pump, valves, actuators and hydraulic fluid, any of these parts could be the source of failure. That"s not to mention the additional potential for failure through human error and faulty maintenance practices. If your system fails, you need to know why it fails, how to find the failure and how to keep it running smoothly in the future, all while keeping personnel safe.

It"s often easy to tell when a hydraulic system fails — symptoms can include high temperatures, low pressure readings and slow or erratic operation are glaring problems. But what are the most common causes of hydraulic systems failures? We can trace most hydraulic issues back to a few common causes, listed below.

Air and water contamination are the leading causes of hydraulic failure, accounting for 80 to 90% of hydraulic failures. Faulty pumps, system breaches or temperature issues often cause both types of contamination.

Air contamination is the entrance of air into a hydraulic system and consists of two types — aeration and cavitation. Both can cause severe damage to the hydraulic system over time by wearing down the pump and surrounding components, contaminating hydraulic fluids and even overheating the system. Although we are not pump manufacturers, we know it is essential to be aware of these types of contamination and how to identify their symptoms.

Cavitation:Hydraulic oil consists of about 9% dissolved air, which the pump can pull out and implode, causing pump problems and damage to the pump and to other components in a hydraulic system over time. You can identify this problem if your hydraulic pump is making a whining noise.

Aeration:Aeration occurs when air enters the pump cavity from an outside source. Usually, loose connections or leaks in the system cause this issue. Aeration also creates a sound when the pump is running, which sounds like knocking.

Water contamination is also a common problem in hydraulic systems, often caused by system leaks or condensation due to temperature changes. Water can degrade hydraulic components over time through oxidation and freeze damage. A milky appearance in hydraulic fluid can help you identify water contamination.

Fluid oxidization: Extreme heat can cause hydraulic fluid to oxidize and thicken. This fluid thickening can cause buildups in the system that restrict flow, but can also further reduce the ability of the system to dissipate heat.

Fluid thickening:Low temperatures increase the viscosity of hydraulic oil, making it harder for the oil to reach the pump. Putting systems under load before the oil reaches 70 degrees or more can damage the system through cavitation.

Fluid levels and quality can affect hydraulic system performance. Low fluid levels and inappropriate filtration can result in air contamination, while fluid contamination can cause temperature problems. Leaks can further exacerbate both issues.

Using the correct type of fluid is also essential, as certain hydraulic oils are compatible with specific applications. There are even oil options that offer higher resistance to temperature-related problems. Some oils even offer anti-wear and anti-foam additives to help prevent against wear and air contamination, respectively.

Human error is the base cause of many hydraulic system problems. Some of the most common errors that may result in your hydraulic pump not building pressure include the following.

Faulty installations: Improper installation of any component in a hydraulic system can result in severe errors. For example, the pump shaft may be rotating in the wrong direction, negatively affecting pressure buildup, or pipes may be incorrectly fitted, resulting in leaks.

Incompatible parts: An inexperienced installer may put mismatched components together, resulting in functional failures. For example, a pump may have a motor that runs beyond its maximum drive speed.

Improper maintenance or usage:Using systems outside their operational capabilities or failing to perform regular maintenance are some of the most common causes of hydraulic system damage, but are easy to rectify through updated maintenance policies and training.

The sources of system failures can be tricky to identify, but some hydraulic troubleshooting steps can help narrow down the options. So how do you troubleshoot a hydraulic system? Here are some of the fundamentals.

Check the pump: Take the pump assembly apart and assess all parts to ensure that they are functional and installed correctly. The most common problem areas include the pump shaft, coupling and filter.

Check the fluids:Check the level, color and viscosity of the hydraulic oil to ensure it meets specifications and has not become contaminated. Low hydraulic fluid symptoms include pressure or power loss. When in doubt, drain and replace the fluids.

Check the seals: Look for evidence of any fluid leakage around your hydraulic system"s seals, especially the shaft seal. Leakage can indicate worn-out or blown seals that can cause malfunctions with pumps, motors and control valves.

Check the filters: Ensure filters are clear of plugs and blockages. Common clogged hydraulic filter symptoms include sluggish operation and noisy operation.

Hydraulic system issues are inevitable at some point. However, simple steps can help you avoid these issues and increase the longevity of your hydraulic system. On top of effective troubleshooting, you can prevent hydraulic system failure by taking the following steps.

Follow specifications: We can trace the most common hydraulic system issues back to fundamental system problems like incompatible or improperly installed parts. For this reason, it"s essential to always double-check specifications to ensure your purchased parts can work together seamlessly.

Consult with professionals: When purchasing new equipment, consult with industry peers and professionals to discover what they recommend. While manufacturers can tell you how a product should work, industry professionals can provide concrete examples of how well the equipment works for their industry.

On top of these steps, look into hydraulic system products that are specifically designed to help prevent failures. One such product is Bear-Loc® by York Precision. This innovative locking actuator is a safe, reliable feature for hydraulic components, automatically locking when sleeve pressure is relieved, preventing movement if a hydraulic system fails. This way, your can protect your personnel from injuries related to hydraulic failures. Even better, York Precision offers in-house design, engineering expertise and machining and manufacturing capabilities to produce a hydraulic locking device that meets your exact specifications.

Regularly review hydraulic system maintenance, always following manufacturer recommendations and industry best practices. Also, consider the storage condition, external influences, working pressure and usage frequency of your system to tailor your maintenance schedule and procedures.

Daily tasks:Take care of a few simple daily checks to avoid issues. For example, personnel should check the oil levels, hoses and connections and listen to the pump for abnormal sounds.

Be mindful of location:Do not stand at endpoints while working on hydraulic systems. This safety measure can help prevent loss of limb and life, as there is a lot of pressure built up in these areas that can release and result in life-threatening situations.

The best safety measures, however, are to perform excellent maintenance and use high-quality parts. If you"re looking for a quality hydraulic component manufacturer, York Precision Machining & Hydraulics can help.

The high-pitched mechanical tones of a tortured hydraulic system are often traced back to squealing hydraulic cylinders. A regimented troubleshooting procedure then makes haste to eliminate the noisome wail and determine whether more is going on here. Ask the right questions before jumping in, though, and avoid an unproductive repair experience. Does the squealing happen at all flow rates? Is stroke speed contributing to the problem? It’s this process of elimination that will get the gear mobile again, so let’s get our own system-diagnosing brains moving.

Aeration is a common factor in this situation. Aeration is simply a leak, one that usually occurs on the suction side of the mechanism. The resulting leak causes an erratic whine or squealing noise to propagate along the frame of the mobile gear, but it usually tracks back to the cylinder. Of course, as with any diligent system analysis process, the initial cause doesn’t always bring the story to a fast end. There’s the cause of the aeration to discover. Again, it’s a Sherlockian process of elimination that works best. Replace parts if necessary, but begin with cheaper replacements. The rod and piston seals make a fine start point, but this issue may not even be a mechanical problem, so what ails the cylinder?

If the cylinder is tested and found to be in optimal working condition, then what about checking the oil? Hydraulic fluid is vulnerable to atmospheric contamination, so a potential leak may originate at another point on the system but be carried into the cylinder. The oil foams or takes on the consistency of a soapy scum. The cylinder compresses, as it should, but the typically non-compressible oil squeezes the tiny air bubbles until they heat and release energy as that alarming shriek. Corrective actions at this point suggest an initial look at the oil, followed by an inspection of the couplings that hook the cylinder to the mobile vehicle. Now, if these tests don’t yield fruit, then and only then is it time to cause a stoppage by taking the cylinder back to the bench for further testing.

There’s a law that engineers find very useful when a troubleshooting protocol is active. It’s called Occam’s Razor. Basically, it states that the simplest answer is usually the correct one, so begin with obvious problems before making an impulsive decision to disassemble a squealing hydraulic cylinder. Look for aeration in the oil before replacing seals or the entire unit.

Whether it"s your construction vehicle or another piece of heavy machinery, the failure of a hydraulic pump can mean the failure of a project. However, before a hydraulic pump fails, it will often give a lot of warning signs first. Don"t ignore these signs of a failing hydraulic pump.

Hydraulic pumps make noise as they operate. You will grow accustomed to whatever noise you hear, which can help when the noises start to change. If you hear unusual noises, you may have a problem. At no time should your hydraulic system create banging or rattling noises.

A major cause of noise is aeration, which is what happens air becomes trapped within the system. Noises can also occur because the pump isn"t getting enough fluid. When there"s a lack of fluid, corrosion can take place which will contaminate the little fluid still in the system.

As that fluid circulates it can cause damage to every part of a hydraulic system. If you"re hearing odd noises from your hydraulic pump, then cease operating your heavy equipment or vehicle. You need to have the pump looked at to determine if you should repair or replace it.

Any leaking of hydraulic fluids should give you some concern. In larger hydraulic equipment, leaking is sometimes considered inevitable. However, when heavy equipment and vehicles show signs of leaking, you should immediately do what you can to mitigate the issue.

A leak that occurs inside or around the pump should prompt you to seek a repair. Equally, if you see signs of leaking outside the vehicle, then you can assume an interior leak has taken a turn for the worse. With a leak, the hydraulic system cannot maintain pressure, which can lead to issues with performance or outright system failure.

Sometimes, the leak doesn"t begin with the pump itself, but rather with a loose seal or a break in a line. Even when this is the case, the leak can lead to poor pump performance. Starting the investigation from the pump can often help to spot an issue with some other hydraulic component.

If your hydraulic system overheats, there"s a good chance a buildup of dirt and debris is causing the issue. Your hydraulic pump will have a hard time dissipating heat if the filters become clogged. The inability to release heat will cause temperatures to rise even higher.

As the heat increases, so does the temperature of the fluid. Hot fluid can weaken seals and degrade a lot faster than it should. Both those outcomes can mean further trouble for your hydraulic pump.

A bad hydraulic pump will lead to poor or sluggish performance. All the aforementioned issues can lead to a hydraulic pump that isn"t performing as it should. Nevertheless, even if you don"t experience any other issues, the drop in performance is a key sign you need to have your hydraulic pump repaired or replaced.

If your equipment depends on a functioning hydraulic system, you must stay diligent about keeping that system healthy. Monitor your hydraulic system and pay attention to any signs that something isn"t working as it should. Routine maintenance of your hydraulic system will help to keep its performance intact while also helping you find potential issues before they become problems.

Often, protecting the viability of your hydraulic pump only requires that you keep up with changing the fluid and replacing smaller components when necessary. You can often save a hydraulic pump with an issue by having it repaired or rebuilt by a professional service.

AtCarolina Hose & Hydraulics, we specialize in high-quality hydraulic components for heavy equipment and vehicles. Contact us for any of your hydraulic pump concerns immediately.

Hydraulic systems can be extremely useful in a lot of machine solutions, but they can also be extremely loud. Any industrial location with active machines will make some noise, but when the noise rises to a certain level, it can be a problem. Systems that are too loud can cause headaches, hearing loss and elevated stress — and the noise may make it difficult for your workers to focus on what they are doing.

For this reason and others, it can be very useful to your operation for you to know how to reduce hydraulic system noise. While each situation is a little bit different, here are some tips and guidelines for noise control in hydraulic systems.

While it is impossible to completely eliminate hydraulic system noise, quality noise control in hydraulic systems is definitely possible. It starts with understanding the source of hydraulic system noise. Once you know where the noise is coming from, you are in a much better position to control it. While hydraulic noise originates from the pump, the power unit is the greatest contributor to hydraulic system noise.

Pressure fluctuations and vibrations of the various components of the system can amplify hydraulic noise as well. Each part of the hydraulic system has a potential noise control solution.

You’ve probably noticed that everything with an electric motor makes some noise. In many cases, very loud noise. A hydraulic system is no different. The movement of the fan, the vibrating of the bearings and the rotor and stator assembly all translate into what can be some very grating noise.

Hydraulic motors and other actuators can be some of the noisiest components of the system. A few tricks for keeping the hydraulic motor quiet include using very long tubing with a hose assembly at both ends and using a mesh screen set 30 degrees form horizontal.

Bearings, pistons, gears and the many other components of the pump can all combine to make a lot of noise, especially when you join the pump to the loud electric motor. Submerging the entire motor-pump assembly in oil or some other liquid can create a barrier that significantly dampens the sound of the system. You can also make the pump quieter by running it at a lower speed or using multiple small pumps instead of one or two large pumps.

One of the most important tools for reducing hydraulic system noise is the use of vibration-dampening mounts. You can mount the motor-pump assembly to a subframe with vibration-dampening mounts and you can mount the subframe to the power unit with vibration dampening mounts. Other industrial soundproofing materials wrapped around your hydraulic system can also be useful in reducing unwanted noise.

If the manufacturer is of no help, you can always contact a local engineering lab. These labs often have hydraulic experts that are highly knowledgeable and may relish the chance to take a look at your system and come up with ways to make it quieter and more efficient.

It’s also possible that your hydraulic system is making so much noise because it is in need of repair. If you suspect this is the case, either because you are having other problems with the system or you are seeing other possible symptoms of a problem like heavy shaking or sounds that you have not heard before, it can pay to have a professional take a look.

You can call Global Electronic Services anytime to have a certified professional inspect your system and perform a fast, efficient repair if necessary. For an estimate on hydraulics repair, call 877-249-1701 or contact Global Electronic Services online today.