The challenges that come with overseeing and maintaining industrial processes may seem to be complicated, but proper preparation can allow you to avoid the most serious breakdowns. If you deal with hydraulic equipment on a daily basis, it's likely that it performs vital functions that would otherwise go unfulfilled, thus raising the stakes of maintenance.
Below, you'll find a guide to some steps you should take in order to maintain your hydraulic equipment. Following these suggestions can help guarantee that you avoid untimely breakdowns, and can put you in a position to secure your production line and guarantee your customers remain satisfied by timely performance.
Thorough Cleaning
To generate maximum power through a hydraulic system, it's necessary to maintain proper lubrication. No matter how much grease you apply to the pistons of a hydraulic pump, it can still be at risk of failure if dirt, dust, and other contaminants infiltrate the pump and create blockages that your system struggles to overcome.
Even though dirt and grime may be difficult to combat in an industrial context, you should be sure to set up regular cleaning that guarantees you can stay ahead of the curve. Even microscopic contamination can be enough to threaten the performance standards of your hydraulic pumps, so professional cleaning services may be necessary.
Temperature Control
The viscosity of hydraulic fluid may change at extremes of the temperature scale, and your mechanical equipment may falter when it runs too hot or too cold. When you combine environmental factors with the effects of friction, temperatures may change wildly in a short amount of time, thus making oversight paramount.
Make sure that you constantly refer to the temperature gauges on your equipment and use that information to monitor any drift toward an extreme. In some cases, infrared thermometers may also be useful, as they can provide a quick and accurate reference to surface temperatures that may not yet have been registered by internal components.
Electrical Backups
If you lose electrical power at the wrong time, your hydraulic pumps might slow to a halt or even potentially lock up. This can cause substantial damage requiring a thorough repair, and is a concern that should be avoided with all practicality. One way to make sure you don't fall into that trap is by securing backup generators that automatically activate in the event of a power failure. This should shield you from those concerns and guarantee you continue to receive the hydraulic power you desire.
For more information, contact a machine shop in your area.
