If you own or are renting hydraulic systems or equipment, it’s likely that you already have an idea of the cost involved in replacing or repairing certain parts of the tool. Below is an analysis of both repair and replacement to equip you with the correct information you need to make the right decision.

Repair

From time to time, the hydraulic cylinder might sustain damage leading to premature failure for minor reasons which are easy to fix. Lots of the parts that are manufactured to high standards can survive for years without requiring a full replacement, as only small repairs are necessary to keep the components working. However, it’s important to note that while these components are considered suitable to perform their tasks as required by the manufacturer, any additional stress exerted on them, the cylinders, or the system as a whole is likely to reduce the lifespan of the whole piece of equipment.

As a result, fixing the cylinder may be enough if the damage is not severe. It does not make much sense to spend a fortune on new equipment, without first understanding how the system broke down and which components are damaged. You have to know what the issue is with original cylinder before replacing it. Obviously hydraulic equipment works best with the original components. Therefore, it’s pragmatic for engineers to determine the issues with pieces of equipment and repairing them to address the issue when possible; rather than just replacing a component when broken.

Sometimes the problem is so tiny that a 2-minute repair is enough to correct the issue and get the equipment functioning normally again. On the other hand, a critically damaged hydraulic cylinder may still not work properly even when repaired.

Replacement

Replacements should be resorted to if the repairs are uneconomical or there is a worry about safety.

Sometimes, hydraulic cylinder repair is simply not possible and consequentially, the engineer needs to replace components to completely resolve the problem. If the issue turns out to be a big one and a simple repair is not possible, the whole hydraulic cylinder may need to be replaced. When the majority of components are damaged and the cost of repairing each part individually is more expensive than replacing the entire cylinder, this is especially true. Additionally, some working parts might turn out to be expensive to produce individually, meaning that it is more economically practical to replace the whole piece.

At Hydraflow, we are experts at repairing hydraulic systems. All refurbishment work is done to the highest standard in our state-of-the-art workshops. If it’s uneconomical to fix your hydraulic parts, we’ll let you know. Contact us today for information on maintenance and repair. 

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Activities such as drilling and similar subsea heavy machinery activities were being carried out at depths of up to 200 meters below sea level. Hydraulic systems were used to power hydraulic arms, drilling machines and track drives to name but a few of the machines used in the subsea industry.

Back then, it was quite rare to actually see the machines in action as they were operating at such depths. Consequently, the components were normally quite expensive. Over time, inventions and innovations led to deep sea hydraulics becoming an area that was significantly less expensive to operate in. Repairing and refurbishing hydraulic components has become significantly cheaper and therefore, with hydraulics being so important to the subsea industry, the deep-sea processes are more economically viable.

Today, hydraulics are key in assisting with the finding and extraction of fossil fuels and useful minerals. The machines can be placed deeper, meaning that lower depths can be drilled and operated on using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and subsea crawlers. Depths of up to 6000m can now be reached and materials can be harvested using this new generation of subsea machinery.

The harvesting and processing equipment no longer need to be positioned on a platform or ship. Instead, they can be placed onto the seabed to operate. Hydraulic systems are ideal for drilling and trawling due to their immense power, precision and adaptability.

There is a range of applications that are commonly found in subsea hydraulics including the carrying of huge loads, tools used to build the foundations of marine structures on the seabed and other heavy machinery. An example would be a hydraulic hammer which drives piles when oil drilling.

Remote operated vehicles make it possible to perform seabed test drillings for the oil and gas industry. They can carry out the installation of heavy equipment which protects pipelines and electricity cables from dangers such as earthquakes and strong sea currents. In addition, they can bury the pipelines into the ocean floor to keep them secure and safe from risks.

Hydraflow are experts in repairing damaged hydraulic systems. We will carry out tests which will allow us to see which hydraulic component is damaged and then fix the issues. If it is more economically pragmatic for you to replace the system, we’ll let you know.

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It was a real genius who realised the potential that confined fluids had. In 1648, Blaise Pascal concluded that fluids exerted an equal force in every direction. He claimed that one day, it would be possible to channel the power in the forces of the liquid to our advantage. He was correct. But he probably didn’t predict that hydraulics would one day become one of the most important inventions ever.

About 100 years after Pascal’s tests, Swiss mathematician called Daniel Bernoulli put the theory into practice. He used pressurised water in mills and pumps. Then in 1975, an Englishman called Joseph Bramah patented the first hydraulic press. The foundations of the industrial revolution were in place. It allowed the production of machines to cut or stamp things, as well as cranes and printing presses to name but a few.

Eventually, it was realised that simple H2O wasn’t the best liquid for the hydraulics, and that oil was a far better choice. A non-corrosive, dense oil would be able to perform to a greater degree and create more power, while not corroding the machine. The oil was found to be less susceptible to evaporation and held its temperature more readily than water too.

As time went on, through the industrial revolution all the way to the present day, the use of hydraulics became more and more common and widespread. This meant that innovations in the technology became exponentially faster. New materials were used in new internal designs creating greater forces and generating more power which allowed faster and more impressive production.

Hydraulics can give more than 10 times the power produced by an electric motor meaning it is more effective at lifting weighty objects and forcing things to move. Hydraulics can be controlled safely and precisely too and are closed off which protects workers. In the present day, hydraulic cylinders are used heavily in construction. Workers in mining, drilling, shipping and manufacturing all use tailored hydraulic cylinders to aid them in their jobs.

Hydraflow specialises in production and maintenance of hydraulic cylinders in addition to a range of hydraulic services you might need. Get in touch if you need any new application or need a hydraulics system at a manufacturers price.

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