Hydraulics expert Carl Dyke shares insight on forest harvesting machines and what it takes to cut-to-length. “I grew up in logging. As a little kid, my father and grandfather would take me out to the woods to go timber cruising, which meant walking around and looking at the stands of trees,” said Carl Dyke, hydraulics […]
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Systems thinking and diagnostic skills for today’s hydraulic technicians
It is no secret that hydraulic systems are known for their powerful, positive motion control. And unlike early iterations of hydraulic machines – which offered blunt force using an “all-or-nothing” control system – modern requirements call for very fine motions, repeated, precise positions and smooth acceleration, all while using as little input energy as possible. […]
Telematics offers high-value solutions for industry
Telematics facilitates the exchange of rich data to and from mobile or remote machinery, helping to streamline maintenance and costs. Contributed by Carl Dyke, CD Industrial Group Inc. How can the owner of a fleet of cranes avoid the daily worries about whether the machines are being operated and maintained for safe performance? Is there […]
Hydraulic system contamination: causes and solutions
Overlooking these common causes of hydraulic system contamination could mean catastrophic machine failure. Vigilance is key in maintaining a clean machine. By Carl Dyke. CD Industrial Group Inc. I picture several things when I think of a mobile hydraulic system malfunction: damaged control wiring and connectors a scored valve spool stuck in place a pressure valve […]
Proper hydraulic system maintenance: organize your documentation
If you’re looking to improve your hydraulic system maintenance program, you must begin by organizing your documentation. The experts at CD Industrial Group (CDIG) explained in a recent webinar that they feel there is a documentation crisis at play in so many of the sites they visit around North America. “It’s very hard, we believe, […]
Three key priorities for successful agricultural hydraulic design
Agricultural hydraulic design systems must be energy efficient, easy to operate and maintain, and of course reliable. Contributed by Carl Dyke, CD Industrial Group, Inc. Designers of hydraulic systems for agricultural machines face some difficult challenges. This is especially true for high horsepower tractors with not only steering and brake functions, but where a great […]
Fluid Power Technology Conference: Tips and tricks from a hands-on expert
Carl Dyke will once again be leading five sessions at this year’s Fluid Power Technology Conference at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center. Dyke, a well-respected trainer, consultant and founder of CD Industrial Group, is also a reader favorite as a contributing editor to Fluid Power World. Slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 16 […]
How can you keep your mobile machine running efficiently? Part 2
Using a scientific approach to mobile machine maintenance helps technicians have a better handle on the fundamentals of hydraulic components. By Carl Dyke, CD Industrial Group Inc. Last November, we delved into system-specific maintenance tips to ensure the hydraulics on your mobile machine runs at its highest performing levels. We continue this discussion with a look at more […]
How can you keep your mobile machine running efficiently? Part 1
Learning how to properly maintain your hydraulic system with precision will help support a high-performance, well-functioning machine. By Carl Dyke, Contributing Editor Half of the battle in hydraulic system troubleshooting is knowing exactly what ‘normal’ is. It’s hard to diagnose a component or a section of a system without knowing normal parameters, such as: Speeds Pressure Valve […]
Mobile hydraulics troubleshooting, Pt. 2
Taking a methodical approach is the best way to get off-highway equipment working again, quickly and safely. By Carl Dyke, Contributing Editor In Part 1 of this series, (http://goo.gl/Iq3cKb)we examined how to diagnose a problem, look for simple root causes, and use schematics as guides. Now, let’s get into a real-world example that you could […]
