By Mark Pszczolkowski, Hydraulics Consultant at CD Industrial Group Inc., www.cdiginc.com
As one who maintains hydraulic systems, I am often asked to give a reason for the performance of a machine. Some examples of questions are;
Why is it running slow?
Why is it running hot?
Why do you think it is not lifting heavy loads?
I will often respond now with my own questions. You know the old saying, if you don’t want to—or can’t—give an answer to a question, then answer with another question. How fast should it run? How hot should it be? How heavy of a load can it lift?
Combine this with a saying I once read; a problem well defined is half solved. Here we move into what I call objective conversation. It is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions, as it considers only facts. I have a much better idea of what I am looking for if you state to me; “the machine is running at 350 rpm but it should be running at 500 rpm.” Heck, I don’t need you to tell me it’s running slow, I can do math!
To put this as a troubleshooting question, you are now asking which components might be contributing to a loss of flow. You see, now we are starting from an objectively defined position. The speed of the machine should be 500 rpm and instead it is now at 350 rpm. I have something to work with.
Over my years as a troubleshooter, a lack of objective clarification has led to many hours of either, excessive time charges, or alternately, unpaid time. Neither of those are optimal.
Life is short and there are better things to do with your time at work than to spend it guessing when troubleshooting. Spend some time with your machine, observing carefully and determining what is normal. Be objective.