If you use many different hydraulic tools to get the job done every day at your company, you likely already know that it's important to keep a close eye on things to ensure you don't have any unexpected downtime due to something breaking down and needing repairs. But if it's been a little bit since your last full checkup, here are some tips to help keep your hydraulics running smoothly and hopefully detect any warning signs of trouble before your equipment needs to be taken to the local hydraulic shop for repair.

Check Your Oil for Signs of Contamination at a Regular Interval

One way to notice if signs of trouble are brewing within your hydraulics is to take a close look at the oil that is running through it. Maybe once a week or so, drain a bit of oil and analyze it for signs of contamination. If there's too much gunk running through the machine, there's a chance something is not as it should be. Your hydraulic oil should also hopefully remain at the same temperature during operation. Periodically get the hydraulics up to speed but then shut it down and measure oil temperature while it's still warm. A major fluctuation is another sign of potential trouble.

Measure and Document Performance Metrics So You Know When a Slowdown is Happening

Beyond the oil, there are a number of other performance indicators to measure. If you are not already doing so, have your employees create a journal where they measure and document different metrics on a regular basis. The speed of the drain flow, the actuator speed, and so on should all be watched closely. A slowdown in performance metrics over time means it might be time for deep cleaning or to take a closer look at refurbishing or repairing a specific part.

Keep a Local Hydraulic Shop in Mind for Maintenance, Refurbishment, and Repair As Needed

If your oil measurements or other performance metrics return a sign of trouble, connect with a local hydraulic shop for assistance. If you are lucky, a simple system-wide cleaning and oil change might restore things to like-new condition. If the problem is worse than that, a professional hydraulic shop might help save you money by refurbishing or replacing only the specific parts that are experiencing trouble, and that's greatly preferable to purchasing new equipment. Contact a hydraulic shop such as Certified Products Inc today to get your equipment back up and running.