They are commonly found in hydraulically operated devices such as lift trucks, excavators, conveyor systems, and farm equipment. However, they can also be used in the assembly of car engines or other heavy machinery. There are several types of hydraulic valves, and each type works with different fluids and offers specific functionality.
What Causes Hydraulic Valve Failure?
Valves can get clogged and stop working properly after a while. Therefore, it is best to detect and fix any problems with hydraulic valves as soon as possible before they actually affect you and your equipment in a negative way.
If your valve becomes stuck, it can cause extensive damage to your system by restricting fluid flow. This means that when you use specific equipment in your shop or on-site, there will be delays and problems as a result of a flaw in the overall system. This usually occurs at critical junctures when time is of the essence.
In order to prevent this from happening, you should take extra care of your hydraulic valves. This can be done by inspecting and cleaning them properly on a daily basis or as needed. If there are any burrs, impurities, or other impeding objects in the valves’ passages, these should be removed immediately before they damage your valve.
Some Guidelines for Hydraulic Valve Failure
When learning to detect leaks, it’s very important that a person is familiar and comfortable with the hydraulic equipment they’ll be using. As a general rule, you should first become familiar with your system’s components and how to run them – this gives you an idea of what normal operating pressures are as well as whatever else might cause those pressures to vary.
Particularly with hydraulic valves, it’s important that you always proceed in a certain order. It’s possible to detect leaks by moving the valve handle back and forth, but this can be time-consuming and costly if done too many times – much better to have already found them before they start causing problems.
The following steps don’t apply to all valves, but most hydraulic valves:
Close the valve on a workbench and determine whether it is leaking from any of the inlets or outlets. If for instance, you detect leakage from the outlet then you know that all that needs to be done is to add a new seal on the piston rod.
If the valve is leaking from the inlet, then there are two possible causes. Either it has a bad head gasket or the valve body itself is damaged. The leak will be quite large if it’s coming from the body, but can also be detected even though it’s smaller by turning the handle back and forth. If the valve is leaking from the head gasket it will only leak when the handle is opened or closed, thus no leakage while turning.
If the valve is leaking from both ends then there are two different reasons for this as well. The main reason is that the valves have worn out seats due to overuse. This is to be replaced by a professional. This can also be related to debris in the valve itself forcing its way out, thereby causing the leak. The other reason for this kind of leakage can be that someone has tried to open or close the valve while it was already in the process of doing so (a sure-fire way to break it).
Years of Hydraulic Valve Repair Experience in Melbourne
A number of different valves are used in hydraulic systems, and they all require regular maintenance. If you do not keep up with your yearly inspections and repairs, it can cause your system to malfunction, leading to safety issues. Avoid costly repairs by having your valves checked at least annually.
When things get complicated, calling a professional is always the best option. When it comes to hydraulic valve repair, we are the experts to call. Our expert team at Flotek is here to assist you in resuming operations as soon and safely as possible. We can perform minor repairs such as replacing seals or o-rings to major repairs such as remanufacturing hydraulic components.
Flotek is one of the most reputable providers of hydraulic repair services in Melbourne. Hydraulic valves are responsible for controlling the flow of liquids and gases through pipelines, pumps, and other machinery. They’re essential components that should last many years if properly maintained – but they can wear out prematurely due to corrosion or damage. To help our customers avoid costly downtime, we’ve brought together an experienced team of experts who specialise in repairing damaged valves quickly using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. We’ll get your system up and running again quickly so you can focus on more important things. Call us now for prompt service and dependable workmanship!
To find out more about our valve repairs, contact Flotek today. We proudly serve Melbourne and surrounding areas.
