Hydraulic Pumps: Understanding the Basics

Hydraulic pumps are primarily used to transfer power to an actuator to help the machine perform functions such as lifting, lowering, opening, closing, or rotating components. Hydraulic pumps come in a wide range of capacities. In fact, it is sometimes difficult to ascertain which pump is hydraulic and which is not. Here are a few things that you ought to know about hydraulic pumps.

Hydraulic pump types:

The different types of hydraulic pumps include; centrifugal and positive displacement. In the former, the flow of catalytic liquid depends on speed and pressure, while the former depends on speed and displacement and is independent of pressure.

How Hydraulic pumps work:

The main job of a hydraulic pump is to create flow in a hydraulic system; the amount of flow generated depends on the size and speed of the pump. As a result of this flow, pressure is created which helps to operate the system. A simple hydraulic pump consists of two pistons (contained within cylinders) which are filled with oil and connected to each other with a pipe. When downward pressure is applied on one piston the force passes on to the next piston through the oil that is filled in the pipe. Sometimes force is substituted for distance.

How to buy:

The job required to be performed shall determine the right type of pump to buy. Usually, these range from 100 psi to 75000 psi and differ in terms of their ability to boost pressure. When required for machine tooling, external gear pumps are beneficial, but if you need them for handling food related equipments, lobe pumps are a good choice. Your choice of pumps also depends on whether you need to use them intermittently or constantly.

Common mistakes when using hydraulic pumps:

Oil within the pump has to be changed only when the oil gets degraded or when it is depleted. This can be done by conducting periodic analysis of the oil. When changing hydraulic filters, make sure that you change only when the filter’s dirt holding capacity is used up, rather than changing them according to schedule. When you change early, you are wasting money because the capacity is not used to the optimum. On the other hand, when you change late, the life of the components inside the pump is greatly reduced. Do not allow the pump to be overheated. When overheating occurs, components such as seals and hoses are damaged. You will also have to make sure to use the right quality of oil so as to positively influence machine performance and life.

Unwin Hydraulic Engineering is a premium supplier of all types of pumps including gear pumps, piston pumps, rexroth pumps and hydraulic pumps.