Hydraulic pump service
The failure or wear of a hydraulic pump is one of the most common problems plaguing construction machinery. In such a situation, the damaged part must be replaced, which is not that simple. What should you pay attention to during this process?
Replacement of the hydraulic pump due to its wear
The hydraulic pump in a construction machine is most often replaced due to the natural wear of this component. In such a situation, we can invest in a new part or commission the repair of the old pump. This is done by specialized workshops. Let's pay attention to whether the company gives us a warranty for the proper operation of the system after the repair and whether it has the appropriate class of equipment.
During the pump replacement, a detailed inspection of the entire hydraulic system is necessary. We are looking for potential leakage points, we remove all contaminants. Various mechanical elements that, for example, fell out of the pump can be particularly dangerous.
If we forget about them, the system will be damaged even after replacing the pump with a new one. So we clean the pipes, oil tank and of course we replace the oil itself and the filters.
During the installation of a new or refurbished pump, we must ensure cleanliness. Let's not allow any dirt to get into the pipes. In many situations, it is even recommended to replace the hoses with new ones, but let's remember not to leave traces of crimping.
Before the first start of a new or refurbished pump, do not forget about its venting.
Replacement of a pump that has been damaged
If we are replacing a pump due to its failure, we will have more work related to cleaning the system. It is very likely that various mechanical elements or contaminants have been found in the pipes or tank. The entire system must therefore be subjected to thorough flushing. This mainly concerns pipes, radiators, tanks, hydraulic motors, actuators and distributors.
The rest of the activities are similar to those we undertake when replacing a worn pump. However, let's remember that after installing a new device and its short start-up, check carefully whether filters and oil do not collect impurities or - worse - metal filings. If so, we flush the system again.
A properly replaced hydraulic pump should work in the machine without any problems. However, it is worth observing this, at least for the first few hours. If the operator notices that the machine's power has decreased, it will be necessary to take another look at the effectiveness of the pump's operation. This may be a sign that the device is being damaged again - for various reasons. The condition of the oil and filter alone will tell us a lot.
