How to Properly Train Your Employees About Hydraulic Lift Repair Techniques
Are you struggling to keep up with the repair costs that come with calling specialists to have a look at your machinery? If so, it may be time to upgrade your employee training process.
By training your employees about hydraulic lift repair, they’ll know what to look out for. This will allow them to perform basic maintenance, which can help you to better follow workplace safety guidelines and maximize the lifespan of your equipment.
Common Issues With Hydraulic Lifts
Hydraulic table lifts have various uses in warehouses and other workplaces. But, as with all machines, you will encounter some problems while using them. Here are some of the most common issues you’ll come across.
Problems With the Cylinders
Today, cylinders are as popular as pumps and engines when it comes to hydraulics. Unfortunately, they’re also pushed to their limit on a day-to-day basis, which makes them fragile.
A problem with the cylinders can lead to various other issues. Over time, these can become irreversible. Some of the main problems to look out for that could indicate that there is a problem with the cylinders include:
- Seal leakages
- Broken eye bearings
- Adverse chemical reactions
- Damaged rods and rod bearings
With this in mind, it’s essential that you train your team to check your hydraulic lift cylinders on a regular basis.
Ballooning Tubes
A common issue that can lead to problems with the cylinders is ballooning tubes. If the tube wall isn’t thick enough, it won’t be able to withstand the cylinder’s operating pressure. This can also happen if the tube material isn’t strong enough.
If the tubes balloon, fluid can bypass the seal. That can lead to erosion and reduce the seal’s lifespan. And without the piston seal, your machine will stop working. You’ll also have to spend a lot of time and money replacing various parts.
To stop this from happening, train your team to check the various parts of your hydraulic lifts at the end of each workday.
Issues With the Bearing Area
The bearing bands support the side thrust that goes to the cylinders. Sometimes, the piston’s and bearing band’s surface area can become too small. If this happens, too much weight goes onto the rod and piston seals.
Over time, the seals will change shape and stop working as they should.
Hose and Oil Changes
The key to keeping your hydraulic lift working as it should is knowing when to change the oil. The oil acts as a lubricant and it helps power the machine. But, because oil is expensive, the only way you can know if it’s time to change it is through oil analysis.
This analysis will allow you to identify:
- Wear
- Contaminants
- Additive elements
You must also use the right oil for your machine. This helps your hydraulic lift function at various temperatures without any problems and keeps major components working as they should.
Learn More About Hydraulic Lift Repair From Lange Lift
As you can see, training your staff on different hydraulic lift repair techniques can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Remember:
- You should train all of your workers to check the most important components of your lifts at the end of each shift.
- You should also give them basic maintenance training so that you can identify problems in advance.
If you want expert advice about hydraulic and various other lifts, contact Lange Lift today. We manufacture quality lifts for material handling in various industries worldwide.
