Testing hydraulic cylinders is a key way to highlight any problems within your hydraulic systems and nip them in the bud before you are faced with a costly hydraulic cylinder repair.
In this article, we will explain further why testing hydraulic cylinders is so important, what the process of testing your hydraulic cylinder is, and provide details on one of the most useful pieces of equipment for testing hydraulic cylinders: the test bench.
Why Pressure Test A Hydraulic Cylinder?
Testing the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder is a reliable way to check the functionality of the hydraulic system. Lack of pressure is an indication of poor functioning of parts within the system such as faulty or wrongly sized seals, or problems within the housing.
How To Pressure Test A Hydraulic Cylinder
Loss of pressure is a reliable indicator of a leak in a hydraulic system and therefore a loss of power or other indicators of poor functioning.
By regularly testing in the following way, you will get a clear benchmark for what your hydraulic system’s operating parameters are and so will easily spot differences that could indicate faults or failures at early stages before further damage is done to other parts within the system.
Hydraulic engineers usually check this by following these steps:
- Open the service ports on the hydraulic cylinder.
- Fasten the service ports in their up position.
- Replace/refill the hydraulic fluid.
- Connect the valves; ball, directional control and relief to make a test circuit.
- Affix a pressure gauge to each end of the cylinder.
- Remove all the air from the system using the directional control valve.
- This test has to be done mid-stroke so move the piston into the mid-stroke position but only if it is safe to do so.
- Add pressure to the rod side of the hydraulic cylinder.
- Adjust the relief valve settings until the reading appears on the pressure gauge.
- When the rod side is pressurised, close the ball valve and centre the directional control valve.
- Use extreme caution so as not to over-pressurise the cylinder as this can be very dangerous.
- Take a reading of the pressure gauge attached to the piston end.
- Compare the difference between the two readings the ratio between the rod side and the piston side should be 2:1.
What Is A Hydraulic Cylinder Test Bench?
A hydraulic cylinder test bench or test stand is a piece of apparatus that allows hydraulic engineers to replicate what a hydraulic cylinder will go through during its use and report the results of the test.
Its components include a hydraulic pump, lines, fittings and pressure guages as well a hydraulic tank.
Who You Gonna Call?
Due to the hazardous nature of pressurising a hydraulic cylinder to test it, especially if it is faulty, we strongly recommend always using fully trained and qualified hydraulic engineers.
At MCH Hydraulics we offer on-site testing across Derbyshire and the Midlands helping you ensure your hydraulic systems are safe, reliable and effective. We’re waiting for your call.