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White House Products Ltd - Hydraulic Pump Supplier

 

What to Consider When Building a Mobile Hydraulic Machine


Excavator digging and loading dirt at the construction siteConstruction sites utilise various mobile hydraulic machines and equipment for different functions and tasks. For example, hydraulics greatly assists with moving heavy items and objects from one location to another, removing obstructions, and clearing the site to make it ready for construction.
Some of the more common hydraulic machines used to perform these tasks could include:

  • Cranes
  • Excavators
  • Bulldozers
  • Forklifts
  • Tractors
  • Crushers & Screeners
  • Loaders

It is not uncommon to find sites using multiple hydraulic equipment types and machines, depending on the type of project.

In certain situations, you may need to create your own customised mobile hydraulic equipment and machines using various hydraulic parts.  Designing a bespoke piece of equipment or machine could save money when the end product can meet your needs and complete the desired tasks. At the same time, it costs less than investing in pre-built manufactured machines and equipment.

How to Build a Hydraulic Machine

Whether you opt for manufactured machines or want to create your own customised ones, it is important to carefully consider the steps that go into building your own mobile hydraulic machines.
 

Step 1: Think about what tasks you need to complete.

When thinking about the tasks you need to complete, take note of what types of machines are needed to do each one. Ask yourself if a customised solution could be developed so only a single machine could perform all the required tasks.
 

Step 2: Consider the work environment.

The work environment can mean choosing different hydraulic machines. For example, at a site, where you are tearing down an existing structure and building a new one, there are probably already roads with easy access. On the other hand, if you are developing a new location, access might require heavy-duty equipment to clear out the location first before you can put in roads to get to the actual site.
 

Step 3: Think about the weather conditions.

Depending on the time of the year, you could experience hot summer days or winter snowstorms. You also need to account for rainy and windy conditions that can affect the performance of hydraulic parts and components used in your machines. Furthermore, consider how the hydraulic fluid will perform when used in different temperatures.
 

Step 4: Consider any exposure to submerged water environments.

At some sites, especially near the coast, water can be an issue when digging out a site. Some of your hydraulic equipment may still have to be able to function while under water. Ensure they are properly sealed and well maintained.
 

Step 5: What type of corrosion resistance is required for the machine?

Corrosion can shorten the lifespan of hydraulic parts and components and your machine. You will want to evaluate various types of corrosive-causing agents that will be present at the worksite, such as:
  • Saltwater Pressurised Sprays
  • Chemicals
  • Water and Moisture
  • Cement & lime
  • Sand and dust
To reduce the effects of corrosion, ensure you choose hydraulic machines with corrosion-resistant plated metals or metals treated with corrosion-resistant agents. With the latter, you may need to reapply the corrosion-resistant agents at set maintenance intervals.
 

Step 6: Select the right hydraulic parts and components.

A mobile hydraulic machine you are customising needs to be built using the highest quality of hydraulic parts and components, such as:
  • Hydraulic Motors
  • Hydraulic Pumps
  • Directional control valves
  • Pressure Control Valves
  • Hydraulic cylinders
  • Load Sensing Controls
  • Fixed Displacement and Variable Displacement Pumps
Just keep in mind, with any hydraulic system, eventually parts, pumps, and motors wear out and need to be replaced. Replacing them before they fail translates to less expensive maintenance and repair costs and less downtime.
 

Step 7: How will you transport your hydraulic machine?


Hydraulic machineCertain types of machines are drivable. Others may have to be hauled in on a flatbed or towed. So it is important to consider load restrictions on local roads.
 

Step 8: What documentation will be needed?

Even after designing and customising your hydraulic machine, you need to remember that you and your employees may not always be using it. Therefore, ensure you provide detailed and accurate documentation on proper machine safety and operation.
 

Step 9: Always test the machine at various stages of development.

Conduct tests of any customised hydraulic machine during its development. Catching mistakes early on will be far less expensive to correct and fix than waiting until it is  complete.
Part of the testing process should involve running various test simulations of the machine controls, work environment, and conditions where it will be used.
 

Customise Your Own Hydraulic Machine Today

Should you decide to customise a hydraulic machine, White House Products, Ltd. is here to help. We provide access to all the hydraulic parts and components you require. We can even custom-build parts to your exact specifications. For further information, contact us at +44 (0) 1475 742500 today.
 

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