Drive past any construction site, farm or machine shop and you will see the power of hydraulics at work. From the largest piece of construction equipment to the car jack at your local garage, they all use a hydraulic system—and at the heart of every hydraulic system is the power unit.
The power unit is the driving force of any hydraulic system. Consisting mainly of a motor, a reservoir and a hydraulic pump, the hydraulic power unit has the ability to generate a tremendous amount of power to drive the hydraulic ram. Yet, despite its essential role in the smooth operation of any hydraulic system, the proper maintenance of the power unit is often overlooked.
Power unit repairs can be very costly. Not only is the repair itself expensive, but a power unit failure can set your work projects back by days or even weeks, costing you money. The best way to avoid power unit system failures and expensive hydraulic repairs in Minnesota is to ensure that you keep the individual parts of your hydraulic power unit in good working order. Below are the most essential parts of your hydraulic power unit that should be checked and serviced regularly:
- Filters: The filter keeps the hydraulic fluids in your system clean. Dirty fluids can cause clogs and carry abrasive contaminants that can damage your equipment and cause system failures. To avoid problems, be sure to change your filters regularly. Best practice is to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer on how often the filter should be changed.
- Hoses: The hoses in your system should be checked regularly to ensure that they have the proper tension, diameter and pressure capacity. Over time, hoses can lose their elasticity, causing them not to perform as they should. You should also check your hoses regularly for signs of wear and tear to avoid any potential leaks in the system. Regardless of the appearance of your hoses, you should be replacing them once they reach six years of age.
- Housings: The housings help remove particulates from the oil to ensure clean effluent and protection for all downstream equipment. Dirty housings can interfere with heat transfer, causing problems with oil and fluid temperature control. Be sure to check and clean your housings regularly.
- Fluids: If the hydraulic power unit is the heart of the hydraulic system, than the hydraulic fluid is its lifeblood. To keep your power unit in good repair, you should always make sure that your hydraulic fluid is clean, dry (free of water) and cool.
By keeping the individual parts of your hydraulic power unit well maintained, you can avoid costly repairs and system failures. But if you should find yourself in need of hydraulic repairs in Minnesota, the skilled team at M & M Hydraulic Company is here to help. Keep in mind that our hydraulic repair services are also available in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. For the best hydraulic repairs in Minnesota and across the Midwest, give us a call today!