In operation since 1962, Continental Hydraulics is a manufacturer of hydraulic pumps, valves and power units used in some of the most hostile environments imaginable—most recently 5000-ft. under the sea, to help the BP oil spill effort in the Gulf of Mexico. The company formerly operated as a division of Continental Machine Inc., whose parent […]
Preparing mobile equipment for 2014’s TIER 4 Final Regulations
In 2014, TIER 4 Final Regulations will be in effect, and diesel systems will be required to operate generating near-zero targeted emission levels. This significant reduction will force many mobile equipment manufacturers to fully redesign their systems. And those redesigns can have a large impact on the function of the machine through the drive and […]
Why we won’t kill the Imperial System
Back in grade school, we were told that the Imperial System was a thing of the past, that eventually we’d be living the Metric System life, with all it’s base-10 logic built right in. We’d be just like the rest of the world. But those predictions have proven about as accurate as the flying cars […]
Not fluid power, but some powerful fluids — Hurricane Sandy update
I’m used to writing about fluid power of the motion control variety. But this week, I’m reminded of the unassailable power of even unpressurized water—especially when it decides to come into my finished basement and ruin almost everything. Ah, Hurricane Sandy, you’ve been a maddening thing, even here in Ohio, hundreds of miles from the […]
Safety should be at the forefront of hydraulics
I had a nice chat with Greg Brown of RYCO Hydraulics at MINExpo last month, and it all revolved around safety. Greg was showing me their Crocbite product, an ingenious product for connecting large hoses that are frequently used in longwall mining applications. Instead of the traditional “staples” that connect large hoses, RYCO designed a […]
Obama vs Romney on manufacturing, trade
As a non-partisan service to readers, following are unedited position papers from the Obama and Romney campaign websites on each candidates’ views on manufacturing and trade issues. You may visit the campaign websites yourself at http://www.barackobama.com and http://www.mittromney.com to dig deeper. We welcome any feedback or opinions on this election and what it means to […]
Free webinar—selecting the right components for harsh environments
“Selecting the right components for harsh environments” Tuesday, October 16, 2012 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT Whether you’re dealing with excessive temperatures, corrosives like salt or sand, or need components that can handle frequent wash downs, selecting the right products for the job will help ensure a greater return on your investment. Learn how […]
What is a hydraulic seal?
Sealing is a vital factor in the proper function of hydraulic applications, as leakage from the cylinder or across the piston, along with the ingress of unwanted contaminants, decrease the lifespan and efficiency of the entire application. There are numerous sealing products, technologies and techniques to keep oil in and contaminants out of the hydraulic […]
Fluid power safety products
Safety is a critical aspect to any fluid power system, not just from the basic level of keeping components plumbed properly, but also in overall levels of machine safeguarding. It is critical to evaluate the entire system, including the electrical portion, to minimize exposure to unnecessary risk. Systems are rated based on the weakest link […]
What are hydraulic rotary actuators?
Hydraulic rotary actuators are used for high torque, heavy-duty motion applications. They have high force capabilities, high power-per-unit weight and volume, good mechanical stiffness, and high dynamic response. They provide the heft for lifting, turning, indexing, clamping, mixing, bending, testing, and steering applications among others. Rotary actuators are compact and efficient, and produce high instantaneous […]