Maintaining The Hydraulic Hoses On Your Construction Equipment
Most construction equipment uses a hydraulic system and hoses to operate many parts of the machine. The condition of the hydraulic hoses is essential, and maintaining them properly is often the difference between a machine that is working and one that is sidelined for repairs.
Regular Inspections
It is essential that you know the condition of the machines you are operating. Taking some time to go over the equipment and check all the systems is vital, but inspecting the hydraulic hoses and fittings on the machine should be part of the daily start-up for the equipment.
The inspection does not require the operator to spend hours looking for leaks; it can be a general visual inspection of the hydraulic hoses on the machine to look for leaks or damage that were not there the day before. While the hydraulic system is not pressurized when the equipment is parked, the residual pressure in the system may cause a fitting or hose to seep while the machine is not in use.
Any new leaks that are found when the operator is looking over the machine need to be noted so an equipment mechanic can deal with them during machine maintenance. Severe leaks may mean taking the equipment down for repairs, but it is better to fix a damaged hose than to have a failure while the machine is in use.
Parts And Repairs
When a hydraulic hose needs repair, the first thing you need to do is find the right replacement hose for the equipment. Replacement hydraulic hoses for specific machinery are typically available directly from the dealership or parts supplier dealing with that brand.
The part number for the hose is stamped on the outer jacket, but if you can't see the number due to wear, you can call the parts supplier and explain which hose it is, and they can look up the part for you. Once you have the correct hydraulic hose for the machine, a heavy equipment mechanic can change the hose for you.
Finding a repair service that will come to your job site can speed up the repair, and avoid the cost and scheduling hassles that come with moving large machines to the repair facility. Replacing hydraulic hoses on large equipment typically means draining the oil from the system, so consider taking the opportunity to change the oil and any filters in the system while you have the machine down for repair.
Once the hydraulic hose is replaced, and the system refilled with oil, the tech will bleed all the air out of the system so that it works correctly. If the leak is fixed and the system works smoothly, the machine can resume normal work.
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