What are hydraulic tools?
Hydraulic tools are often heavy equipment that transmits high-pressure hydraulic fluid throughout the various hydraulic motors and cylinders. This fluid is controlled automatically or directly by control valves, which are themselves distributed through hoses and tubes.
How do hydraulic tools work?
Here’s a basic idea of a hydraulic system: water in a contained system has pressure put on it from one side. That pressure forces it against a piston on the other side of the container. This transfers the energy into the piston, forcing it upward to lift something. Because the pressure on the water will not let it flow backward, the piston can never move in the opposite way unless that pressure is released. This means that whatever the piston is lifting is secure until the system operator allows it to be released. For example, if the pistons raise the forklift’s prongs, they would remain raised until the hydraulic pressure was released.
What safety precautions do you need to take when using hydraulic tools?
1. You must know the weight of what you intend to lift and choose a ram with at least 20% more capacity. Be aware of possible load shifts requiring more capacity at any particular lifting point.
2. Check each component before you set up your hydraulic system. Do not use damaged or worn components. Turn them in for repair or replacement.
3. Read all warning labels and instructions. Operating instructions must be understood before using the equipment. Never remove labels from equipment. Replace missing, worn, or damaged labels. Always wear safety goggles and protective clothing when using hydraulic equipment.
4. Every jack or ram, whether used individually or in a system, should be completely supported on a solid, firm, non-sliding foundation capable of supporting the load.
5. Only fill pump to recommended level; only fill when the connected cylinder is fully retracted.
6. Do not use extensions or cheater bars on hydraulic jacks or hand pumps to raise a load.
7. The load must be centered on the ram, or equally distributed on multiple rams. Off-center loading can result in the ram slipping out and loss of the load.
8. For multiple ram lifts, you must be able to determine the location and number of lifting points that will allow the load to be evenly distributed to all the rams. This is called load balance. Size, the center of gravity, and load geometry must be considered in order to correctly determine load balance.
9. Place blocking or cribbing under the load as you raise it. Each time you raise it higher, insert more blocking. Position yourself in a manner that will keep you clear of the load, and will not allow your hands or other body parts between the load and the cribbing.
10. Hydraulic rams are not meant to be used as permanent supports but are designed to lift and lower. If you need to hold the load for any length of time, cribbing or Simplex locknut cylinders should be used.
How do you maintain hydraulic tools?
1. Keep them clean.
Always use fiber brushes when cleaning your hydraulic tools—never metal-bristled brushes. Metal can score a piston, creating an area for dirt and other contaminants to collect and migrate into the hydraulic fluid. This increases the chance of compromising your tool’s rings and ball seats as well as the tool pump itself.
• Clean hydraulic heads with non-petroleum solvents whenever possible to reduce contamination of traveling surfaces and hydraulic interfaces.
Not all makes of hydraulic tools have the same type of seals. For example, certain petroleum-based products may negatively affect rubber or neoprene O-rings on pistons and ram followers. In fact, some tool manufacturers will require the use of specific solvents while others will restrict the use of these same solvents.
Non-petroleum-based solvents, however, are safe to use in virtually every application. If you’re unsure about what solvent to use, double-check with your tool manufacturer.
• Clean your hydraulic tool daily when you’re using it in adverse conditions.
Working near saltwater is probably the worst situation. While most hydraulic tool manufacturers test their products in salt-spray chambers during design and certify they can withstand such exposure up to 24 hr or more, it’s still important you clean your tool after each use in such an environment.
Most manufacturers recommend flushing the tool with clean water and wiping it down with a recommended solvent. If you fail to do this, you can expect long-term damage. Also, the “dirty” tools might contaminate other tools stored in your gang box.
Here are some examples of hydraulic tools in the workshop.
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