Hydraulic Press Maintenance

Hydraulic presses are large, powerful machines that need regular upkeep in order to remain effective. Without it, these presses could malfunction, injure workers and create a major safety risk.

For proper operation of a press, its hydraulic fluid must remain within 180 degrees Fahrenheit of the cylinder. Damaged or overheated fluid will result in leaks and inefficient performance.

Check the Hydraulic Oil

Hydraulic presses require the right type of oil. Hydraulic oils typically consist of high-grade base oil and specially blended additive packages.

Oil selection is essential for optimal performance and to minimize maintenance downtime, repairs and part replacements. It also keeps your press running optimally by transferring power through its system.

Additionally, its anti-wear properties protect your equipment. This makes it suitable for use in a wide range of applications.

If your hydraulic press is running slowly, it could be due to a lack of oil, hoses or connections that are clogged with contaminants, broken valves, pumps and cylinders. To resolve the problem, check the hydraulic fluid levels regularly and add new oil when needed.

A hydraulic press with dirty oil will not only perform poorly and wear prematurely, but it may also produce a product of lower quality.

Check the Pressure

Hydraulic presses are the backbone of your shop and, unfortunately, they're subject to a lot of abuse and wear and tear. While they remain reliable tools of the trade, if not regularly maintained they may start showing signs of wear and even malfunction completely.

Preventing hydraulic press damage begins with regularly checking its pressure. You can do this using a hydraulic pressure gauge attached to either your control panel or near the press cylinder.

Keep track of the pressure in your system to make necessary adjustments. If there appears to be an issue, inspect both the pump and motor for proper functioning.

Check the Pump

The pump is the primary source of pressure in a hydraulic press, and it's also one of the most expensive components to replace. Preventive maintenance helps minimize downtime and expenses associated with replacing it.

Regularly inspect the hydraulic pump for leaks, overheating and excessive noise. If these problems persist, the cause could be an issue with its filter or strainer which keeps large particles out of the fluid reservoir.

If a suction filter or strainer becomes clogged, the pump may overheat and cease to provide adequate lubrication. To resolve this problem, drain and replace the system with fresh oil for maximum effectiveness.

If your pump is overheating, air may be seeping from around its shaft seal. Gear and vane pumps usually have a slight vacuum behind their seals; piston pumps typically do not.

Check the Motor

When inspecting a hydraulic press, be sure to inspect the motor as well. Just like pumps, motor gears, vanes and pistons can become worn from exposure to contaminants which reduce pressure or cause leaks.

A press' motor should be kept running at the correct rpm and lubricated with fresh hydraulic oil to maximize its life. Running too hot may reduce its efficiency.

Sometimes, motors need extra care to keep them running at their proper rpm and with proper lubrication. Over time, however, motors may lose power, leading to longer cycle times and downtime.

One way to tell if your motor is having problems with its lubrication is by testing fluid samples from different locations on the motor. Compare viscosity, cleanliness and integrity between samples to see if there appears thicker or thinner at any point in the system - this may indicate an underlying issue elsewhere.