Has your hydraulic system stopped working? Then it is obvious that some issues have occurred. Be it a minor issue or a major one, it is important to troubleshoot it as soon as possible to halt the working process. This article has some important tips to check if your hydraulic system has stopped working. Whether you are an experienced person or just a beginner, these troubleshooting tips will help you immensely.
System Inoperative
First, check whether there is a problem with the system.
If there is insufficient or no oil in the system, then refill it and check for leaks. Leaks can cause significant loss of hydraulic fluid, and so after you refill the system, it is necessary to check for leaks.
A clogged or dirty filter can immensely affect performance. Check if the filter is clogged or dirty. If it is, you must clean it or replace it with a new one.
Next, inspect for any air leaks. Air leaks in the pump suction line can also affect performance. So repair or replace it if needed.
Apart from these, you need to check if there are excessive loads in the units, broken pump drive, worn or dirty pumps. To fix the issues, if needed, replace the defective ones with new ones.
Excessive Noise or Vibration
Excessive noise is another common issue with hydraulic systems.
If the air hydraulic pump is noisy, check whether the oil level is sufficient or the right type of oil is used or not foamy.
If the oil is foamy, it indicates that there is air present in the oil. This foamy thing can lead to cavitation and expensive damage. For both hydraulic motors and pumps, there can be internal issues like misaligned bearings and worn parts. Also, if pipes and pipe clamps aren’t secure properly, then it tends to vibrate.
Erratic Operation of the System
If your system operates erratically, then it means there is
Air in the system, cold oil, dirty or damaged components, or restrictions in filters or lines.
If there is air in the system, check the system’s suction side for leaks and repair it.
If the oil is cold, then give some time for the oil to warm up.
Dirty or damaged components can be repaired or replaced
Restrictions in lines or filters need to be replaced.
System Operates Slowly
If your hydraulic system starts working slower than usual, then it is time to check whether the hydraulic fluid is too thick. This might be due to the cold temperature or when using inappropriate hydraulic fluid. If air is trapped inside the system, it can be a problem as well. If hydraulic components such as motors, pumps, cylinders, and valves get worn out, it will also make your system run slowly.
Overheating Hydraulic Fluid
Overheating in the hydraulic system also leads to major issues. There are many causes for hydraulic fluid heating. It might be due to contaminated hydraulic fluid or if fluid levels are too low. Also, if an oil passes through the relief valve for a long time, the oil gets heated, so the control valve must be set to neutral when it is not in use. Components that are worn out within the system can cause internal leakage and lead to excessive temperature.
Low Viscosity
If you have diagnosed that there is low viscosity in the system, then three things need to be checked. One is to check if the oil has any problem, using the wrong type of hydraulic oil or if there is any water in the hydraulic fluid.
No Fluid Flow
If there is no fluid flow in the hydraulic system, then it will also cause problems. So first analyse where the fluid stops. Once the place is spotted then repair it. The stagnant is caused either when the pump fails to receive the fluid at the inlet or when the fluid fails to exit the outlet. So it is crucial to ensure that the pump rotation is correctly fixed and the directional valves are in the correct position.
Final Words
When an issue has occurred in an air-operated hydraulic foot pump or any hydraulic system, it is essential to gather information about what has happened to know what to do next. We hope the points given in the article will help diagnose the problem. Thanks for scrolling through.