How to Maintain a Hydraulic Pump
Regardless of its function or location, the hydraulic pump serves as the critical core of any hydraulic system. Responsible for circulating fluids under high pressures, it often becomes a focal point for potential issues causing system downtime. Therefore, it is vital for operator crews to prioritize proactive maintenance of hydraulic pump systems.
In this guide, we will explore effective strategies for operators to maintain hydraulic pump equipment and know when to seek professional assistance from a certified technician
Six Hydraulic Pump Maintenance Tasks To Extend System Reliability
Preventative maintenance keeps your hydraulic pumps in the field longer and operating with maximum efficiency. The goal of such maintenance is to protect ideal operating conditions for the system. In many applications, hydraulic pumps are subjected to intense working conditions, including environmental dust and moisture. These can bring down a hydraulic pump in a hurry if preventative maintenance isn’t performed on schedule and to completion.
Your team’s preventative maintenance regimen should include the following six routines:
- Tracking equipment usage – Long before any of your equipment comes up for maintenance, its usage and performance should be tracked. There is management software available for this purpose, designed to help contractors maintain equipment oversight, but any tracking approach is better than no approach.
By tracking pump usage, your operators will know exactly which hydraulic pumps are due for a round of preventative maintenance. And if any potential problems are spotted during this maintenance, they can be noted when a certified technician inspects the pump and its components.
- Check the level and quality of hydraulic oil – Before every job, operators should check hydraulic oil levels. Sufficient fluid levels are essential for reliable power delivery and for preventing contamination in the system. Further, if oil levels drop too low, this can also cause the system to overheat, leading to damage if not addressed.
If oil levels are low, the reservoir should be filled with oil specified by the manufacturer. Off-specification fluid may accelerate wear in the pump and result in inconsistent performance. Oil changes are also recommended if existing fluid shows signs of contamination.
- Wipe down hoses, connections, and the pump’s reservoir – Environmental dust, dirt, moisture, or air are all threats to your pump if they enter the system anywhere along the line. Common sources of ingress include hose fittings and seals, and the highest risk of contamination is when the system is opened up for maintenance.
To prevent ingress contamination from making their way into the system, wipe off the hoses and any fittings or couplings. This should be done following operation and prior to performing maintenance on the pump.
- Inspect filters and clean any that are soiled – Whether the system’s filters are integrated into the pump itself or installed in-line, they require an occasional inspection and cleaning (or replacement) to protect flow performance. Heavily soiled filters also represent a contamination risk and therefore should be either replaced or cleaned. For the pump’s suction strainer and breather cap, this means cleaning. For inline filters, this means replacement, usually every six to 12 months. Some filters have change indicators built into them, and they need to be checked every month or so to ensure each filter is in good condition.
- Check for leaks where they are more likely to emerge – If your hydraulic pump is leaking, your system is at a high risk of taking on contamination. Further, any loss of hydraulic fluid can affect the system’s ability to deliver and maintain pressure.
Prior to every job, pressurize the system and check every in-line component for leaks. Pay extra attention to the hose connections and anywhere a seal is present. These are the most likely culprits if leaks are suspected. If there are no obvious signs of external leaks (fluid pooling, a noticeable odor), an internal leak may be present. This could be due to valve or seal issues and requires a full system breakdown to catch.
- Occasionally flush the pump – At least once a year, it’s a good idea to flush out your hydraulic system and give the pump a deep cleaning. To do so, disconnect the hoses from the pump, empty the cylinder of all hydraulic fluid, remove the reservoir and the valve from inside the reservoir. Once these components have been separated, clean them with a mild solvent and take care to remove all dirt or contamination from the valve and reservoir.
Three Signs That Your Hydraulic Pump Needs an Inspection from a Certified Technician
The above maintenance steps will minimize the effects of wear on your pump, but they won’t prevent that wear entirely. Eventually, your pump will experience efficiency or reliability issues that require an expert to accurately diagnose.
Here are a few signs that your equipment needs a full system breakdown and inspection:
● A loss of pressure or pressurizing efficiency – If the pump can no longer deliver or maintain pressure, it could cause safety risks during heavy duty lifting, pulling, pushing, or spreading applications. There could be several factors behind the system’s loss of pressure, too, including internal leaks, fluid contaminants, sticky valves, internal wear, or a number of other issues. The only way to identify the exact cause is to breakdown the pump and give it a detailed inspection.
● The system is overheating – Overheating can accelerate pump wear and affect fluid viscosity. In most cases, excessive heat will thin out the fluid and increase the likelihood of leaks. Sometimes, though, elevated temperatures will cause hydraulic fluid to oxidize and thicken, restricting flow through the pump and badly damaging performance.
Overheating may be the result of contamination, low fluid levels, trapped air, a blocked heat exchanger, or other mechanical issue.
● There are unusual noises emanating from the pump – Pumps are loud, but operators typically become familiar with the sounds they make while delivering power. If there are any sounds outside the range of normal, though, an inspection is needed. Specifically, any high-pitched whining, growling, or banging sounds merit immediate expert attention.
A Trusted Hydraulic Expert Can Optimize Your Pumps Uptime and Your Team’s Efficiency
Pumps are a critical piece of equipment in any hydraulic system – it may be impossible to get work done without one. Given their importance, protecting your hydraulic pumps with on-time maintenance is an investment into your business. To get the maximum return on that investment, consider partnering with a hydraulic power expert who can provide comprehensive breakdown, inspection and repair services.