So-called IFPE years are always new generators in fluid power—and mobile hydraulics in general. And true to form, it’s been an active year, from product introductions to corporate mergers. But what were the most viewed stories posted this year on Mobile Hydraulic Tips? We did some research, and interestingly, they were mostly basics-type features. Here’s the countdown of the top six posts, with links to the original stories:
6. Fluid power drives mega-dozer. Liebherr unveiled the PR 776, its first offering in the 70-ton dozer category. Introduced into the American market in late 2016, it’s reportedly the world’s largest hydrostatically powered crawler tractor.
5. Three key priorities for successful agricultural hydraulic design. The common challenge across the entire spectrum of agricultural machinery is to create a hydraulic system that is energy efficient, easy to operate and maintain, and of course reliable. Partial automation is an absolute minimum necessity for large-scale machines where the operator’s attention can be drawn in so many directions.
Three key priorities for successful agricultural hydraulic design
4. How does a hydraulic accumulator work? Accumulators are pressure vessels that hold hydraulic fluid and a compressible gas, typically nitrogen. The housing or shell is made of materials like steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium and fiber-reinforced composites. Inside, a moveable or flexible barrier—usually a piston or rubber bladder—separates the oil from the gas.
3. What is flow sharing? Flow sharing is most popular in mobile applications, where one or two actuators enjoy high flow rates most of the time, but can reduce that flow appropriately when other circuits are demanding flow as well.
2. What are hydraulic cylinder applications? Hydraulic cylinders are critical aspects of mobile machinery, and not because they’re pretty to look at. Obviously, engineers want to use them in specific applications, so this basics article obviously hit home with many people.
1. How do you safely design and use hydraulic cylinders? This article notes that many of the failures in a hydraulic system show similar symptoms: a gradual or sudden loss of high pressure, resulting in the loss of power or speed in the cylinders. We look at three questions that you have to ask in order to solve most of the issues with hydraulic cylinders.
Thanks for posting the stories. Very informative