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.
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.
Hydraulic Power Packs Maintenance
In order 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. For more information, help, and advice on purchasing or maintaining your hydraulic power packs contact us at MCH Hydraulics today.