Four Signs That Your Hydraulic Pumps Need Maintenance

Any of the following signs mean it’s time to schedule a detailed inspection for your hydraulic pumps:

• Loss of power delivery, or reduced power output – Hydraulic pumps are expected to deliver fluid power smoothly and up to capacity. If the hydraulic pump struggles to reach capacity or handles roughly as it comes up to capacity, this could indicate one of several issues, such as an internal fluid leak or a control valve malfunction. Power loss may be accompanied by hydraulic bypass, which typically occurs around the hydraulic pump shaft. Issues with power delivery may also be due to the hydraulic fluid itself, as altered performance characteristics (perhaps due to overheating or contamination) can adversely affect flow, as well.
  
  Altered power delivery is a potentially dangerous issue if your hydraulic pumps lose power during heavy duty work. As such, hydraulic pump power issues necessitate a full system inspection.
  
  
• Pooling hydraulic fluid or hydraulic fluid residues – It’s never a good sign when hydraulic fluid is present outside of the hydraulic system. If it escapes from the hydraulic pump, the fluid will most likely be seen on the pump’s body, close to the pump motor shaft. There are hydraulic fluid seals near the motor shaft, and failure in these are a common precursor to hydraulic pump leaks.
  
  Overly soiled hydraulic pump filters can also contribute to leak risks and therefore should be regularly inspected and cleaned (or replaced). This will also reduce the chances of contamination escaping into the system.
  
  If the hydraulic fluid leak is external, the first sign of problems may be hydraulic fluid pooling around the pump or another system component. Keep in mind that hydraulic fluid can run from the leak’s origin some distance, so don’t assume that the leak is right where the hydraulic fluid is gathering.
  
  If a hydraulic leak is present, or if you strongly suspect one, shut the hydraulic pump down and schedule a full inspection for it.
  
  
• Hydraulic fluid contamination – The biggest threat to any hydraulic system is contamination. It can cause a host of hydraulic pump problems, including the kind of issues that can lead to catastrophic failures. Excessive components wear, overheating and cavitation are among the complications arising from hydraulic fluid contamination.
  
  Hydraulic fluid contamination may be caused by contaminants entering into the system from the surrounding environment – much more likely in dirty- moisture-rich work settings. Contaminants can also emerge from within the hydraulic system or pump – the result of internal wear, a heavily soiled filter, or hydraulic fluid that’s past its useful life.
  
  If you suspect hydraulic fluid contamination, take a fluid sample from a test point near the hydraulic pump. Look for any signs of sediment in the fluid, which may present with a cloudy or milky appearance. You may also detect an unusual odor coming from the hydraulic fluid, signaling contamination.
  
  In some cases, contaminants may be too fine to see with the naked eye. To identify these, send a fluid sample to an engineering lab for chemical analysis. This will reveal any unseen contamination.
  
  The best protection against contamination is regular, thorough cleaning. Every few months, drain the hydraulic pump’s reservoir and wipe down the interior surfaces in the reservoir using a mild solvent and lint-free cloth.
  
  
• Overheating hydraulic pump components – An overheating hydraulic pump may be a sign of hydraulic fluid contamination, restricted fluid flow, a soiled pump filter, a hydraulic fluid leak or a malfunctioning heat exchanger. These are many potential causes, so if the hydraulic pump is overheating, a full inspection is recommended.
  
  The goal is to detect overheating before it causes equipment failure. To do this, use a thermal gun to take the system’s temperature at several test points. Take these readings frequently to identify the pump’s nominal operating temperature range. When these readings spike out of the safe range, it’s time to schedule an inspection.