There are several good reasons to have a reliable system of preventive maintenance in place at your facility—costly emergency repairs, production downtime and worker safety to name a few. The goal of preventative maintenance is to help you identify component weaknesses before failure and loss of production.
Why Preventive Maintenance is Essential for Hydraulic Systems
The high pressures and temperatures associated with hydraulics make hose and fitting maintenance as well as selection critical. If done correctly, the risk of injury and/or excessive, costly downtime decreases significantly. In addition, there is a growing awareness regarding costs associated with cleaning up a hydraulic spill (EPA).
Benefits of Preventive Maintenance
- Efficient production because equipment is in good operating condition at all times.
- Better use of in-shop maintenance personnel since there’s less emergency work and more scheduled work.
- Improved control of spare parts inventory, and reduced parts usage.
- Reduction of equipment downtime through scheduled inspections.
- Safety hazards are minimized.
- Increased life expectancy of equipment.
- Fewer capital outlays for purchasing new equipment prematurely.
- Reduced repair costs due to fewer breakdowns.
- Prevention of equipment deterioration from causes other than obsolescence.
An Effective Preventive Maintenance Program for Hydraulic Systems Should Consist of the Following Key Elements:
- Maintaining a safe work environment.
- Maintenance records.
- Regularly scheduled inspections conducted when equipment is shut down and hoses are not pressurized.
- Troubleshooting (identifying problems and solutions).
- Proper hose and fitting selection.
- Proper assembly, routing and installation.
- Receiving updated maintenance and product training periodically
Ready to take the first steps towards creating a hydraulic preventive maintenance program in your facility? Contact IRPG Hose Product Manager, Jason Stone today!
Improve Your Hydraulic Systems with Continental’s Extended Life X Series Hose
When the job requires tight bends, flexibility and abrasion resistance, this high-pressure service hose steps up to the task. Using a nitrile inner tube and two-wire, high-tensile steel reinforcement, it can handle 5,800 psi (31 MPa) flows of petroleum- and water-based hydraulic fluids.
Continental fittings are constructed from a single piece of steel without brazed or welded joints to provide ultimate protection against leaks and potential leak paths. With full-length crimps and a low-profile design that will last longer, the interlocking Bite-to-Wire technology delivers maximum coupling retention for safer assembly and reliability under the toughest pressure — no internal or external skive required.
Extended Life™ XR16SC is for high-pressure service with tight bends needing abrasion resistance and flexibility. It is made for use with petroleum- and water-based hydraulic fluids. This hose has excellent impulse performance and flexibility, exceeding SAE 100R2 and SAE 100R16 standards.
