Lighting Tower Hydraulic Power Unit – A Complete Buying Guide

At Target Hydraulics, we customize hydraulic power units to meet the dynamic and specific needs in the market.

Our latest innovation is the lighting tower hydraulic power unit. This hydraulic power unit offers practicality and convenience in various industries, including large outdoor events, mining, and construction sites.

Therefore, before you invest in the equipment, here are important facts to note:

What is a Lighting Tower Hydraulic Power Unit?

These are self-contained systems that use hydraulic fluid to extend or lower the telescopic mast in portable lighting towers. In most cases, you will find people referring to these systems as a hydraulic light tower.

However, a hydraulic power unit is one of the many components that make up a portable hydraulic light tower system.

Our lighting tower hydraulic power units come in different hydraulic lifting capacities, which vary depending on the load and height. For instance, Target Hydraulic will design a system based on the number of LED flood lights and light tower height (8 to 10 meters).

Working Principle

The working principle of hydraulic power units for lifting light towers relies on Pascal’s law. It is from this that we determine the hydraulic power unit’s lifting power.

But, to understand how the hydraulic light tower lifting system works, it is important to know its key components and their functions.

• Hydraulic pump – Pressurizes fluid from reservoir, thereby converting mechanical energy into fluid energy.
• Filters – Remove contaminants in hydraulic fluid.
• Reservoir tank – Stores hydraulic fluid, while also cooling and removing contaminants before fluid is recirculated into the system.
• Hydraulic cylinder – It is the hydraulic actuator that raises or lowers the light mast. To achieve this, the hydraulic pump directs the fluid into this telescopic cylinder.
• Hydraulic valves – Directional flow valves lift or lower the hydraulic cylinder while pressure relief valves release excess hydraulic fluid. By releasing excess fluid back to the reservoir, itprevents over-pressurization. Also, there is aflow control valve that controls the speed of the light mast.

Apart from these, we have hosesfor hydraulic fluid to flow, and other support accessories.

With all these in mind,

Let’s summarize how the lighting tower hydraulic power unit works:

· Raising the Light Mast or Light Tower

Once you press the lift function or start button, fluid flows from the reservoir and the pump directs it into the hydraulic cylinder. With the help of a directional control valve, the cylinder actuates the piston rod that raises the light tower.

· Lowering the Light Mast or Light Tower

Next, you will press the lower function button or retract mast button. This action reverses the flow of hydraulic fluid back to the reservoir cylinder, hence it will lower the lighting tower.

Using the control valve, the unit will release the pressurized hydraulic fluid. As a result, the weight of the hydraulic light tower will force the piston rod to retract.

Usually, this is a slow a controlled process to prevent the light tower from free-falling.

Types of Lighting Hydraulic Power Units

Most hydraulic power units for lighting towers have the same working principle. However, in most cases, you will find slight variations when it comes to configuration and power source.

Some of the most common designs in the market today are:

· Horizontal Lighting Tower Hydraulic Unit

It is a stable design, which is perfect for uneven terrain. As the name suggests, this unit is in a horizontal position, and it should lift the mast from the horizontal to the vertical position. Once in vertical position, you can raise or lower the lighting tower.

· Vertical Lighting Tower Hydraulic Unit

Vertical configuration fits where there is limited space. It raises or lowers the light mast from the vertical position.

· Hybrid Solar Lighting Tower Hydraulic Unit

It is a robust system that may use solar energy, diesel generators, or batteries to power a hydraulic pump. For situations where power supply or solar energy is unpredictable, always go for a hybrid system. However, the lighting tower hydraulic power unit price for these systems is always higher.

· AC Lighting Tower Hydraulic Unit

These systems are suitable where a power grid connection is accessible. You will use the alternating current to power the hydraulic pump. Therefore, the system should have an AC electric motor.

· Diesel Tower Hydraulic Unit

A diesel engine drives the hydraulic pump, thereby lifting or lowering the light tower. It is common in most mobile lighting towers.

· DC Lighting Tower Hydraulic Unit

These systems use DC electric motors,which are powered by batteries. You will find these power units in small systems commonly known as portable light towers.

What to Look for in a Hydraulic Power Unit for Lighting Towers

Lighting tower hydraulic power units come in many configurations for unique application requirements. However, certain specifications determine whether the equipment will serve the intended purpose or not.

• Pressure and flow rate – Determines the lighting mast lifting speed and force.
• Power source – How you will power the motor to energize the hydraulic pump, which plays an important role in lifting or lowering the mast lighting tower.
• Reservoir capacity – Holds sufficient volume of hydraulic fluid to optimally raise or lower the lighting tower.
• Control system – Controls the lifting, lowering, and on/off of the hydraulic power unit for the lighting tower.
• Dimensions and weight – The overall weight and compact design are used to determine portability.
• Standard and compliance– The enclosure for the hydraulic power units and parts must comply with safety standards. These may include the CE, IP, ISO 4413, ISO 12100:2010, and NFPA Standards, among others
• Safety features – They may vary with design, but basic safety features are auto-lowering systems, check valves, pressure relief valves, etc.

Applications of Lighting Tower Hydraulic Power Unit

A hydraulic power unit for lighting towers plays a critical role in:

• Construction sites
• Mining sites
• Natural disaster and rescue operations
• Large events such as sports
• Military bases
• Remote infrastructure, projects, etc.

Conclusion

Hydraulic power units provide a safe and efficient way to raise or lower large mobile lighting towers.However, to choose the right power units, you must specify the unique lifting requirements in your projects. For instance, whether your LED light hydraulic tower has two or more flood lights.

At Target Hydraulics,we customize the power unit to fit your hydraulic lifting needs – request a quote now.