Hydraulics are a marvel of physical science
Through the physical properties of hydraulic fluid, pressure, and application of forces through a controlled system, the leverage of a little bit of effort by an operator can move incredible amounts of weight safely and effectively. But these systems eventually wear out and failures can occur. This is why regular inspection and preventative maintenance are crucial to keeping any hydraulic system in good working condition.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Nobody ever wants their equipment to break down, and preventative maintenance is one of the best ways to avoid disaster. When you are out in the field, the last thing you want is a hydraulic failure. It is an inconvenience that stops all work until your equipment can be repaired or replaced. Regular maintenance can be the first line of defense against worn couplings, hoses, pumps, and identifying which parts are worn or require maintenance.
Out in the field, equipment is also more difficult to work on than in a controlled shop environment. Spilled hydraulic fluid can also pose an expensive environmental hazard, which may result in fines and costs of cleanup in some cases. It is much better to have your equipment inspected in a safe, contained area where proper diagnostics and repairs/replacements can be made with limited hassle or impact.
Health and safety
Failure in hydraulics and machinery also poses many threats to the health and safety of your workers and anyone who might be close to the equipment. When hydraulics fail, the results can be deadly. Thousands of pounds of pressure can result in hose breaches, fittings coming loose and causing injury, or more commonly the failure of the equipment while carrying a load, which has the potential of falling on people or failing to support weight entirely. Keep your equipment safe by checking worn hoses, fittings, and fluid leaks before they can result in bigger problems down the road.
The right equipment for the job
There is no margin for error when it comes to hydraulics. Hoses, fittings, and even fluid are all part of a system which displaces massive amounts of pressure from one area to the next in order to move and hold loads of extreme weight. This is not something you can just eyeball. Your best guess at what fits and what doesn’t could lead to failures. Not only the mess and expense of dropping cargo at weight is something to consider, but also an improperly fitted hose or fitting could result in pressurized hydraulic equipment failing, and possibly injuring or killing its operator or anyone nearby. A jet of hydraulic fluid under pressure can easily cut through skin, causing severe injury.
Our staff is trained in quick, effective, and precise maintenance and replacement of hydraulic equipment, in a shop environment as well as on-site in emergency situations. Preventative maintenance greatly reduces the practice of just using a temporary fix to “limp” something along until it can be fixed properly. As tempting as temporary fixes may be, they may result in damage to the equipment, cargo, or even potential injury and death.
When to call
Hydraulic equipment requires regular preventative maintenance. Regular, daily inspection of fluid levels as well as visibly checking for leaks, worn or damaged hoses and fittings, or contaminated fluid are critical. Depending on the machine hours a piece of equipment is used may exceed annual inspections. In other words, a complete tear down and overhaul of a hydraulic system is recommended at least yearly, but should regular equipment use require it, the hours a machine is used should determine a preventive maintenance schedule.
Contact Custom Hose Tech to schedule a non-emergency machinery inspection today. Our techs are experts at keeping machinery running and working properly. Special labor rates, product discounts, and even free service calls may apply. Let us work with you to keep your hydraulics running safely and efficiently for years to come.
Contact us now to find out how preventative maintenance can benefit your company and your equipment!