Hydraulic systems are intricately connected components that are at the heart of modern engineering. The movement and transfer of pressurised fluid has resulted in the easy operation of vehicles like cars, construction vehicles, boats and aeroplanes. Despite these being designed to work easily and without fault, from time to time issues can occur – especially if you use your vehicle often.
With this in mind, to make sure that no accidents occur, make it routine to have your hydraulic equipment regularly serviced and looked after. But how can you discern the professional hydraulic repair companies, and also find one that suits you? To find out more, we have put together a handy guide below illustrating a closer look at different hydraulic parts, as well as the signs of a reputable hydraulic company and how an efficient hydraulic repair service can come to your aid.
From hydraulic hose repair to hydraulic pipe repair, a closer look at different hydraulic equipment
Though hydraulics sound complex to any individual, they are actually relatively straightforward in how they operate, resulting in a dynamic system.
Generally speaking, a standard hydraulic circuit will have hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders which are connected through a series of hoses and pipes. The hydraulic circuit controls both where the fluid flows as well as the pressure of the fluid.
Hydraulic Fluid – Hydraulic fluid is key to the creation of energy and working of the components. The hydraulic fluid used will depend on the creator’s desire for sustainability, biodegradability and other factors. Though the most common fluids used are water, natural oils like rapeseed oil, and specialised fluids containing a range of chemicals for the specific applications, also have antiwear and fire-resistant properties.
Hydraulic Pumps – Hydraulic pumps operate by creating a vacuum at the pump opening which forces the liquid into the pump. Then, this liquid is pushed through the pump and out into the hydraulic system. Hydraulic pumps use the foundations of ‘Pascal’s Law’ which is where any pressure change occurring in a confined incompressible fluid will equally occur in all directions throughout the fluid.
Hydraulic Motors – A hydraulic motor converts hydraulic energy through both pressure and flow into rotational mechanical energy. This comes from the hydraulic pump which pushes the liquid onto the gears of the motor.
Hydraulic Cylinders – a hydraulic cylinder is a cylindrical device that utilises the hydraulic fluid creating energy to move the cylinder in a linear direction which changes the pressure of the fluid.
Hydraulic Valve – The hydraulic valve directs the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic system. There are three different hydraulic valves, each changing the direction of the flow, the pressure of the flow and the flow rate.
Hydraulic Pipes and Hoses – A hydraulic pipe or hose is a specifically designed and manufactured tube that is used to convey the hydraulic fluid amongst the components. These are specially made to be flexible and to withstand corrosion and high pressures.
Signs of a reputable hydraulic company
Now that you are familiar with the relevant components that make up a standard hydraulic system, we have collated together signs that you should look out for when surveying different hydraulic companies within your local area.
Accreditations
An efficient and reputable hydraulic company will make sure that they have relevant and up to date accreditations of their work. Not only will this indicate that their practices are of a high standard, but it also shows that their work has been assessed by a third party organisation.
This can vary from customer services to environmental practises and good team management. Make sure you scour their websites beforehand to see if these accreditations are listed. If not, don’t be afraid to ask about it over email or phone. After all, this will give you peace of mind that they will not only perform the job well, but also that they are complying with high industry standards.
Testimonials
Similarly to accreditations, testimonials are of equal importance to a businesses credentials, simply because they are first-hand experiences of a businesses service. What’s more, many businesses will understand how valuable good testimonials are for attracting future customers.
Similarly to accreditations, peruse their website looking for customer experiences. If you cannot seem to find any, then either check on their social media pages or Google. If this is still fruitless, this may be because they are a new business. So, don’t be afraid to enquire over the phone. Any business will be forthcoming with positive testimonials and if they aren’t, take this as a clear warning sign.
Experience
A reputable hydraulics company will most likely have years of experience. You will want to be assured that you can trust them to quickly repair your hydraulics system so that it will cause minimum disruption to your daily life and won’t break in the future. Similarly to accreditations and testimonials, ask them how much experience they have within the trade.
Emergency repairs
We all know how frustrating it can be when something breaks and it needs to be quickly repaired – especially as an emergency repair can destabilise your entire days plans. From a car breakdown to a commercial vehicle collapse, you need to make sure that, if you suspect it to be a hydraulics problem, it can be seen to quickly. Many reputable companies will have emergency repair hotlines and services so they can diagnose and service your vehicle quickly and efficiently.
Well-priced
Though it can be tempting to choose the cheapest service, this may reflect the service that you will receive. With this in mind, when collecting quotes from a range of hydraulic repair services keep in mind that the more costly quotes may reflect the level of work that needs to be done, as well as a thorough repair. An expert hydraulics company will most likely charge more for their level of skill and expertise. This leads us on to…
Why you should hire an efficient hydraulic repair service
Though, as illustrated above, it may initially seem more costly to hire an expert hydraulics company, it can instead promise a top quality service.
Fast Turnaround
An expert will think quickly on their feet and be well equipped with a range of hydraulic maintenance techniques and equipment – so, if a problem does occur, or you need your hydraulics systems maintained, you can expect that an efficient company will be well practised in providing fast turnarounds.
High-Quality Service
It is no secret that an expert hydraulics company will be able to provide a high-quality service to its clients. This can give you peace of mind that no matter the problem, they will be able to sort it as soon as possible and using high-quality parts.
Specialist Knowledge
An expert hydraulic company will not only have years of experience under their belt, but also specialist knowledge that is a cut above the rest. For instance, even though hydraulics can be simplified, it is a highly complex process that requires sound knowledge of engineering and the different systems that the hydraulics operate in. For instance, hydraulic motors can come in a variety of different sizes with varying quality, precision and torque levels. An expert will be able to quickly discern these from the rest, as well as quickly find the solution to any problems you may be experiencing.
HP Hydraulics: Premium Hydraulic Repair and Services
Here at HP Hydraulics, our team are experienced at hydraulic repair – whether you need cylinders, power packs or compactors servicing or maintained, our experts are on hand to help for both on-site and off-site repairs. We pride ourselves on offering years of experience as well as surpassing industry standards, assuring you that your hydraulics parts are being well cared for.
Our knowledge of vehicles and automobile machinery is stellar, as we can also help with commercial vehicle repair and performing product finishing services. To find out more about us, or to speak with a member of our team, simply contact us today.