Hydraulic Equipment Maintenance for the Construction Industry
The construction industry relies on hydraulic equipment to push, pull, lift, lower, spread, crush and handle tons of material. All of that work is done in rugged environments, which means your hydraulic equipment assets require consistent maintenance to operate reliably.
Hydraulic equipment maintenance efforts will be largely focused on the following:
- Any hydraulic pumps
- Hydraulic cylinders (the actuators)
- Hydraulic valves and hoses
These system components are heavily tested by dirt and moisture – two common hazards on any construction site. By keeping your hydraulic equipment on a consistent maintenance routine, you can mitigate some of the worst risks.
Put Your Hydraulic Equipment on a Maintenance Schedule
If your business operates a fleet of hydraulic machinery, it can be a challenge keeping everything tuned up and in good shape. An important first step in doing so is establishing a maintenance record for all of your hydraulic equipment resources. This can be done with paper or software, and in both instances should include the following details:
- When the hydraulic equipment was last maintained
- The exact maintenance services the equipment received
- Notes on any ongoing or emerging issues with hydraulic equipment
- What replacement parts, if any, were used to repair the hydraulic equipment
- Notes on when the next round of maintenance will be required
Implementing a maintenance tracking system will ensure your hydraulic equipment is serviced on time and to specification. This will make it easier for your crew to maintain its hydraulic equipment assets, prolong their useful life and optimize their productivity.
Hydraulic Pump Maintenance for the Construction Industry
Your hydraulic pumps will be one of the first pieces of equipment to show signs of problems if any are present. These signs may include:
- Loss of power delivery, or reduced power output
- Leaking hydraulic fluid
- Unusual sounds, such as banging or whining
- Overheating system components or hydraulic fluid
- Visible sediment in the hydraulic fluid
If any of the above are present, consider consulting with a hydraulic equipment expert to diagnose the underlying problem.
The best way to avoid hydraulic pump problems is with on-time pump maintenance that includes the following:
- Cleaning – Contamination is the number one cause of hydraulic system failures, and the number one source of contaminants is dirt and debris from the environment.
Regular cleaning will minimize the risk of contaminants entering the system. When cleaning a hydraulic pump, drain any hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and wipe down all interior surfaces with a zero-lint cloth, taking care to clean any cavities thoroughly. Flush out the reservoir with a lower viscosity hydraulic fluid and wipe down the outside of the pump body with a cloth dampened with a mild solvent. - Part inspection – The hydraulic pump’s filters, seals and blades should be inspected when servicing a hydraulic pump, along with any bearing surfaces. Seals are particularly prone to early failure and are quick to wear if there are contaminants in the system.
If you are having to replace the same components frequently, this could be a sign that there are larger issues with your hydraulic equipment that warrants professional repairs. - Sampling the hydraulic fluid – Contamination first infiltrates into a hydraulic pump via the system’s hydraulic fluid. If this contamination can be spotted and addressed right away, it will minimize any damage to your hydraulic equipment. At least once a month, take a hydraulic fluid sample from a test point connected to the system. You may take samples from multiple points to isolate where contaminants are emerging in the system.
When sampling the fluid, look for any signs of physical sediment or cloudiness. If you suspect contamination but cannot visually confirm it, send a sample to an engineering lab for analysis. The analysis will reveal whether contamination is present, even if you can’t see it.
Hydraulic Cylinder and Actuator Maintenance in the Construction Industry
Hydraulic cylinders are installed on all earthmoving and construction equipment to deliver force. If the hydraulic cylinders fail, your operations will come to a halt. These maintenance routines will help prevent failures:
- Cleaning – Hydraulic cylinders are also susceptible to contamination and must be cleaned down to minimize the risk of introducing dirt or debris into the system.
When cleaning a hydraulic cylinder, flushing it out with hydraulic fluid similar in viscosity is recommended. Clean or replace the hydraulic cylinder’s filters and remove any traces of old lubricant before applying fresh lubricant to the rods and pistons. - Seal inspection and replacement – Hydraulic cylinder seals are a frequent failure point and should be inspected for wear when performing a full equipment check. The piston, rod and wiper seals should get a particularly close look, as failures here will cause hydraulic fluid leaks or introduce contaminants into the system.
- Inspect the piston rod for damage – If the piston rod is worn or damaged, it will adversely affect the actuator’s performance and can result in catastrophic failures if not addressed. When opening up the hydraulic cylinder for a full inspection, look for any signs of corrosion, pitting, scoring or other indications of damage on the piston rod. It will need to be replaced if wear is significant.
Hydraulic Hose and Valve Maintenance for the Construction Industry
Hydraulic hoses and valves can be another source of hydraulic system issues, as damage to either can introduce contaminants or interfere with normal operation. Give your hydraulic hoses an occasional inspection to ensure they aren’t fraying in spots or leaking. Ensure all hose connections are clean and sufficiently tightened to keep dirt out.
The hydraulic system’s valves can also cause problems if they aren’t properly configured. A “sticky” valve may impede flow as well and can be caused by contamination or a bad solenoid.
The Best Protective Measure for Hydraulic Construction Equipment is Partnering with a Hydraulic Equipment Expert
The construction industry places extreme demands on its hydraulic equipment, and consistent maintenance is needed to keep the pace up.
If your hydraulic equipment operators aren’t comfortable performing advanced hydraulic maintenance, though, or if they don’t have the time, you’ll need a hydraulic equipment expert to fill in the maintenance gaps.
A hydraulic equipment technician can provide on-time preventative maintenance, prompt equipment repairs, additional access to replacement parts and several other services for your hydraulic technology. The goal is to keep your construction machinery in the field and provide value to your organization. An experienced hydraulic technician will help further that goal by maximizing your equipment’s uptime.