Hydraulic engineers and designers are continuously trying to get more for less, and as such, hydraulic circuits are becoming more compact, efficient and flexible. To be competitive, machines are being produced with as much functionality as possible, which can increase complexity. Hydraulic circuits can be packed with control valves to achieve this increased functionality, but […]
A primer on hydraulic hose construction
Hydraulic hose is one of the least considered components of a high-pressure fluid power system; however, its habit of being overlooked does not reduce its importance. Any machine with actuators attached to moving segments requires flexible plumbing, and that plumbing is hydraulic hose. Hydraulic hose has come a long way with regards to pressure limit […]
What do you know about hydraulic filter media?
If you’re not familiar with the basics of hydraulic filtration, just wait a week. A week is all it takes to be bombarded by blogs, articles and advertising on the importance of hydraulic filtration—and rightfully so, as it’s the most critical consideration you can make if you’re serious about reliability. I’m guilty of lecturing readers […]
Hydraulic system: Top five errors
Hydraulics is easy to get wrong. In fact, I’d say there are more ways to screw up in hydraulics than there are to get it right. Not everyone finds fluid power concepts to be intuitive, so without proper education and training, mistakes, oversights and misconceptions occur all the time. I’d like to save you at […]
What is a hydraulic motor?
I’ve asked similar questions, “what is a hydraulic cylinder,” and “what is a hydraulic pump,” so I thought I’d add another query to the list, and ask “what is a hydraulic motor?” Just as with the previous two articles, this may seem like an elementary question, especially if you’re a fluid power professional. For me […]
9 things they never taught us in college
Colleges and universities drape the cities of our planet, and they provide a solid foundation of mathematics, communications, processes and engineering to those entering (or already in) the field of fluid power. If you have a degree in mechanical engineering, for example, I can assume your fundamental understanding of math, physics, material properties and drafting […]
What is a hydraulic pump?
It seems like such a basic question to ask, but unfortunately, many who even work in this industry do not know the function of a hydraulic pump. When I was first taught about the function of a hydraulic pump, I was told its only job was to provide flow. I was also told that any […]
5 tips for yearly maintenance
Well, we made it through another year. I’m not sure what else we could have done, since doomsday theories never seem to pan out. This means your hydraulic machines are still humming away as you go through your work day to achieve the status quo. To keep your machines—whether they be tractors, excavators or even […]
Tis the Season
If you are employed with a manufacturing facility, then ‘tis the season for visits from salespersons, who bring with them their sacks full of treats; cookies, chocolates, crackers, or if you’re lucky, some of old grampa’s cough medicine in a 26 oz bottle. Whether you consider them generally annoying or essential to business, the salesperson […]
Environmental considerations for fluid power system design
I have been designing and selling fluid power systems eight years, and not once has a customer ever asked for environmental friendliness to be the first consideration … nor the second, nor the third … in fact, it’s never been a requested consideration. My eight years in the industry pales compared to many of you […]
