In a previous post, I discussed the similitude between electric and hydraulic motivation, and made it clear (I feel) they are actually quite similar in principle. In practice, electric and hydraulic systems differ slightly more, especially when “electronics” are factored in. However, on a larger scale, electric and hydraulic actuators aren’t terribly different either. The […]
How do you specify a hydraulic cylinder?
A hydraulic cylinder is one of the simplest devices you can use to create force this side of hiring a guy (or thirty) to push on stuff. It’s as simple as having something at point A and then moving it to point B. Although I keep using the word simple, there is a little bit […]
Back to school (for hydraulics training)
If you have three or more kids, as I do, you probably relate to the stationary retailer’s commercial depicting elated and frolicking parents dancing around to the Christmas carol, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” (Google that song title + Staples, if you haven’t seen it.) The manufacturing industry typically sees a slowdown […]
We’re not so different, you and I
I’ve written articles regularly about the differences between hydraulics and electrics, but today I’d like to write about what is not different. To be honest, more is similar with the two forms of energy than is different, especially from a physical perspective. If you are an expert in either industry, you already know more about […]
My hydraulics Top 10!
I love hydraulics. I’ll give you a few seconds to get over that shock: three … two … one … okay great. Now that you’re over it, I’m going to tell you why I love hydraulics, and I can think of no better way than to deliver it in a Top Ten List. 10. I […]
What are PTOs/gearboxes
The Power Take-Off, most commonly referred to by its acronym, PTO, is a common form of mechanical power delivery in the mobile machine market. The PTO is a method of transferring high power and torque from the engine (usually via the transmission) of trucks and tractors. In combination with gearboxes and pump mounts, nearly any […]
What is piston rod bar stock?
Hydraulic cylinders are the essence of the fluid power motivation. However, their simplicity often leads us to discount their subtleties of manufacture, often assuming they’re constructed of identical stock. You’d be surprised, then, to discover the devil is in the details, and not all cylinders are fabricated equally. One factor often overlooked is the bar […]
Remove water from hydraulic oil: 3 options to consider
Rain falls on mobile machinery, and unless you clean and garage your front-end loader like you do your hot-rod, your loader will get wet. When your loader gets wet, the opportunity for water to make its way into your hydraulic system exists. Water, especially “free” water not dissolved in the oil, can cause corrosion, modify […]
What is hydraulic fluid?
Hydraulic fluid is the energy transfer medium in all hydraulic systems. However, the job of hydraulic fluid goes beyond simple transmission of power. Although transmitting hydraulic energy is the core purpose of hydraulic fluid, it is useful in four secondary functions—heat transfer, contamination removal, sealing, and lubrication. Hydraulic machines produce a lot of excess heat […]
What are hydraulic cylinders?
What is a hydraulic cylinder? It seems like such an elementary question, especially considering the depth of fluid power related material on the various WTWH and Design World websites. However, as a person whose job deals with fluid power on the daily, even I can forget how important the fundamental lessens in hydraulics are. A […]
