By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Seals are often an afterthought when it comes to designing fluid power systems, which makes sense for the majority of applications where off-the-shelf is good enough. Designers select pumps, valves, and actuators based on criteria like flow rates, valve configurations, and pressure capacities, but most of those … [Read more...] about A designer’s guide to fluid power seals
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When should you completely drain your hydraulic system and why?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you work with a hydraulic technician who services and repairs hydraulics, especially including work on power units, leave this article for a moment and go ask them, "What's the craziest thing you've seen inside an old reservoir?" My own answer isn't so memorable; it's just a half-collapsed suction filter … [Read more...] about When should you completely drain your hydraulic system and why?
Lubrizol launches zinc-free hydraulic additive for enhanced environmental protection
Lubrizol has launched Lubrizol AH933ZF, a zinc-free additive package that enables robust performance and user benefits. Zinc-free hydraulic fluids have been increasingly desirable in recent years as regulators, OEMs and other stakeholders seek to minimize potential disruptions in sensitive environmental applications. Suitable for applications … [Read more...] about Lubrizol launches zinc-free hydraulic additive for enhanced environmental protection
The critical role of filtration in oil & gas operations
Contributed by Sidney Mondin, Regional Manager, Filter Resources – an MCE Company In the oil and gas industry, the integrity and performance of equipment are closely tied to the cleanliness of the fluids and gases that flow through them. From the wellhead to the refinery, contaminants can silently compromise components, shorten equipment … [Read more...] about The critical role of filtration in oil & gas operations
Can I heat my seals to ease installation?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Here at Higginson Equipment, we produce a line of cylinders for the dump truck industry known as EconoMAX. On any given year, we produce between 7,000 and 8,000 of these for tailgate latch, air tarp systems, and tailgate high-lift applications. Each cylinder contains a T-seal for the piston, two end seals for … [Read more...] about Can I heat my seals to ease installation?
Why is hydraulic contamination still an issue?
I've got contamination on the brain. In the past couple of weeks, I have edited several articles focused on the perils of contamination and how to prevent it. In our May issue, we talk about the importance of contamination control in agricultural machinery. We also talk industrial contamination control in our June issue, where we tackle both … [Read more...] about Why is hydraulic contamination still an issue?
Hunting ghosts in your machines with sonar
Air is a troublesome contaminant in hydraulic fluid. Once it enters and becomes entrained, it's a pain to remove. If it goes undetected or unmitigated, it can delay system response, decrease performance, degrade the fluid, and wreak havoc on hydraulic pumps. “It’s not like the bubbles that rise to the surface in your glass of beer. The air … [Read more...] about Hunting ghosts in your machines with sonar
How do you check for hydraulic leaks?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pretty much the only time it’s easy to check for hydraulic leaks is when the power unit and machine are spanking new. The pristine, glossy epoxy paint used on power units makes an excellent canvas for the soft amber sheen of hydraulic oil. And to be fair, testing and startup are the most likely occasions when … [Read more...] about How do you check for hydraulic leaks?
How do seal geometries affect performance?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Let’s start by stating the obvious: seal geometries matter, or the fluid power realm would use only geometrically simple O-rings. The other two critical factors for effective seal performance are polymer composition and a machined groove to call home. However, even considering the latter, a seal geometry of … [Read more...] about How do seal geometries affect performance?
How do you prevent microbes in hydraulic oil?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Microbes aren’t the most common contaminant in hydraulic oil, but they do become a problem when conditions are ripe for their proliferation. Anaerobic bacteria of various forms are the most common to be found within hydraulic fluid, although it’s not unheard of to see fungi (molds and yeasts) in very … [Read more...] about How do you prevent microbes in hydraulic oil?
