Hydraulic Troubleshooting

Benlee

Hydraulic systems can be very simple, such as a hand pump pumping up a small hydraulic jack, or very complex, with several pumps, complex valving, accumulators, and many cylinders and other actuators. Yet, most of the problems encountered in all of these systems are often traced down to a few basic issues. This article will help you to narrow down and solve most hydraulic system problems by focusing in on the most common causes of malfunction and poor performance.

Many problems with hydraulic systems occur on start-up of a new system, after a repair or overhaul, after a new component is added, or when a component is adjusted or some other form of change occurs. In any machine, particularly in hydraulics, any change in one part of the system will affect all the other parts of the total system. This will result in problems that will require trouble shooting.

The points for trouble shooting listed below are combined for both mobile hydraulics driven by an engine and hydraulic systems driven by an electric motor. With this in mind, not all of the trouble shooting suggestions will apply to all systems.

Do not assume any suggestion is just too simple to be the cause. Sometimes the biggest problem on the most complex machine actually has the simplest and most basic cause. Do not dismiss or overlook something because it seems too simple.

Do not assume that another person that you have questioned and has given you an answer to the points below has actually checked for the correct answer or is being totally truthful. They may be mistaken, dismissive, patronizing or embarrassed. Verify the answer for yourself firsthand to be sure.

6 Primary Areas of Troubleshooting Problems in Hydraulics:

A) Noisy Pump or Excessive Pump Vibration

Cavitation caused by air entering pump inlet caused by:

dirty inlet suction strainer – clean or replace
loose connection on suction line or suction strainer – tighten
low hydraulic fluid level – check level, observe level variation through entire machine cycle, add oil if needed
excessive pump speed – check specifications of pump and motor
incorrect hydraulic fluid being used
oil is foaming – low or old oil – replace or add anti-foaming agent
very large volume actuator causing periodic low levels in tank
clogged reservoir air breather vent causing vacuum in tank -replace breather vent filter

Excessive oil viscosity causing cavitation – check viscosity replace as necessary, change with season
Temperature is too low for oil – change oil or add oil heater for cold weather operation
Damaged or Worn Pump – repair or replace, check filters
Misalignment of Pump and Motor – check alignment
Pump and/or Motor Mounts worn or loose – tighten or replace mounts and coupler
Relief Valve Chattering – check setting – may be too low, may need resizing
Relief Valve Operating Continuously- pump flow passing continuously over relief valve back to tank when system not being used – change to tandem center directional control valve or add other unloading method

B) Low or Erratic Pressure Output

Air in System caused by:

actuators need to be bled of air
high point in system needs to be bled of air
pump is cavitating – see point A
air being sucked in through loose fitting or hole in hose

Defective or Worn Pump – repair or replace
Incorrect Pump Speed or Size – check specifications and compatibility of pump and motor – speed, displacement, and power
Incorrect Drive Motor Power Input – check that all electrical power phases are operating – check all fuses and breakers
Defective or Loose Shaft Coupling between Pump and Motor – repair or replace or tighten
Defective or Worn Cylinder or other Actuator – replace seals and/or bearings
Pressure Relief Valve or Pressure Regulating Valve set too low – adjust setting
Pressure Relief Valve or Pressure Regulating Valve is dirty and not seating – clean or repair
Leak in Hydraulic Pressure Line – check all lines, fittings and hoses – tighten or repair

C) No Output Pressure

No Power – check electrical supply to motor, check fuses and breakers, check wire connections, check PLC out puts & solenoids, reset Emergency Stop switches
No or Low Hydraulic Fluid in Reservoir – check level and add as required
Pump is Turning in Wrong Direction – check and correct rotation
Pump or Motor Shaft or Shaft Coupling is Stripped or Broken – check and repair or replace
Pressure Relief Valve Stuck Open – check and adjust setting or repair or replace
Pump Outlet Flow Bypassing Directly to Tank – check for faulty valving or circuit error
Hydraulic Pressure Line is Ruptured or Not Connected – check lines, look for large leaks

D) Hydraulic Cylinder Not Moving

Directional Valve Failure – check power to solenoids, determine if it is shifting, valves may need cleaning or repair, coil or solenoid armature may be burned out, check electrical wires and connections
Insufficient Pressure Supplied – check system pressure – see points B and C above
Hydraulic Line Problem – check for kinked, dented or crushed hoses and tubes, check for damaged fittings
Defective Actuator – check cylinder condition – piston rod bent or cylinder barrel dented causing binding, barrel ID is scored or corroded causing excessive friction, seals worn causing oil bypassing piston
Load Exceeds Capacity of Actuator – check system pressure and size of piston and calculate forces and compare to load, allow for friction, force vector geometry and pressure loss
Hydraulic Circuit Error – valve installed incorrectly, check valve backwards, lines installed incorrectly, breather port on single acting cylinder plugged

E) Hydraulic Cylinder Slow, Shuddering or Erratic

Air in System – bleed air from system, bleed from highest point
Pump is Cavitating – see point A
Pressure Supply is Fluctuating – see point B
Defective Actuator – check cylinder condition – piston rod bent, cylinder barrel dented, barrel ID is scored or corroded, seals worn, oil bypassing piston
Defective or Worn Pump – repair or replace
Hoses are Kinking as Cylinder Moves
Control Valve Failure – valves may need cleaning or repair, coil or solenoid armature may be burned out, check electrical wires and connections
Load Exceeds Capacity of Actuator – check system pressure and size of piston and calculate forces and compare to load, allow for friction, force vector geometry and pressure loss

F) Hydraulic Fluid Overheating

Oil Reservoir Too Small – check tank size versus pump flow – optimum reservoir size is at least 3 times pump gpm without heat exchanger
Oil Level Too Low – check and add as required
Incorrect Fluid – wrong viscosity, change in season – oil not changed with season
Dirty Hydraulic Fluid – check condition, check maintenance records, replace filter cartridges, replace oil with new if necessary
Heat Exchanger Faulty – check if running, clean, check ID of radiator, check temperature switch and wires and connections
Heat Exchanger Turned Off – not switched on for change of season
Hydraulic Line Sizes Too Small – compare line ID with flow capacity chart and actual flow being seen – flow can be much greater than pump flow on return lines
Relief Valve Operating Continuously – pump flow passing continuously over relief valve back to tank when system not being used
System Overload – check system capacity, workload percentage rating versus actual use
Excessive Pump Speed – check specifications of pump and motor to ensure compatibility of speeds

Click here to read more about Logical Troubleshooting in Hydraulic Systems

Benlee

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Hydraulic Troubleshooting