Back in 1991, the hydraulics company I worked for provided conversion kits to upgrade the hydraulic piston pump on an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) from an obsolete brand to Linde. These kits were intended for in-field replacement, to be used when the existing pump failed. The time came for the first installation when the ROV, deployed on a semi-submersible drilling rig, experienced a catastrophic hydraulic pump failure.
UK North Sea regulations required a seabed survey around the soon-to-be-abandoned well-head before the rig could relocate, a task for the ROV. However, the ROV Supervisor deemed the new pump unfit for installation as supplied, and sent an urgent SOS to the beach. It was Friday afternoon around 3pm when my engineering manager briefed me on the situation. Confident that the kit had everything necessary, he instructed me to assist the rig crew, and my chopper was leaving in an hour.
Arriving at the rig, I was met by the Car Lift Repair Orlando Supervisor. After a brief rig induction, I went straight to work. The first issue was the orientation of the Linde pump’s ports, which differed by 90 degrees from the original pump. I solved this by rotating the pump mounting plate on the submersible electric motor, though this caused a loss of oil that needed replenishment.
Challenges continued throughout the night, including re-bending the stainless steel tube for the load-sensing line, finding an adaptor for the case drain line, and sourcing metric bolts for the pressure hose’s SAE flange. By 4am, it seemed the Supervisor might be right—the original intake line was too short, and the kit didn’t cover it.
In 1991, rig time cost around $50,000 per day. Despite the setbacks, I didn’t give up. I went to the engine room, befriended the 2nd Engineer, and found suitable adaptors to extend the intake line. By dawn, the ROV’s hydraulic system was operational, and the seabed survey was completed just in time. Exhausted but relieved, I returned to Aberdeen by 9am.
From that point on, I became the company’s ‘Go-To-Guy’—the one they relied on when situations were critical. Perhaps you can relate? Maybe you’ve made similar Herculean efforts in your career. Go-To-Guys like us are often undervalued, partly because we undervalue ourselves. It’s exhausting, stressful, and lonely work. After two decades of pulling rabbits out of hats, I now only get involved in other people’s problems for a significant fee.
I know my worth now, and so should you. When prospective Car Lift Repair Orlando clients approach me, I explain that my services are reserved for severe problems. However, if you’re a Go-To-Guy or need one occasionally, you can get my attention more affordably by taking my hydraulics troubleshooting training. This program not only enhances your skills but also provides you with my support, ensuring you’re not alone on that tightrope anymore.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and so is an accurate diagram. It can also be worth a lot of money.
– **Block Diagrams**: These illustrate the components of a hydraulic circuit as blocks connected by lines, indicating connections and/or interactions.
– **Cutaway Diagrams**: These show the internal construction of Car Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic components and their flow paths. They often use colors, shades, or patterns in the lines and passages to effectively illustrate different flow and pressure conditions.
– **Pictorial Diagrams**: These depict a Car Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic circuit’s components and piping arrangement. The components are shown externally and usually resemble their actual shapes and scaled sizes, aiding in recognition and identification.
– **Graphical Diagrams**: These are the shorthand of the fluid power hydraulics industry. They use simple geometric symbols drawn to ANSI or ISO standards to represent hydraulic components, their controls, and connections.
For a Car Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic technician skilled in reading and interpreting them, a graphical circuit diagram or schematic is invaluable in identifying possible causes of a problem. This can save significant time and money during troubleshooting.
Without a hydraulic schematic diagram, a technician must manually trace the actual physical circuit and identify its components to isolate possible causes of the problem. This process can be time-consuming, especially if the Car Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic system is complex.
Even worse, if the hydraulic circuit contains a valve manifold, the manifold may need to be removed and dismantled just to understand its function. Without knowing the function of a component, it is challenging to rule it out as a possible cause of the problem. Schematic diagrams eliminate the need to reverse-engineer the hydraulic system.
I received a reminder notice last week from a company specializing in the proactive maintenance of domestic hot water heaters.
You might wonder how that could be a viable business. The hot water heater in my house, like thousands of others, is a storage type—essentially a gas-heated water tank. To protect the steel tank from corrosion and extend its life, it has a sacrificial anode installed.
I replaced the anode three years ago, and the letter reminded me it’s now due for inspection. Based on past experience, I know the anode will be spent.So, what should I do?
If you’re responsible for maintaining hydraulic equipment, this is a familiar decision: should you spend a modest amount now to prevent a costly disaster later?
In the case of my hot water heater, $150 isn’t a significant expense. Still, it’s tempting to do nothing since replacing the anode won’t improve the heater’s performance—I won’t get a better shower in the morning. But that’s what proactive maintenance is about. It requires accurate thinking followed by appropriate action—or sometimes, intentional inaction.
Ignoring the reminder isn’t an option, so I need to analyze the situation. My brother-in-law, a plumber, advises that replacing the anode every 3 to 4 years should make the water heater last at least 12 years. Without replacing the Car Lift Repair Orlando anode, it could rust out in as little as 6 years. A new unit costs around $1200, not including installation. Murphy’s Law suggests it will fail during the Christmas holidays when my Mother-in-law wants to wash her hair. Plus, finding a plumber at that time will be expensive.