For beginners, getting your head around hydraulics can be confusing. Hydraulics have a vast range of applications in our daily life; industries that use hydraulics include construction, automobile, mining and defense. Hydraulics is an area of civil engineering that deals with fluids and various applications related to it.
Below, we’ve put together four things you need to tell your hydraulic equipment supplier.
What is hydraulics?
A hydraulic system uses compressed fluid to transfer force applied at one point to another point. A hydraulic machine gains controlled motion through the use of a transmitted fluid. There are various components that make up a basic hydraulic system: reservoir, pump, valves, fluid, motor, hose, filter and cylinder.
Four things to tell your hydraulic equipment supplier
When sourcing a piece of hydraulic equipment, it’s important to tell your supplier a few things about the environment the machine will be operating in.
Minimum/maximum ambient temperature
In order to determine the correct hydraulic fluid type, viscosity grade and viscosity index, you’ll need to tell your supplier the minimum and maximum ambient temperature. This also helps to determine whether tank heating is required at minimum ambient temperature, or whether a cooling capacity is required at maximum ambient temperature.
Humidity conditions
If the machine is operating in an environment where humidity levels are high (for example, marine or tropical environments), a moisture absorbing tank breather may be required. Polymeric filters may also be required to limit water content.
Dust levels
Environments with high dirt and dust levels may require contamination exclusion and control. From a sealed and pressurised reservoir, or a vented reservoir with a bladder (creating a barrier between the air in the tank and the oil), to a cylinder-rod wiper seal arrangement, there are plenty of ways to control airborne contamination.
Special conditions
You should also inform your supplier of any special conditions. For example, if the location is hazardous, there is a high pollution spill risk or presence of ignition source (fire risk).
At HP Hydraulics, we’re experts in the design, manufacture and installation of quality hydraulic systems. Based in Hampshire, we’re proud to be one of the leading hydraulics manufacturers across Portsmouth, Southampton and Fareham. For more information, visit our website.