Why Choose Hydraulics?

Hydraulic power tools offer speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency, making them an excellent choice for demanding tasks. When you activate a hydraulic breaker, you immediately feel its powerful energy transfer. A 9-horsepower hydraulic power pack can deliver the same force as a 20-horsepower diesel compressor engine.

Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic systems operate in a sealed loop, preventing dirt and moisture from entering, which significantly boosts tool durability and reliability. With minimal moving parts and robust construction, hydraulic tools require little maintenance and are always ready when needed.

Designed for tough environments, our hydraulic power packs are compact enough to fit in a standard van, easy to transport, and can be handled by just two people. This portability makes them ideal for professionals who need reliable power on the go, without relying on external power sources.

Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic tools are also highly versatile. They can be connected to a variety of power sources, including excavators, trucks, skid-steers, and tractors, making them perfect for short-term projects like fencing or breaking pavement for cable or pipe installation. Plus, compared to a compressor and breaker setup, hydraulic packages can cut operational costs by up to 85%.

Hydraulic Technology FAQs:

– How does a hydraulic system generate power?  

  Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid, controlled by valves and cylinders, to produce linear or rotary force that powers pistons or motors.

  The closed-loop design ensures regulated flow and pressure, allowing tools to maintain steady power despite changing loads.

  Cold temperatures can thicken hydraulic fluids, reducing flow, while heat can cause seals to degrade. Using specialized fluids and temperature-resistant seals helps combat these issues.

  Specially formulated hydraulic oils are used, selected for their viscosity, lubricity, and resistance to oxidation and corrosion.

– How does fluid contamination affect performance?  

  Contaminants like dirt or water can damage internal components, leading to reduced efficiency or equipment failure. Regular fluid checks and proper filtration help prevent this.

– How can I prevent hydraulic fluid contamination in harsh conditions?  

  The sealed, closed-loop design of Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic systems minimizes contamination risks when tools are properly maintained.

– What safety features are built into hydraulic systems?  

  Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Safety mechanisms like pressure relief valves, burst discs, and emergency shut-off switches prevent over-pressurization and leaks. Quick-release couplings and hoses also reduce fluid loss risks.

  Cavitation happens when vapor bubbles form and collapse in the fluid due to pressure changes, potentially damaging components. Proper maintenance and pressure regulation can prevent this.

– How do hydraulic power packs work with multiple tools?  

  A hydraulic power pack can supply pressurized fluid to multiple tools as long as each tool’s pressure and flow requirements are met.

– How long can connection hoses be?  

  Shorter hoses are recommended for optimal performance, but we offer 6- and 10-meter hoses. Our products can handle longer hoses due to high-quality seals designed for higher pressures.

Hydraulic oil is incredibly efficient at performing heavy-duty work, but without a safety relief valve, it can cause significant damage to pumps, motors, hoses, and fittings. Every hydraulic system should have at least one, and ideally two, relief valves: a primary valve to regulate system pressure and a secondary valve as a backup. The primary relief prevents the system from exceeding a set pressure, while the backup relief is usually set 200-300 psi higher to activate if the primary valve fails.

Common Scenario of Relief Valve Failure  

In mobile Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic systems, control valves often have built-in pressure reliefs for either individual operating stations or the end stations, allowing customized pressure settings for different functions. For instance, in a track-driven excavator, the system’s pump may generate up to 5,000 psi, but the relief valve limits it to 3,500 psi. The valves operate various components like boom arms and motors, which control the tracks and turntable.

If a cylinder seal fails, debris can clog the hydraulic valve, preventing the relief valve from opening. When this happens, the pump can reach full pressure, exceeding the hose’s rating, potentially causing a rupture. This could result in hydraulic fluid spraying out, which is not only a hazard but can lead to injury and equipment downtime.

Consequences of Failure  

A hydraulic failure like this would require several hours to clean up, repair the damaged connection, and, if injuries occur, allow time for recovery. Downtime leads to numerous questions, such as how quickly the issue will be diagnosed, whether the valve or cylinder seal needs replacing, and how much the overall repair and downtime will cost the company.

Preventing Relief Valve Failures  

A secondary Automotive Lift Repair Orlando safety relief valve, coupled with a pressure sensor or over-pressure warning device, could have prevented such a failure. If the primary relief valve fails, the secondary valve limits the system to slightly higher than the working pressure, preventing component damage. In this case, the system might only reach 3,700 or 3,800 psi, avoiding catastrophic failure. Operators would likely notice a change in performance, allowing for timely maintenance without leaks or injuries.

Installing a secondary relief valve is straightforward—simply tee it into the pressure line, with a return line leading to the reservoir. While adding a pressure gauge is optional, it can be helpful. A few hoses and fittings can save significant costs in repairs and downtime. Additionally, operating above the relief valve pressure generates heat, so ensure the relief valve is sized appropriately to handle the system’s flow. The secondary valve can be smaller since it only operates in emergencies, but it must still handle the full pump flow.

Choosing the Right Relief Valve  

Relief valves come in various designs, including spring-operated valves where a ball seals a passage, and adjusting the spring pressure determines the valve’s opening pressure. Direct-acting valves respond to system pressure but can experience bounce due to direct flow path interaction. Pilot-operated valves, on the other hand, use a smaller operating surface to control a secondary flow path, acting as a buffer against system shocks. 

Less Energy & Downtime
Maximizing efficiency is the key to achieving more with less, yet traditional hydraulic systems weren’t originally designed with energy efficiency in mind. Many systems use fixed-speed electric motors or fixed displacement pumps, meaning the motor runs at full speed even when it’s not needed. As a result, 20-80% of the machine’s power is wasted, with unused energy converting to heat, which requires even more energy to cool. This constant operation at maximum speed also accelerates wear on components like pumps.