There are several types of Hydraulic Valves in Chicago. Although they work a little bit differently, they all serve the same purpose: facilitating movement of hydraulic fluid through the system. Some use a spool to compress and decompress an internal spring that opens pathways between ports. Others control the motion of hydraulic fluid by opening and closing poppets. All valves have one thing in common: when they aren’t working properly, they cause hydraulic systems to fail. Below are a few common symptoms that may be caused by poorly performing valves.
Slow Operation
There are a number of reasons a hydraulic machine may be operating at a slower speed than usual. One of the most common ones is internal leakage, which often occurs in the valves. Internal leakage also causes a pressure drop, generating excess heat within the system. As a result, the location of the leak can sometimes be isolated using an infrared thermometer. In other cases, a hydraulic flow-tester may be needed to diagnose the source of the problem. If it is, in fact, originating in one of the valves, it may need to be rebuilt or replaced.
Abnormal Sounds
The root cause of many abnormal noises in a hydraulic system is cavitation. When this occurs, the sounds are originating from the pump, but anything from internal leaks to improperly fitted valves may be the cause. Gate-type isolation valves are the most common culprits. They are prone to vibrating closed and getting stuck, causing the fluid entering the intake line to be decreased to dangerous levels. The intake lines themselves are also prone to failure as they age but, if they have already been replaced and the problem persists, the chances are it’s due to a faulty valve.
Pressure Drops
Incorrectly adjusted relief valves often cause areas of low pressure within the system. This increases the heat load, which can cause extensive damage if allowed to continue. Install a temperature alarm within the system and check each component to discover the source of the pressure drop. If the problem is originating due to valve problems, it’s sometimes possible to fix it by simply adjusting the Hydraulic Valves in Chicago. If any of these issues require the valve to be rebuilt or replaced, check out Miller Hydraulic Service Inc for parts and services.
