Hydraulic System Maintenance Checklist for 2021

Numerous industries rely on hydraulic systems to get work done and take care of a variety of tasks, from heavy lifting to compacting and pressing. Hydraulic systems contain various parts and components. Just like other types of machinery, the parts and components do wear out and need to be replaced.

When it comes to hydraulic system maintenance, businesses have three different options:
 

Option #1: Reactive Maintenance

Reactive maintenance is where you wait for your hydraulic system to start having problems or until it breaks down before you do anything to fix and repair the system. The problem with this type of maintenance is that, depending on what breaks, your system could be down for several hours to several days or longer.
 
As a result, work comes to a complete halt until you can get the system repaired. In the meantime, you are losing money because your workers are not able to complete their tasks. Therefore, this type of maintenance is often considered the most expensive.
 

Option #2: Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is performing regular maintenance and system checks to help identify potential problems before they occur. When a problem is detected, it is fixed and repaired right away.
 
Taking this approach is often less costly than reactive maintenance since you are not waiting for the hydraulic system to break down. Rather, you are preventing potential problems with hydraulic pumps, motors, cylinders, seals, etc.
 

Option #3: Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance is considered a hybrid version of preventative maintenance. Sensors are used to collect data about the hydraulic system, pumps, motors, and related components. The sensor data is fed through a special software application.
 
When the software application determines something is operating outside of acceptable parameters, it sends an alert that maintenance is required. Using this type of maintenance ensures that system maintenance is completed at the precise moment it’s needed.
 

What Type of Maintenance Is Best?

For the past several years and during 2021, both preventative maintenance and predictive maintenance have demonstrated lower costs than reactive maintenance, although the costs of the sensors and computer applications needed with predictive maintenance are not something that every business can afford.
 
This is why most operations will use preventative maintenance and create preventative maintenance program checklists that detail a wide range of procedures to be performed at set intervals. These same checklists should be used with predictive maintenance programs as well. 
 

Hydraulic System Maintenance Tips

It is essential that you keep a detailed record of hydraulic system maintenance no matter which type of maintenance you use. Essentially, your system records are your maintenance checklists since your maintenance technicians will use the lists to perform maintenance.
 
Additionally, these records can help identify potential problems. Not to mention, you can quickly see what maintenance was performed, when it was performed, who performed it, and what parts and components were replaced.
 

Daily Hydraulic System Maintenance Checklist

• Check the system operator’s log for any service or maintenance requests or problems they noticed during their shift.
• Check for leaks at hose connections and fittings.
• Check the and add fluid if necessary.
• Inspect hoses and connections for signs of cracking and breaking.
• Check and tighten connections, screws, fittings, etc.
• Start the system and listen for strange noises or pressure issues.

 

Weekly Hydraulic System Maintenance Checklist

Your weekly maintenance tasks should include all of the daily maintenance tasks, as well as the following:

• Check the condition of the and look for signs of contamination, water, and aeration.
• Inspect the b for signs of clogs.
• Check the filter and replace if necessary.
• Inspect air filters and replace if necessary.
• Check the operating using to look for potential overheating issues.
• Review and adjust the settings if necessary.
• Inspect using i to check for overheating.
• Review the pressure gauge readings while the system is operating to ensure they are within normal operating parameters.
• While the system is cool, perform an exterior by wiping down all hoses, pipes, connections, fittings, etc. to remove dust, dirt, and other debris.

 

Monthly Hydraulic System Maintenance Checklist

Your monthly maintenance tasks will include all the daily and weekly tasks, as well as these tasks:

• Inspect a sample of the for signs of potential contamination, such as metal shavings, water, or aeration.
• Review the system operating hours to determine if the and filter need to be changed.
• Inspect the couplings on hydraulic pumps, motors, and cylinders.
• Perform a detailed test to check pressure levels, temperature ranges, listen for staring noises, etc.
• Repair and replace hydraulic parts and components based on the number of service hours as needed.
• Inspect seals for signs of excessive wear and friction and replace if necessary.
• Inspect the condition of rods and look for signs of wear, pitting, and corrosion and replace if necessary.

Other Hydraulic System Maintenance Checklists

Besides daily, weekly, and monthly checklists, you should have quarterly and annual checklists with their own detailed list of tasks to be performed. When creating your checklists, it is important to remember that hydraulic fluid and most hydraulic component replacements are based on the number of service hours.
 
For example, if a hydraulic pump is rated to operate for up to 10,000 hours, you would want to consider replacing it at that interval, instead of continuing to use it. Granted, the pump may last several thousand hours more. So, you would want to monitor it closely, or rely on your sensors if you are using predictive maintenance, to let you know when to replace it.
 
By performing regular preventative maintenance and predictive maintenance, you can avoid safety hazards and other potential damages to your hydraulic systems.
 
To find hydraulic motors, pumps, cylinders, and other hydraulic parts and components, please feel free to browse our inventories online or contact White House Products Ltd. at +44 (0) 1475 742500 today!

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