I never thought I’d be writing this article, even if you asked me a year ago. Mobile hydraulic machines are often high-powered beasts with insatiable power demands that traditionally disqualified battery power. However, the proliferation of electric passenger vehicles has funnelled investment dollars into battery technology, which has trickled down into other industries. By removing […]
Engineering Basics
A primer on hydraulic pilot valves
Sometimes valves are actuators, and those actuators need valves. Sounds confusing, I know, but hear me out. With few exceptions, most hydraulic valves have at least some type of behavior that mimics a cylinder. A spool inside of a valve has surfaces that look like an annular piston (Figure 1), and poppets tend to look […]
7 ways to reduce weight on mobile hydraulic machines
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor One of the few disadvantages of hydraulics is the mass added to components capable of withstanding thousands of pounds of pressure. Of course, the raison d’ệtre of hydraulics is the transfer of pressurized fluid to achieve work. But do high-pressure components have to be high mass, especially on mobile machines? […]
4 key considerations when choosing electric motors and equipment
Contributed by Enrique Busquets • Director of Engineering Systems and Components, Bosch Rexroth Fueled by unceasing innovation, electric motors have solidified their position as a catalyst for change, reducing countries’ greenhouse gas emissions (ghg) and lowering total cost of ownership for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles and machinery. The accelerated adoption of electric motors has been […]
Comparing electric versus hydraulic motors
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Comparing electrical with hydraulics is one of my favorite topics to write about. When you study both fields, you quickly realize how much the concepts, mathematics and symbology coincide. However, not all readers share my same enthusiasm for the analogy. Many years ago, one LinkedIn member commented that I was […]
When should you use counterbalance valves?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Counterbalance valves are an ingenious invention used to control runaway loads caused by mass or gravity attempting to push or pull outside of intentional movement. There are many ways to control a load or prevent it from moving, such as flow control valves or pilot-operated check valves. However, a counterbalance […]
How CAN makes mobile hydraulic control more reliable and precise
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the realm of mobile hydraulics, we must prioritize efficiency, reliability, and precision to remain competitive against other technologies. In many cases, hydraulic advancements come from partnerships with competing technologies, and one of the most important in recent years is Controller Area Network (can) networks. CAN networks revolutionize mobile hydraulics […]
When should you use hydrostatic pumps?
The term hydrostatic refers to the fundamental concept we hold dear in fluid power, which is that confined hydraulic fluid under pressure exists in equilibrium and balance. Although hydraulic fluid does no more than hold objects stationary without the active application of force through a pumping device, the concept is entirely different than hydrodynamics, which […]
How do I know I’ve oversized my pump?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Oversizing your hydraulic pump is a relatively common error by beginner fluid power professionals or, more likely, entirely untrained individuals tasked with maintaining machinery. Everyone wears many hats these days, so don’t take it personally if you’ve inherited a role that requires skills above your pay grade. More than once […]
Fluid power at sea
Learn how hydraulics are used in maritime vessels and why hydraulics is the technology of choice. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulics have played a vital role in various industries, and the marine sector is no exception. From small pleasure boats to large ocean liners, hydraulics are extensively used in a wide range of marine applications […]
