what causes a hydraulic pump to get hot made in china
Is your hydraulic pump getting excessively hot during normal operation? Pumps do generate heat when running, however they are designed with specific heat parameters in mind. Overheating is an abnormal condition that leads to destructive issues such as thinning of hydraulic fluid, which leads to reduced lubrication, metal-on-metal contact of moving parts. And accelerated pump wear and failure.
Therefore it is never a good idea to ignore a pump that is exceeding its heat parameters under normal load. There are a number of factors that contribute to an excess buildup of heat and in this article, we’ll explain some of these issues.
Hydraulic fluid viscosity refers to the thickness or “resistance to pouring” of your hydraulic fluid. This is very important to the correct operation of your pump. The fluid not only transmits the power that moves your drives and actuators. It also lubricates internal components and removes heat from the system. Hydraulic fluid is designed to operate at a specific temperature range. As it heats, it becomes thinner and eventually it will lose the ability to lubricate moving parts. The increased friction may cause the pump to heat up, and naturally increased wear will be taking place when this is happening. On the other hand, hydraulic fluid that is too thick flows less efficiently within the system, which also results in heat buildup.
Fluid that is contaminated with dirt, debris, water and other impurities may cause heat build up in a few ways. Blocked fluid filters, pipes and strainers place undue load on the pump or even lead to pressure drops on the back side of filters that cause cavitation.
Low fluid levels can result in a condition in which not enough flow is reaching the critical hydraulic components and moving parts. This is known as oil starvation and just like running your car without oil, it will increase metal-on-metal friction and lead to increased heat and wear. Oil starvation can also be caused by clogged hydraulic filters, incorrect fluid reservoir design.
Cavitation is the rapid formation and implosion of air cavities in the hydraulic fluid. When these air cavities collapse under pressure, they generate a lot of heat. In fact, temperatures can reach up to 2700 degrees C at the point of implosion! Not only does cavitation compromise the lubrication properties of the oil, the excessive heat that is generated is extremely damaging to the hydraulic pump and the system as a whole. Attacking hoses and seals and causing metal components to expand and wear.
This happens when air makes its way into the system via air leaks at points like pump seals, and pipe fittings. And what happens next in a hydraulic system? Compression! Air generates heat when compressed, which naturally leads to an increase in temperature if left untreated. In extreme circumstances it can also lead to ‘hydraulic dieseling’ whereby compressed air bubbles actually explode in the same process that powers diesel engines. This is not good and leads to degradation of the fluid and damage to system components through loss of lubrication and burning of seals.
As pumps wear, the internal leakage or “slippage” increases. Essentially, fluid is able to make its way past tight fitting components, which reduces the efficiency of the pump, but in addition, as this occurs, fluid moves from a high pressure to a low pressure without doing any mechanical work, since according to the laws of physics energy cannot be destroyed, it is instead converted into heat.
A build-up of excessive heat is a symptom of hydraulic pump problems, but it is far from the only signal that there may be something wrong. There are other important warning signs that you should pay attention to. These include unusual noises, pressure problems and flow problems. Each of these symptoms provide clues about any potential pump problems that need to be addressed - so it’s important to familiarise yourself with all of these issues. To help, we’ve created a downloadable troubleshooting guide containing more information about each of these issues. So that you can keep your system up and running and avoid unplanned downtime. Download ithere.
Hydraulic pumps generate heat while they run. However, hydraulic fluid temperature should never exceed180 degreesF (82 degrees C) under normal working conditions. If your hydraulic pump temperature rises above this, then that is a sign that your pump is likely overheating. One of the most common causes of hydraulic system failure is a hydraulic pump that runs too hot or overheats.
When a hydraulic pump runs at a too-high temperature for too long, it can ultimately lead to pump failure. Once a hydraulic pump begins to fail, it can potentially damage the entire hydraulic system by sending contaminants and debris into the system that can damage its other components.
In addition, when some hydraulic fluids are subject to high temperatures, they can thin and lose their viscosity. When hydraulic fluid is too thin, it is much more likely to leak, and fluid that has lost its viscosity cannot lubricate your pump properly. Extremely hot fluid can also damage pump seals, further increasing the chance of a pump leak.
Some hydraulic fluids thicken and oxidize when exposed to high heat instead of thinning. When hydraulic fluids are too thick, they can restrict flow throughout the entire hydraulic system, which leads to your system heating up even further.
The sooner you determine why your hydraulic pump is running hot and repair the cause of the problem, the less likely your hydraulic system will develop irreversible damage or fail completely.
Hydraulic pumps overheat for many reasons. Just a few of the most common causes of hydraulic pump overheating include: Contaminated hydraulic fluid. When fluid has debris and dirt, contaminant particles can quickly build up on hydraulic system filters, leading to filter clogs. Your pump has to work harder to pump fluid through clogged filters, which leads to overheating.
Aeration. Air leaks at seals and fittings on your hydraulic system components can lead to air entering your system and forming bubbles in your fluid. Air bubbles generate heat when your system compresses them and then pass this heat into the surrounding fluid, overheating it.
Low reservoir fluid. Since your hydraulic system releases some of the heat it creates into reservoir fluid, a low reservoir fluid level can contribute to overheating.
Blocked or damaged heat exchanger. This component is also an important part of your hydraulic pump"s cooling system. If it is blocked or damaged, then it cannot help remove heat from your pump properly.
Once your hydraulic pump beings overheating, you need to find the cause of the problem and repair it. That way, your pump can begin operating within its ideal temperature range again.
If your pump overheats due to fluid contamination, then either remove all contaminants from existing fluid or remove the current contaminated fluid from the system and add fresh fluid. Be sure to filter all fresh hydraulic fluid before you add it to your system because even this fresh fluid can contain contaminants. Also, replace your fluid filters on a regular basis to prevent the overheating that can occur when these filters become blocked with debris.
If air has entered your system through leaky seals and fittings, then have a hydraulic system repair expert inspect and replace or tighten these fittings. Have a hydraulic system repair expert also look at heat exchanger damage to determine if the exchanger needs repairing or replacing.
Finally, be sure to check your system"s reservoir fluid level on a regular basis. Add new fluid when necessary to help this reservoir perform its important task of helping to keep your pump cool.
Your hydraulic pump should always operate within its ideal temperature range. If your pump is running hot, then contact the hydraulic pump experts at Quad Fluid Dynamics, Inc., forhydraulic pump diagnosis and repairtoday.
You can use multiple different upgrades and tuning methods on hydraulic systems. Many users will invest in upgrades that promise more flow and speed. The issue with these upgrades is that they"re not always fit for the hydraulic systems they"re applied to.
Since everything needs to stay in balance, you must make sure your upgrades match the entirety of your hydraulic system. For example, a higher flow pump can help give increased capabilities to a hydraulic system, but did you also check to see if the system"s hoses and piping can handle that increase in flow?
The increased flow can hit your smaller hoses hard and require more pressure just to get through them. This goes for any part of the hydraulic system that isn"t readily capable of handling more flow.
If a component becomes a flow throttle, the increase in pressure at the site can cause an overall pressure drop in the system. Also, the energy required to force flow will directly translate to an increase in heat, which lowers the systems efficiency and effectiveness.
When you make upgrades, also ascertain if you need to change other components. In the example of the higher flow pump, you can simply increase your hose size, and that makes all the difference.
Overheating isa frequent problemwithin hydraulic systems that may be determined by specific components. Thisinternal problem lies within the pump and causes a hydraulic system to overheat in the following ways:
Contaminated hydraulic fluid is a common cause for a Hydraulic system to overheat. This can occur when the container is not sealed properly which causes dust, dirt,debris,or moisture to contaminate the fluid.With hydraulic systems running at higher pressures and more efficiently than ever before, it is important tomonitorthe cleanliness of one’s hydraulic fluid. Reducing contamination can decrease damage andwillallowoneto get the most out oftheirequipment.
Wrong valve calibration could resultin pressure difficulties which can cause a hydraulic system to overheat. The main cause of this is when a facility’s plant design changes and maintenance recalibrate the pressure relief valves for the updated operating pressure. If maintenance adjusts the pressure,and it stilldoes notsolve the problem, the pressure relief valve may have to be replaced entirely. Erosion to a valve is a common occurrence as dirt and debris settle and collectthroughout time. Maintaining the correct pressure will help your system keep up with production and not slow down.
Aeration in a hydraulic system can bea common issueand is caused by an outside air leak in the suction line.The pressure used in the suction line of hydraulic systems is below atmospheric pressure, so oilcannotleak out, but air can leak in.This will occur when there are loose, leaky seals and fittings which will allowtheair to seep in.Aeration can have severalnegative effectson top of overheatingsuch as increasedpump cavitation, excessive noise, and loss of horsepower.Some symptoms of Aeration may include foaming of the fluid, irregular movements, and banging and or loud clicking noises as the hydraulic system compresses and decompresses.
A blocked heat exchanger is significant toheating one’s hydraulic system, while cooling it down is just as important.Aninfrared thermometer isan effective wayto checkthe temperatureof a heat exchanger. Theadjustments can be made according tothedesign of theflow rateof oil.Make sure to replace the fluid fitterslocatedin the pumpon a regular basis to ensure theywill not get blocked andoverheat.
Oil Type plays a critical role inany hydraulic system. The wrong oil will not only affect the performance of the system but also cut down the lifespan of the machine. Theoil Viscositydeterminesthe maximum and minimum temperatures in which a hydraulic system can safelyoperate.Thin oils have a lowviscosity andflow more easily at low temperaturesthanthicker oils that have a higherviscosity.If the oil is too thin it can cause internal friction whichcreates heat and cancausethe system to overheat.
Low reservoir fluid is a common cause ofoverheating in hydraulic systems as itreleasesbuilt-upheatfrom the machineintothe fluid. Not having enough reservoir fluid cancontribute tocavitation andultimate damage to the pump.
Hydraulic pump failure candamage the entire hydraulic system.When a pump fails,debris, dirt, and grime kick out downstreamand can affect theoil,filter,valves, fluid, and actuator.Contactour KICK@$$ hydraulic system repair professionalsat Allied Hydraulic to avoid these problems.
The experimental results show that 75% of the failure of hydraulic system of concrete pump truck (truck-mounted pump) is caused by pollution, overheating and air entry. If you understand some basic principles and understand the main factors leading to failure, you will ensure that the system is in good working condition for a long time. The details are as follows:
(1) The outside of the system is not clean. The unclean substance is brought into the system when refueling or inspecting the quantity of oil, or through the damaged oil seal or sealing ring.
(2) The internal cleaning is not thorough. Fine stone pumps use a number of concrete pumps technology, fine stone concrete conveying equipment. In the construction of fine stone concrete or mortar backfilling layer in geothermal engineering, the use of fine stone concrete pump is not easy to destroy the geothermal pipeline, and can greatly improve the construction efficiency and reduce the labor intensity of workers. There is still a small amount of dirt residue in the fuel tank or parts.
(6) Oil that has gradually deteriorated will corrode (meaning: rot, disappear, erode, etc.) parts. Corroded metals may become free molecules suspended in oil.
(1) When air or water enters the oil, when the hydraulic pump converts the oil into pressure oil, air and water will contribute to the increase of heat and cause overheating;
(5) If the return valve is not adjusted properly or the damaged parts are not replaced in time, sometimes heat will be generated. Mortar pump is a cantilever single-stage single-suction centrifugal pump. It is designed and developed for conveying corrosive medium containing fine particles. The pump is made of UHMW-PE with steel lining. This material is a new generation of corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant engineering plastics for pumps. Its outstanding advantage is that it has excellent wear resistance and impact resistance (especially in all plastics). Low temperature impact resistance, creep resistance (environmental stress cracking resistance) and excellent corrosion resistance.
(3) Oil suction pipelines are worn, scratched or corroded (meaning: decay, disappearance, erosion, etc.), so air enters. Small concrete pump (pump truck) consists of pump body and conveying pipe. It is a kind of machine that uses pressure to continuously convey concrete along pipeline. It is mainly used in building, bridge and tunnel construction. It is mainly divided into gate valve concrete pump and S valve concrete pump. Another is to install the pump body on the chassis of the car, and then equipped with a retractable or flexible cloth bar, and constitute the pump truck.
Pump failures will lead to product quality defects and production loss. There will typically be one or more backup pumps in order to minimize the risk of a pump failure affecting production.
Hydraulic power units comprise several elements, which may include: pumps, motors, oil tank, pressure filters, return filters, oil level switch, temperature switch, pressure switch, oil cooler/heater, thermostat valve, thermometer, electric terminal box and circuits for circulation/pressure/etc.
The pump may be driven in the wrong direction of rotation. Stop the pump to prevent seizure. Check the rotation of the pump as indicated by the arrow on the pump body.
Intake pipe is blocked or the oil viscosity is too heavy to prime. Drain the system. Add clean fluid of the proper viscosity. Filter the oil as recommended. Check the filter for cleanliness. Check the oil temperature in the reservoir.
Fluid level is too low. The reservoir fluid level must be above the opening of the intake pipe. Check the system on start up to make sure that it is filled to the proper level.
Worn pump parts are causing extreme internal leakage. Replace the rotor sets and take the required corrective steps after examination of the pump parts.
The intake strainer/pipe is clogged or restricted. The pump must receive intake fluid freely or cavitation occurs. Drain the system, clean the pipes and clean or replace the strainer. Add new fluid and strain properly.
Air leaks at the pump intake pipe joints or shaft seal. Pour fluid on the pipe joints and shaft seal while listening for a change in sound. Tighten the joints and replace seals as necessary. Check the shaft journal for scoring at the seals and replace as necessary.
There is excessive pressure on the seals. Check for restrictions or excessive length of line on externally drained pumps. Internal drain pumps should be drained to the inlet side with no more than 10-psi pressure.
Too much thrust on the pump bearings. Pump shaft must not be out of line more than .005 inch with the motor shaft. Shaft end gap should be 1/8-inch minimum.
The fluid temperature is too high. The pump should be shut down immediately after comparing pump, inlet line and reservoir temperatures. If the pump is excessively hot, it should be overhauled.
The reservoir for the unit must be large enough to handle all of the oil contained in the machinery (for example a CC roll) if there is a situation that requires the machinery be completely drained. The reservoir should be cleaned and inspected for corrosion and other damage yearly, or more frequently as needed.
When hydraulic oil is getting overheated, there could be several common causes that also cause the system to overheat. First, it is crucial to understand the type of hydraulic system you are using to begin troubleshooting why the system is overheating.
The first cause of hydraulic oil overheating is when the hydraulic equipment system parts and components are nearing the end of their useful lifespans. As they degrade, due to increased internal leakage, they have to work harder to maintain the desired system pressure.
For example, your hydraulic pump is wearing out and needs to be replaced. Due to internal wear pressurised fluid escapes from the high pressure side to the low pressure side generating heat increasing the temperature of the hydraulic fluid and causing circuit overheating.
It is understood that you may want to make system upgrades or changes to customize the system to reflect your specific needs. However, when you do not consider the entire system, it can cause the system to work hard, give off more heat, and increase hydraulic oil temperatures, leading to circuit overheating.
For instance, you may want to increase the fluid flow rate through the system. However, you did not account for the size of hoses and tubing to accommodate the higher flow rates. As a result, the system has to work hard to force the increased flow rates through incompatible hoses and tubes, resulting in more heat generation and fluid overheating.
Tweaking your hydraulic system is perfectly acceptable to optimize its performance. However, where many people go wrong is they only adjust one part of the system and fail to think about how the adjustment will impact other parts of the system.
For example, suppose you make an adjustment to the pump compensator and increase the pressure yet fail to also make a similar adjustment to the relief valve. In this instance the relief valve will blow off more frequently generating more heat and therefore increasing the circuit fluid temperature.
Every component in a hydraulic system imposes a load on the pump, this is referred to as the pressure drop across the particular component. The figure will vary depending upon the flow rate and the energy lost from the fluid due to the pressure drop is converted into heat. If the overall pressure drop across all the components in the circuit unexpectedly increases so the heat generated across the circuit will also increase.
If the fluid is not cooled to compensate for this the fluid temperature continues to increase as the other parts and components generate excessive heat.
If there is dirt, sludge, debris, or water in the hydraulic fluid, the system will generate more heat as it attempts to compensate for the contaminants and push the fluid through the system. Therefore, it is always vital to check your fluid for contamination and change it and or improve fluid filtration when required.
After troubleshooting overheating problems, if you have determined it is not due to the four common causes mentioned above, then there are two general ways you can resolve fluid overheating problems. You can either increase the reservoir capacity to dissipate heat or decrease the amount of heat being generated by the system.
Another way to increase the heat dissipation is to inspect the current heat exchangers, if they are being used, and make the appropriate adjustments. In some cases, you may want to install additional heat exchangers to help reduce the fluid temperature.
In addition, check the airflow around the reservoir as the higher the airflow the more efficiently the reservoir radiates the heat from the fluid held inside it.
To find hydraulic parts, components, and accessories to help you resolve hydraulic oil overheating problems, or if you require assistance in troubleshooting system overheating, please feel free to contact White House Products, Ltd. at +44 (0) 1475 742500 today!
Approximately 80% to 90% of all hydraulic equipment failures are caused by air or water contamination, or excessive heat. Faulty pumps, temperature issues and system breaches (loss of fluid pressure most often caused by leaks or burst hydraulic hose) can each be a root cause of contamination.
The hydraulic pump is literally the heart of the machine, and its failure can be extremely damaging. When a pump fails it means costly downtime and expensive repairs. In addition to repair costs, every hour heavy machinery or industrial equipment is off-line can be more costly to the organization than the repairs. That’s why scheduled preventative maintenance is so important. The sooner a pump problem is recognized the easier and less expensive it will be to fix.
Because the hydraulic pump is at the heart of the machine it is also the workhorse that can’t be neglected. It is the single component most subject to wear and most likely to cause a gradual or sudden failure of the hydraulic system.
These symptoms do not always prove that the hydraulic pump is failing, however it does mean something in the hydraulic system is about to fail if gone unchecked. With contamination being a primary cause of most pump failures, preventing contaminationis a reasonably clear-cut process that can save hundreds, if not thousands, in repair and replacement costs. Not to mention the often higher costs associated with downtime.
The danger in working on hydraulic systems is they are under high pressure, typically 2,000 PSI or more, and are also at high temperature. When performing maintenance there is the potential of being exposed to three kinds of hazards:
And the most extreme - hydraulic injection of fluid into the skin. Hydraulic injection initially feels like a bee sting and is too often ignored. However, within a few hours the symptoms turn to higher levels of pain, swelling, and redness. Then numbness and throbbing rapidly move into the affected area. If the injury goes untreated, within about six hours hydraulic fluid can easily cause compartment syndrome, where necrotic tissues cause cells to die, which can result in amputations, and even death.
Some systems store hydraulic energy in accumulators which are designed to store oil under pressure when the engine is shut down, the hydraulic pump can’t keep up with demand, or the pump malfunctions. Even if a component is disconnected, or the pump has stopped, the system is still under pressure. Consequently, it’s imperative to relieve the pressure before the work begins.
Preventative maintenance is a given when it comes to any machine or system, from changing the oil in a car to servicing a hydraulic system in everything from a backhoe to an airplane. But knowing the signs of hydraulic problems and what to do about them is critical to avoid impending system failure.
As mentioned, heat, air and water contamination are the most common causes of impeded hydraulic performance. The hydraulic pump is the most critical component in the system and the most expensive to replace. As a pump begins to wear, debris are usually introduced into the system. These can be metal chip debris or even hydraulic fluid foaming. Foaming is an often overlooked issue with industrial machinery, where a collection of small bubbles of air accumulates on or near the surface of the fluid leading to excessive oxidation, cavitation, and the reduction of lubricating properties. Any of these issues can ultimately cause hydraulic system failure or at the very least downstream issues.
Repairing leaks, maintaining the correct fluid levels, and using proper filtration all add up to the first line of defense against hydraulic system contamination and excessive heat. It’s vital to use the correct fluidas recommend by the OEM manufacturer in hydraulic pumps and systems and keep the system clean and free of air and water.
Synthetic and Semi- Synthetic hydraulic oils improve efficiency and provide exceptional protection in extreme heat and cold. These fluids also offer increased resistance to oxidation that can result from heat with the addition of special inhibitors. They are formulated with anti-wear additives to help prevent hydraulic pump and valve wear while providing added protection in severe conditions. In addition, the inclusion of anti-foam additives in the fluid helps in releasing air from the system.
If you ended up on this page doing normal allowed operations, please contact our support at support@mdpi.com. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Ray ID & Your IP found at the
This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
derived from a hydraulic pump. All pumps, however, are vulnerable to a powersapping phenomenon known as “internal leakage”. Internal leakage occurs to a
Hyundai hydraulic pumps are integral parts of excavators. The company is the third largest manufacturer in the world. As one of the leading brands, Hyundai has been popularized after producing high quality and durable products over time.
An excavator Hyundai hydraulic pump can overheat for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is actually running the pump at too low of an RPM. When the pump is not turning fast enough, it can’t move the oil through the system quickly enough and it starts to overheat. Another common cause is a blockage in the system somewhere. This could be a blockage in the suction line, return line, or even in the pump itself. If there is a blockage, the oil can’t flow properly and it will start to overheat.
If your excavator Hyundai hydraulic pump is overheating, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem. First, check the RPM of the pump. If it is running too low, increase it until it is running at the proper speed. Next, check for any blockages in the system. If you find one, clean it out and see if that fixes the problem. Finally, if neither of those two things works, you may need to replace the pump itself.
There are many potential causes of an excavator Hyundai hydraulic pump overheating. The most common cause is a loss of hydraulic fluid due to a leak in the system. Other causes can include a build-up of dirt and debris in the system, or a problem with the pump itself.
If you suspect that your excavator’s hydraulic pump is overheating, the first step is to check for leaks. If you find a leak, make sure to repair it as soon as possible. If there is no leak, then you will need to clean out the system to remove any dirt or debris that may be causing the problem.
If you are still having problems with your excavator’s hydraulic pump overheating, it may be necessary to replace the pump itself. This is a more complex repair, so it is best to consult with a qualified mechanic or dealer before proceeding.
There are several potential causes of an excavator Hyundai hydraulic pump overheating, but the most common cause is simply because the pump isn’t getting enough oil. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a leaking oil line or an incorrect amount of oil being used. Another potential cause is that the pump isn’t getting enough cooling water, which can be caused by a clogged water filter or an insufficient water supply. Whatever the cause, it’s important to get the problem fixed as soon as possible to avoid damage to the pump.
The Hyundai hydraulic pump is located in the engine bay of the excavator. It is responsible for providing hydraulic pressure to the excavator’s hydraulic system. If the pump overheats, it can cause damage to the hydraulic system and potentially lead to a loss of excavator performance. There are a few things that you can do to prevent the pump from overheating:
– Inspect the pump regularly for any potential leaks. Leaks can cause the fluid level to drop and also allow air to enter the system, which can cause problems.
If you’re noticing that the Hyundai hydraulic pump on your excavator is overheating, there are a few things you can do to prevent it. First, make sure that the pump is getting enough oil. If the pump isn’t properly lubricated, it will overheat. You should also check the cooling system to make sure it’s working properly. If the pump is still overheating, you may need to replace the seals or bearings.
If you have an excavator Hyundai, you may have experienced your hydraulic pump overheating. This can be a major problem, as it can lead to damaged equipment and even injuries. However, there are a few things you can do to help prevent this from happening. make sure that your excavator is properly ventilated. Second, check the fluid levels in your hydraulic system regularly. Third, use aHydraulic Pump Overheating Prevention Kit. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your hydraulic pump doesn’t overheat and cause damage to your equipment or yourself.
1. The system or jack is over filled. Especially a problem when a tank has been topped off while the cylinder (A.K.A. actuator) is left extended, which makes it full of oil, so that once the cylinder comes back down to the completely retracted position, the excess oil takes the path of least resistance which is most likely the filler vent cap on the oil reservoir. In extreme cases we"ve seen plastic and rubber filler caps blown right out of the tank filler port. Also, in this scenario tank gaskets can get blown out, plastic and thin metal tanks can bulge or crack from the pressure that can result with non-vented reservoirs.
2. The oil level is too low. Low enough that the intake port or pick-up tube in a reservoir is able to draw in air. This can cause aeration of the oil and as that bubbly or foamy oil rushes back to the tank, it can be more than the tank volume and can come out of the vent cap. There are other ways the air can be introduced into your system that we will cover in another blog post.
The pump whether manual, air or electrically driven takes longer to start actuating the cylinder -All the pumping before the cylinder moves is the time it takes for the air in the system to be compressed enough to start moving the actuator.
Air being introduced into a hydraulic system can causeCavitationand in turn possibly cause severe damage to moving parts and potentially a dangerous situation to the user and anybody else around the hydraulic system or related machinery. This would most likely be an issue with high flow type systems, not with manually operated tools and jacks and hydraulic press set-ups that don’t operate at high RPMs. If you suspect that damage has occurred it’s best to stop using the equipment before more damage can happen, possible rendering the equipment beyond economical repair.
Manually operated devices like hand pump and cylinder set-ups, most jacks, hydraulic knock-out sets, crimpers and cutters, being over-filled or under-filled usually isn"t as damaging to the tool like Cavitation as described above. None the less can cause problems resulting in a potentially dangerous situation – Never attempt to work on any kind of hydraulic equipment that is under load or has pressurized lines.If you aren’t sure – STOP - find out. It’s not worth an accident!
Important note:Before working on your system or tool, ALWAYS consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer of the equipment you are working on - The following steps are only a basic, general guide, and not to be used as a substitute for the manufacturers guidelines for the specific equipment you are working on.
With your cylinder rod (A.K.A. piston) in the completely retracted position, check the oil level of your jack or system. Top off to recommended level and try actuating the system or tool again. Extending the actuator and retracting a few times may be needed to purge all air. If this initially fixes the problem but it reoccurs, your system is likely drawing air from someplace other than the intake in the tank and needs repair. Also, keep in mind that not all jacks and tools are self-bleeding. Generally, a system, jack or tool will purge air if the cylinder is below the elevation of the oil reservoir.
There are many variations in designs of hydraulic jacks, tools and systems. Some may have special bleeding procedures specific to them – Don’t hesitate to call us if you need help getting the correct service instruction or parts manuals for your equipment! Work Safe!