In hydraulic machinery and equipment, the hydraulic pump is the core element. It is the key to ensure that the entire system operates stably and efficiently as expected. But like all mechanical equipment, hydraulic pumps will inevitably wear out after long-term operation. Each hydraulic pump has a set service life, so what should be used to determine whether the hydraulic pump needs to be replaced?
We can start with the operating status of the hydraulic system. Has the system recently experienced slow operation and declining efficiency? The power transmission of the hydraulic system is completely dependent on the working efficiency of the hydraulic pump. Once the driving force of the actuator is weakened, or the operating speed is significantly reduced, it is likely that the hydraulic pump is approaching the service life limit and needs to be paid attention to.
Abnormal noise monitoring
Be aware of abnormal noises from hydraulic pumps. Normally operating systems are mostly uniformly humming. If there is a knocking sound, grinding sound or abnormal whistling, it is often a warning signal of internal pump failure. This type of noise is usually caused by wear of components such as bearings and gears, which will directly lead to a decrease in pump efficiency.
Leakage problem investigation
There should be no oil leakage from the outside of the hydraulic pump. If you find that there is fluid accumulation or oil dripping under the pump body, you need to pay attention immediately – this is usually a sign of damage to seals, gaskets or internal components. In addition, pumps with case oil drainage need to pay attention to the amount of oil leakage: an increase in the case oil drainage flow of a plunger pump or vane pump may mean that the internal wear is increasing, and the pressure forces the oil to flow through the gap that has expanded due to wear.
System temperature monitoring
Overheating of the hydraulic system may be a sign of pump failure, and high temperature will further damage the entire system. If overheating occurs frequently, check whether the pump body is abnormal. As with the principle of case oil drainage, any flow loss that does not participate in effective work will be converted into heat, exacerbating the system temperature rise.
Abnormal energy consumption warning
When the energy consumption of the hydraulic system suddenly increases (even after debugging, there is no improvement), it may be a sign that the pump cannot maintain hydraulic pressure efficiently. Taking the pressure-compensated pump as an example, if the pump increases the stroke to maintain the flow, although the performance may not be reduced for the time being, it will be accompanied by a double increase in energy consumption and heat generation.
Life cycle management
The service life of the pump and the historical operating conditions are equally critical. Recording the installation date can help predict the service life. Old pumps or pumps that have been running under heavy load for a long time are more likely to fail. It is recommended to avoid sudden downtime through preventive replacement or maintenance. In addition, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance cycle and replacement recommendations. The life prediction and maintenance guide it provides is of great reference value.
Summary
Maintaining a forward-looking investigation of hydraulic system problems can effectively avoid high downtime losses and system damage caused by failures. If you cannot judge the condition of the pump body yourself, you should consult a professional hydraulic technician or engineer to determine whether it needs to be replaced through comprehensive testing.
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