Are you still looking for troubleshooting methods for hydraulic pumps, and want to resolve your hydraulic pump problems more efficiently and cost-effectively? This article will give you a detailed introduction to common hydraulic pump problems and how to check and repair them.
What is a Hydraulic Pump?
A hydraulic pump is the core component in a hydraulic system. It can transmit flow through hydraulic motor rotation, converting mechanical energy into liquid pressure energy for use in hydraulic systems. Whether in automobile manufacturing, agricultural machinery production, or lift manufacturing, their hydraulic systems are inseparable from hydraulic pumps.
Common Problems with Hydraulic Pumps
When your hydraulic pump is in operation, some problems may occur that cause the hydraulic system to operate unstably, malfunction, or even shut down.
Common problems are as follows:
- Pressure loss: Wear of pump components, clogged filters, and incorrect pressure settings can cause this problem and seriously affect the operating efficiency of the hydraulic pump.
- Hydraulic pump leakage: Multiple factors can cause pump leakage, like component breakage, seal wear, and loosening of connections and joints. Leakage will result in fluid loss, therefore reducing operational efficiency.
- Noise: Component friction, cavitation, and other factors may all contribute to noise. If not resolved in time, they can lead to more serious consequences.
How to Check a Hydraulic Pump? 
You can use the following three methods to preliminarily check and determine the possible problems with your hydraulic pump.
Tactile Inspection
By touching, you may find that your hydraulic pump’s temperature is too high. This can be caused by polluted hydraulic oil or insufficient lubrication, resulting in increased friction losses during pump operation. What’s more, excessive load on the pump and running at high speed for a long time will also produce a lot of heat and cause the temperature to rise.
Visual Inspection
You need to check if both the hydraulic motor and the pump shaft are operating normally. Then you can observe whether the hydraulic oil is clear and free of contamination. If you find the hydraulic oil is foamy, blackening, or milky, there may be pollution or oxidation. In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether the oil level is higher than the pump suction port, because below the suction inlet will cause air to enter the pump.
Sound Inspection
Listen to see if your hydraulic pump makes any unusual or sharp noises during operation. Usually, abnormal sounds can be caused by component wear, misalignment of parts, or even a clogged filter in the hydraulic pump. Cavitation is also a major factor that results in sharp noises. What’s more, this can damage the pump’s internal components.
Detailed Hydraulic Pump Troubleshooting Steps
Step One: Preliminary Identification of Problems
First, you should preliminarily determine what problem may exist with your hydraulic pump. Through touching, observing, or listening, you can roughly assess the problem and its location.
Step Two: Turn off the System
Before performing any repairs, you must shut down the system and disconnect the power supply to prevent the machine from accidentally starting up and posing a threat to your personal safety.
Step Three: Hydraulic Pump Disassembly
Disassemble your hydraulic pump and inspect if there is any wear in the parts of the pump.
Step Four: Leak Inspection
Inspect your hydraulic pump for component cracks, check seals for wear, and examine connections for looseness.
Step Five: Component Cleaning
You can consult a professional to select the appropriate cleaning agent to clean the components of the hydraulic pump. Most importantly, before you reassemble the pump, every component should be thoroughly dried.
Step Six: Part Replacement
If there are any worn or broken parts, you can replace them. However, the selection and installation of parts must strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions, and meet the requirements of your equipment.
Step Seven: Filter Inspection
Check the filter for blockage or damage, which can seriously affect the cleanliness of the oil and cause a series of problems with the hydraulic pump. If there is any problem, replace it in time.
Step Eight: Cavitation Inspection
Check for cavitation in the hydraulic pump, which may result from multiple causes:
- Low temperature causes high hydraulic oil viscosity, making it difficult to reach the pump
- Filter failure and contamination blockage can also cause cavitation
- The intake line leakage, you can spray oil around the pipe, observe whether it is drawn in to check if it’s this reason.
- Hydraulic pump power is excessive. This will result in cavitation because there is not enough hydraulic oil.
Cavitation can seriously affect the operating efficiency of your hydraulic pump, and the burst bubbles may even damage the components. You can make corresponding adjustments or repairs to your hydraulic pump according to the above situation.
Step Nine: Assembly and Testing
After you have resolved your problem with the hydraulic pump, you can reassemble the pump and try to operate it again. Observe whether there are any other abnormal symptoms, and test whether its performance is normal and stable, and can meet your needs.
Step Ten: Temperature Monitoring
Continuously monitor the temperature during pump operation to see if it is normal. If high temperatures still occur, we recommend you install additional cooling equipment.
Hydraulic Pump Maintenance
Maintenance of the hydraulic pump after troubleshooting is also crucial, which can reduce the occurrence of hydraulic pump problems at a lower cost.
Regular Inspections
Regular inspections enable you to detect potential pump problems early and in time, preventing problems from escalating and minimizing repair costs as much as possible.
Environment Cleanliness
Pollution in the environment is a major cause of pump problems. Keeping your hydraulic pump operating environment clean can greatly reduce the possibility of pump problems and enhance its service life.
Regularly Replace Hydraulic Oil
After a long period of use, there is a high probability that pollutants will appear in the hydraulic oil, causing a series of problems with the pump. You need to choose premium hydraulic oil and regularly replace it to minimize this occurrence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hydraulic pumps are frequently used as core components in many types of machinery, and inevitably, they can experience a range of problems. Understanding these common problems and their troubleshooting methods can help you resolve them promptly and take preventive measures to minimize losses. If you have any other questions about hydraulic pumps, please contact us or visit Target Hydraulics.
FAQ
What Should I Do First When the Hydraulic Pump Malfunctions?
When your hydraulic pump experiences a problem, you should determine the possible location and cause of the problem first, then shut down the system. Before performing any mechanical repairs, ensure the power is disconnected, because this could pose a threat to your personal safety. After that, perform the repair according to normal procedures.
What if the Above Steps Still Cannot Solve My Problem?
If the above steps do not solve your problem or you encounter a more complex problem, you can consult a professional technician. Target Hydraulics has experienced and well-trained professionals who can accurately and quickly identify the problem in your hydraulic pump, allowing you to avoid more serious problems caused by incorrect conduct.
