A Guide to Hydraulic Pumps for Heavy Equipment
Hydraulic pumps are a key component for heavy equipment, enabling a number of their most important functions. Understanding how different types of hydraulic pumps work can help you determine what pumps are installed on your heavy-duty machinery and how to check their performance and maintain them over time. This article will discuss how hydraulic pumps work and their importance for heavy-duty applications, as well as some of the different types of hydraulic pumps that you can expect to find and use day-to-day on your equipment.
How Hydraulic Pumps Work
Hydraulic systems work by using pressurised fluid to multiply the pressure being put onto the system which can generate power to support movement in machines. Hydraulic pumps do this by converting mechanical power into hydraulic energy, which generates enough power to allow them to perform under the pressure of heavy loads, ideal for heavy-duty equipment.
Typically, you can expect your hydraulic pumps to be positive displacement pumps. This means that they keep the delivery of liquid per cycle constant irrespective of changes in pressure, which makes them more consistent and easier to control as pressure from loads shift. Positive displacement pumps can be either fixed or variable depending on the application. Fixed displacement remains constant during each cycle at any given speed, making them ideal in fixed applications. On the other hand, variable displacement can support more dynamic movement and motor functions, such as movement.
Different Types of Hydraulic Pumps
There are a range of different types of hydraulic pumps that your heavy-duty equipment may rely on, but the most common are gear pumps, vane pumps, and piston pumps.
Gear pumps are the most widely available and used due to their straightforward design and ease of maintenance and lower expected costs over time. Thanks to their ease of operation and design, they are ideal for lower operating pressures, and are used when accurate dosing of fluids such as fuels and pilot systems to keep your machine running.
Vane pumps are more suitable for higher pressure applications by maintaining a high and constant fluid flow. This makes them suitable for enabling supercharging, power-steering, hydraulics and other features in heavy-duty vehicles and automobiles.
Piston pumps, such as radial piston pumps, are responsible for enabling clamp hydraulics for your heavy-duty equipment. This is because of the exceptional sealing properties of pistons, which allows the pump to operate under the highest load pressures efficiently and reliably without the risk of fluids leaking.
Why Hydraulic Pumps Are Important for Heavy Duty Equipment
Hydraulic pumps are necessary for all hydraulic systems, which are much more effective than mechanical or electrical systems in heavy-duty applications. This is because hydraulic systems have the capacity to move much heavier loads with greater force whilst being easy to accurately control. They also rely on less parts than other systems, which makes them much easier to service and maintain. The pumps are responsible for supporting these systems to make them more fuel efficient and generate greater force under pressure. It is though vitally important that hydraulic system have clean oil. Regular service intervals and preventative maintenance can ensure long and reliable service.
At Jaytrac, we stock and distribute high quality replacement hydraulic parts for Caterpillar and Komatsu machines, including piston and gear pumps as well as other hydraulics such as hydraulic hoses and cylinders. If you are in need of replacement hydraulic parts for your heavy-duty machinery, get in touch today by sending us an enquiry form or contact us at 01604 491 133 or sales@jaytrac.co.uk.