A hydraulic power pack is arguably the most important piece of equipment for your business, certainly for any business which requires any regular or heavy lifting. From construction, farming, agriculture, and fishing industries to logistics, healthcare, entertainment, and retail. Whether you are moving machinery, stock, or people a hydraulic system makes it possible.
Without power packs, hydraulic systems and machinery simply cannot do the job they are designed for. This is because hydraulic machines rarely, and usually only in industrial settings such as factories, have an in-built power supply.
Hydraulic power packs are self-contained units that can vary widely in size, shape, and manoeuvrability. Aside from these differences, they are basically the same, with the same integral components.
Hydraulic Power Packs Size & Design
The size and design of hydraulic power packs differ according to the machines they are used with. Some are large, so large they are effectively immovable. Others are so small they can be easily transported in a van or even a car. Some, such as those used in health care and to aid mobility are small enough to be completely portable.
The size of the individual components such as the motor and reservoir affect the pump force and pressure the pack can extort. It is essential to use the right size and design power pack for the machines that it will be used with.
Hydraulic Power Packs Components
Whatever the size or design of the hydraulic power pack, they are made up of the same four components.
Hydraulic Reservoir
This component holds the hydraulic fluid.
Regulator
This manages and regulates the amount of pressure delivered to the equipment or machine it is connected to.
Pressure Relief & Supply Lines
The supply lines deliver hydraulic fluid to the pump from the reservoir. Pressure relief lines control the direction of flow as well as relieve the pressure between the pump and the valves.
Motor & Pump
The hydraulic pump creates a vacuum and uses atmospheric pressure to transfer the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the inlet line to the pump. The hydraulic fluid then goes from the pump to the pump outlet and into the hydraulic system. The motor component powers the pump.
Coolers & Heaters
To keep the hydraulic system within safe and efficient operational parameters coolers and/or heaters can be added.
In colder climates, including UK winters, the hydraulic oil can become more highly viscous. This means it is thicker, or less fluid, which can make your hydraulic system sluggish and less efficient.
At the other end of the spectrum when hydraulic fluid becomes too warm, there is a much higher risk of wear and damage to the component parts of your hydraulic system.
Filters
Usually situated between the pump and the other hydraulic components the filter prevents any dirt, water or other contaminants from entering the hydraulic system.
Power Unit Controllers
These can be attached to the unit or remote and provide the user with the means to control and monitor the hydraulic system.
Hydraulic Power Packs Function
The function of a hydraulic power pack is to deliver power to a hydraulic machine. The power pack is connected to the machine with valves. The greater variety of valves the power pack has, the greater the variety of machines it can be used in conjunction with.
In order to function safely and effectively, the right power pack and the right valve must be used for the right machine.\
How Hydraulic Power Packs Work
Hydraulic systems work by transferring energy. The fluid power create by putting fluid under pressure is turned by an actuator into mechanical power.\
However, to start the process there must be power placed onto the fluid to create the pressure which can then be converted into mechanical energy. This power comes from power packs which contain the motor/pump which moves and pressurises the hydraulic fluid.
How To Select Hydraulic Power Packs
First of all it’s important to think about the motor/pump. There are three main considerations when identifying what kind of power pack you need.
These are:
- Speed.
- Power capacity.
- Torque.
Matching these with the requirements of the job and both the size and capability of the rest of the hydraulic system will help to ensure a more efficient hydraulic system altogether.
Motor Size
It’s important to note that even though a hydraulic system will need different levels of power at different points in the hydraulic cycle the power or torque of the motor must be big enough to meet the required torque at the highest level required.
Electric Motor Power
A key characteristic of an electric motor is that the initial torque is higher than the running torque.
Petrol and Diesel Motor Power
Compared to electric motors diesel and petrol motors provide a steadier, more even torque. This is the same at both high and low speeds.
To get the required torque for a hydraulic power unit, a petrol or diesel motor ususally needs over 2x greater horsepower (overall speed and power) than an electric motor.
Hydraulic Power Packs Maintenance
To keep your hydraulic power pack working efficiently and safely, regular maintenance checks are required. They should be incorporated into your risk assessments and your daily, weekly, and monthly health and safety checks.
Simple, daily visual checks should be undertaken to ensure the structural integrity of tubing, that connections are secure, and to look for signs of rust and erosion, particularly around the reservoir. A hydraulic engineer can advise you on the frequency and types of other maintenance checks as well as the testing and changing of the hydraulic fluid when required.
Conclusion
Hydraulic power packs give your business a lift, quite literally, whatever industry you are in.
At MCH Hydraulics we not only give you expert advice when it comes to choosing and maintaining your hydraulic systems and hydraulic power packs. We also create bespoke power packs assembled by our expert team of engineers from the highest quality parts.
The bespoke and high quality means that your hydraulic system will last longer and be more efficient.
For more information, help, and advice on purchasing or maintaining your hydraulic power packs contact us at MCH Hydraulics today.