When you look at a hydraulic system you can see that it has the alpha role in a hydraulic machinery set-up. They provide the power to keep machinery moving across many industries such as building, agriculture, marine and of course manufacturing.
To keep these systems at their full capacity for doing the job they are designed to do, regular maintenance pr pre-planned maintenance must be set up.
Hose flushing, testing, and fluid analysis are integral parts of any maintenance plan.
This guide will bring to light the importance of these maintenance practices and how they can help you make your hydraulic system perform even better.
Hose flushing is the process of cleaning out the hoses in a hydraulic system to remove any dirt, debris or contaminants that may have the ability to cause damage or reduce the efficiency of the system.
Flushing the hoses with a suitable fluid or cleaning solution is the best way forward, the type of fluid or cleaning solution used should be compatible with the hoses and other components in the hydraulic system as well. It’s best to follow manufacturers guidelines for certain types of bespoke systems so that flushing is carried out correctly as the last thing you want is for the flushing to have a catastrophic effect.
Never forget the goal is always to make the machinery run at an optimal performance.
Hydraulic hoses can become contaminated, and if they do end up that way severe damage could be the outcome to the hydraulic system, resulting in increased costs and reduced efficiency and maybe even downtime.
The culprits found in the hoses could be any of the following:-
Hose testing is the process of checking hydraulic hoses to make sure that they are operating at it’s best.
Some elements that are checked in this testing process that technicians will look at with precision are hose pressure, flow, and temperature. These need to be working right in order to keep the machines really moving without issue. The goal is to keep the machine in the best possible uptime scenario possible.
Because uptime is so important we want to alleviate the possibility of downtime as a failed hydraulic hose can contribute to this and create expensive repairs. Failed hoses can create multiple issues some seen and unseen and this can lead to further damage and increased costs. This is why we regularly test it’s so important.
We need to test the condition of hydraulic fluid as its the life-blood of the hydraulic system. similar to your body having good blood to get nutrients to your vital organs. The analysis tests for contaminants (particulates), viscosity (the thickness), and acidity levels to make sure that it is in the best possible shape for performing its function. Remember our goal is to prevent system failures and reducing maintenance costs overall.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid can cause significant damage to any hydraulic system so identifying contaminants will indicate as to the systems condition. This process allows technicians to almost predict outcomes and what maintenance is needed to extend the life of the equipment. It also will, increase the performance, and align with regulations in some industries. By regularly performing the analysis, it will align with the over all goal once more which is to keep the machinery moving.
To sum up hose flushing, testing, and fluid analysis should be part of any hydraulic system maintenance plan. Flushing the hoses regularly, testing them for potential issues, and analysing the fluid, keeps the machinery running at optimum levels. If you’re in the hydraulic industry or in the hydraulic services part, you should be doing making this a priority through some kind of plan to keep the ship in order.
I hope this guide helps you understand the importance of hose flushing, testing, and fluid analysis for your hydraulic system. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
