Hydraulic pumps are powerful and reliable tools that perform essential work in residential, industrial, and commercial environments. Known as workhorses, hydraulic pumps and motors operate to keep cellars and work spaces dry, move water to homes and businesses, keep mills running smoothly, and more.
In order to keep your hydraulic equipment operating smoothly and efficiently, you need to lookout for obvious signs of potential failure.
Extend The Life Of Your Hydraulic Pump by Preparing For These Factors
Hydraulic pumps are known for their reliability and longevity. Despite their resiliency, getting the most out of them requires avoiding certain factors that can damage them and impact their lifespan.
Identifying these factors and the changes they bring to your pump can help avoid repairs or replacements. More importantly, it will ensure costly damage or loss of valuable work hours for your business.
● Loud Noises: A smoothly operating pump has a distinctive sound and should run smoothly. If you’ve noticed a change in the sound yours is making, it’s time to perform some maintenance. This is especially true if you hear knocking or banging, as these sounds usually indicate imminent failure.
● Heat: The optimal operating temperature for a hydraulic pump is around 180F (82C). If you’ve noticed your pump getting exceptionally hot, its inner workings are suffering. Act quickly, and it may be as simple as clearing a hose; wait too long, and you’ll have to replace the whole unit.
● General Performance: Poor pump performance is a clear sign that something is wrong with your pump. If you’ve noticed that yours just isn’t getting the job done as well as it used to, it’s time for some maintenance.
● Keep the Filter Clean: Reduce the strain on the pump that can lead to heat issues. Remove the old filter, check the casing for corrosion or damage, and clean it with a clean cloth. If all seems in order, replace the filter with a new one, and put it back to work.
What Can Cause Hydraulic Pump Failure?
Hydraulic pumps have to operate in a wide range of circumstances; some are particularly harsh and demanding. Due to the stresses of these environments, they become subject to factors that can lead to your pump becoming damaged.
● Cavitation – A frequent cause of pump failure is contamination by air that dissolves in the oil. When these gasses come out of the oil, they rapidly collapse in the intense pressure within the pump, causing the banging noise. When you hear loud banging noises from your pump, there’s a good chance you’re hearing cavitation. This is particularly violent; the resulting shockwaves can severely damage your pump.
● Aeration – Another consequence of their hostile operating environments is the risk of damaging their casing. This damage can cause leaks that allow air to find its way into the interior of the pump, causing a milder knocking. This knocking still has the potential to cause your pump to fail.
● Water Contamination – When water enters the pump’s inner workings, bad times are ahead, especially in sub-freezing temperatures. In its liquid form, it mixes with the oil, causing oxidation of the inner components and eroding hydraulic parts. If allowed to freeze, it can have devastating consequences as it expands and damages interior components.
When Will I Need To Call For Professional Hydraulic Pump Repair?
On-site maintenance can keep a pump operating smoothly for a while. Eventually, it will need to be taken care of by professionals to ensure the longest operating lifetime. When these problems become recurring, it means there’s a persistent issue that needs to be addressed before the pump fails. If you’ve addressed all the factors you can, such as keeping connections tight and changing the filter, call a professional hydraulic repair company immediately!
Time to Service your Hydraulic Equipment?
Choose Servo Kinetics in Ann Arbor for unparalleled hydraulic repair services. Our expert team excels in restoring all types of hydraulic systems, pumps and motors, ensuring peak performance and reliability. With decades of experience, we offer precision repairs, fast turnaround times, and a commitment to quality.
Our goal is to save you money and get you back up and running and it shows in our customer service and final product. Every hydraulic repair is a testament to our dedication to excellence.