Most of us never stop to think about hydraulic systems. Probably because the majority of people don’t really know what they do, how they operate. Well, they are amazing. Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid to produce power, doing many tasks both simple and complex. Imagine pumps pushing fluid through valves into a cylinder. The pressure triggers energy capable of lifting heavy stuff or doing other jobs.
Why use hydraulic systems, you might ask?
They’re super efficient, beating out electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic systems. Plus, they’re easy to use, reliable, and don’t need much upkeep.
Hydraulic systems aren’t just for heavy machinery. They’re everywhere, like in entertainment, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, the energy sector, and more. Keep reading to discover more about why hydraulic systems are so useful and important in our daily lives.
Efficiency and Simplicity
Efficiency is defined as the ability to accomplish a task with the least amount of waste. This includes time waste, effort waste, and material waste. Essentially, an efficient job is one completed in less time with less effort—work input minus work output. That means that a more simplified task would result in either the same amount or more output.
Hydraulic systems are extremely simple equipment. Operating them requires the easy movements of levers and pushing of buttons. In fact, completing many of the tasks required of hydraulic systems, such as moving heavy objects or lifting vehicles into the air for work, would need a lot of manpower and effort to do so. Instead, cranes can move large weights and lifts can put automobiles in the air. Hydraulic systems are simple to start, stop, raise, lower, and accelerate.
Anywhere Use
There is no electricity in many construction sites or other locations. With hydraulic systems, all you need is fluid and pressure, eliminating the need for electricity or other energy sources as hydraulic systems create their own energy. No matter where you are, hydraulic systems are there to help you complete the job.
Low Maintenance
The inside components of hydraulic systems may seem complex, but they really aren’t. They are composed of valves, fittings, seals, and tubes, which means there are minimal moving parts. Minimal moving parts mean that diagnosing issues, replacing parts, and maintaining equipment is relatively straightforward. The durability of hydraulic systems surpasses both mechanical and pneumatic systems.
Low-Cost
When operating hydraulic systems means all you need is to push buttons and move levers, you don’t have to hire highly skilled technicians. In fact, many hydraulic systems can operate without any personnel at all. When hydraulic systems require little maintenance, you don’t need to spend all of your time troubleshooting problems and repairing components. All of this means that you can save on both time and costs.
Hydraulic Systems in Everyday Life
Hydraulic systems may seem like a far concept to many, only operating in construction site equipment and industrial settings, but they actually play a large role in our everyday lives. Below are some examples of hydraulic equipment that you see every day:
• Vehicle Repair – They mechanisms that are used to lift vehicles into the air for mechanics to work on are hydraulic systems.
• Gasoline – Hydraulic systems use pumps and valves to move hydraulic liquid, including fuel. How else do you think gas and diesel move from the tanks in the ground to your vehicle at fuel stations?
• Dishwashers – Our dishwashers require water pressure to remove food remnants, and it is the proficiency of hydraulic systems that regulate this pressure.
• Amusement Parks – Hydraulic systems are used to start, stop, and control the motion of roller coasters and fair rides.
• Chairs – Offices, barber shops, and other chairs rise, fall, and recline at our whim. They do this due to liquid and the pressure it requires to move in certain directions—a hydraulic system.
• Heavy Equipment – Snowplows, cranes, forklifts—the mechanism that allows this heavy equipment to move side to side and up and down to complete their jobs is a hydraulic system.
In Review
As much as we may not realize it, hydraulic systems are the backbone of our society. They run elevators, optimize industrial equipment, and operate everyday equipment. That’s why it’s important to invest in the health of hydraulic systems, so that we not only safeguard our current technological achievements but also pave the way for more innovative and efficient developments in the future.
Servo Kinetics in Ann Arbor provides the hydraulic repair and maintenance services that both your equipment and business needs. Our team of highly experienced engineers and hydraulic specialists have a thorough understanding of hydraulic principles preventing costly breakdowns and unplanned downtime. Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround can’t be beaten. Call today!