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Why Choose A Custom Hydraulic Cylinder?

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Why Choose A Custom Hydraulic Cylinder

Custom Hydraulic Cylinders for Any Project!

Choosing the right hydraulic cylinder for your equipment is a common occurrence for many. It is extremely important to match your equipment with the most suitable cylinder. Even though some machinery can utilize standard or off-the-shelf equipment, others cannot. For equipment that cannot run efficiently with off-the-shelf options you will need to look into custom hydraulic cylinders

Custom Hydraulic Cylinders

The basic hydraulic cylinder consists of these parts:
• Barrel
• Bottom & bottom connection
• Head
• Piston and Piston Rod connection

With custom hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, the engineer and customer will work together to produce a version together with precise specification. The customization process allows you to change length, diameter and even materials. You can also alter the construction and/or design of the pistons, valves, and valve manifolds. Lastly, you can customize the port positions, mountings, and even integrate functions.

custom hydraulic cylinder

Why Custom Hydraulic Cylinder?

Built With Your Requirements

With the customization process, you will receive a hydraulic cylinder that addresses your unique needs and concerns. The selected engineers will collaborate closely with your company to ensure the result will meet the explicit needs of your equipment and job. When you choose to customize your equipment rather than use standard products, you can install a product that is specific to your machinery. There will be no over or under-engineering resulting from a need to compromise. Your company can avoid many problems that can arise from trying to force a standard hydraulic cylinder to work in a custom-made machine.

Options to Consider

Most of the off-shelf cylinders available are the tie-rod cylinders. They tend to be bulkier, have limitations for the installation process and tend to require additional service and maintenance than custom hydraulic cylinders.

There are other options for additional lift or push capacity, even with larger rods. The customized designs of your choosing will be simple, efficient, and offer you the option to choose the type of return, which is also an essential choice in getting the ideal cylinder for the job.

Difference between standard and custom hydraulic cylinders

Cost

As you might expect, the costs that are associated with designing, fabricating, and producing a properly functioned custom hydraulic cylinder can be higher than your standard option. If the stock options are truly not what you are looking for, any upfront costs for a custom hydraulic cylinder would be a minimal cost compared to repairing any damage caused by faulty equipment.

Availability

While there are many pros to custom designing your own hydraulic cylinder, one of the cons is time. If your equipment is in stand-still, a custom hydraulic cylinder needs time to be designed, prototyped, and manufactured before it can help your equipment get back up and running. If there is a stock hydraulic cylinder that happens to fit your equipment perfectly, you can be up and running in no time.

We hope this information was useful for you to help decide which route you should go for your hydraulic cylinder needs. The custom hydraulic cylinder has many pros including being built exactly to your specifications and having options for customization. While going the standard route is more cost effective, you might find that some of your needs are being met with the equipment, such as size, while some other needs are unmet like the pressure, rod material, etc.

The industry professional staff at All Phase will help you step-by-step in deciding which choice is the best for you. Interested in seeing what we offer? Request a Free Quote here!

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What is Maximum Hydraulic Pressure and Why is it Important?

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What is Hydraulic Pressure and Why is it Important?

Hydraulic pressure offers a straightforward yet incredibly effective way to generate substantial force in a limited area. It harnesses the power of hydraulic fluid pressure to create this force. From the early days of low-pressure, hefty hydraulic lifting jacks to today’s cutting-edge high-pressure hydraulic systems, hydraulic power has consistently served as a highly utilized and deeply valued ally in humanity’s pursuit of increased power and knowledge.

The Hydraulic System

In a nutshell, a hydraulic system relies on compressed fluid to shift force from one point to another. Picture it like a team effort involving key players: Reservoir, Pump, Valves, Fluid, Motor, Hose, Filter, and Cylinder.

The reservoir is like a holding area for the hydraulic fluid before it gets pressurized. Typically, it’s filled with hydraulic oil which gets filtered to remove any impurities. The pumps then kick into action, pushing the fluid from the reservoir into the system, amping up its energy. And guess who powers the pump? That’s right, it’s the motor’s job.

Inside the hydraulic cylinder, the high-pressure fluid gets to work on the rod and piston. With each stroke, the cylinder transforms fluid pressure into good old mechanical force. As this happens, the reservoir’s oil level takes a dip while the rod and piston stretch out.

But what goes out must come back. When the rod and piston retract, the fluid heads back to the reservoir. The reservoir’s metal walls play a cool role, allowing excess heat to escape. As a bonus, the reduced pressure lets any trapped air bubble out. Remember, if the cylinders have to squish air bubbles, it’s like a hiccup in efficiency.

Now, meet the MVPs: directional control valves and pressure relief valves. Directional control valves steer the fluid’s path, while pressure relief valves act like guardians, preventing pressure overload mishaps. They also keep a check on how much oomph rotary motors and cylinders can put out. These valves swing into action when pressure levels go beyond the limit, letting oil flow back to its cozy reservoir.

The fluid takes a journey from one part to the next in the hydraulic system, all thanks to the trusty hydraulic hose.

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on hydraulics, it’s time to dive into mastering that hydraulic pressure for your safety and your machinery’s well-being.

How to Control Hydraulic Pressure

To achieve hydraulic pressure control the hydraulic systems meter the flow of a fluid. The rule of thumb here is: 

Pressure= force to move the load
Flow= how fast the load moves

The actual fluid pressure involved here plays a crucial role in this ‘Multiplication of Force’ and in this context there are two features of hydraulic pressure which is important to remember:

1. Hydraulic pressure is measured as a force per unit of area e.g. Bar (Kg/cm2) or PSI (Pounds per square inch).

2. The Hydraulic pressure at any point within the fluid is the same in all directions provided of course that the fluid is static.

The accepted international standard for maximum working pressure in the high-pressure hydraulic tools industry is 700 Bar (10,000 PSI). The criteria for establishing the maximum output force of a hydraulic cylinder at 700 Bar pressure is the size of the effective area of the cylinder bore.

maximum hydraulic pressure

Dangers of Overpressurization

The risks associated with hydraulic overpressurization are not to be taken lightly, as they can pose a significant threat to the stability and functionality of your machinery. This perilous scenario can set off a chain of catastrophic events, ultimately resulting in the breakdown of crucial components in your hydraulic system.

One immediate consequence of overpressurization is the vulnerability of hoses and seals. These vital parts, typically built to withstand specific pressure levels, can buckle under the excessive force placed upon them. This not only jeopardizes the containment of hydraulic fluids but also exposes nearby components to potential harm.

Moreover, the mechanical strength of vital elements like pumps, motors, cylinders, and valves is put at risk. These pieces, precisely calibrated to operate within defined limits, can yield to the overwhelming stress brought on by overpressurization. The result is a distressing chain of failures, hindering the smooth operation of the machinery and causing disruptions in its intended function.

A particularly worrying consequence of overpressurization is valve plate separation. This issue manifests through clear signs like uneasy vibrations and pulsations running through the pressure lines of pumps or motors. As the cylinder barrel experiences separation and re-coupling with the valve plate, the machine’s behavior becomes erratic, mirroring the turmoil within the hydraulic system.

Contrary to a commonly held belief, pushing your hydraulic system’s pressure to its limits does not translate to improved operational speed. This misconception can lead to serious misjudgments, ultimately endangering both your hydraulic system and your personal safety. It’s crucial to abandon this faulty reasoning and instead follow the guidance laid out in the manufacturer’s manual or, even better, seek advice from an experienced professional.

In essence, the perils associated with hydraulic overpressurization cast a long and foreboding shadow over your machinery’s performance and your own safety. Embracing a careful and well-informed approach is the foundation of preventing potential disasters that could otherwise undermine your hydraulic system’s durability and operational effectiveness.

If you have questions regarding any of your hydraulic systems, please contact us today! We’re ready to help any way we can.

When Should You opt For Custom Hydraulic Systems?

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When Should You opt For Custom Hydraulic Systems?

The Benefits of Custom Hydraulics for Your Business

Hydraulic systems are always comprised of many pieces that all work together to make the system function. Many times, custom hydraulic applications can come in handy for your system and operations – but when should you opt for a custom hydraulic system rather than a conventional one? What is the difference and how can a custom system help and benefit your business? We want to hit all of this with you because we know that choosing the right hydraulic system can be hard. Ultimately, there are countless benefits to a custom hydraulic system – but you have to decide if it’s the right route for you and your business, so here are some of the top reasons why you should consider a custom system.

Design Configurations are Limitless

One of the most attractive parts of a custom hydraulic system is the unending options that you have for design configurations. With a custom system you can decide exactly how you want your system to be designed and run. Whether it’s a small or large system, you have complete control over it all and anything you can dream up – we can find a way to make reality.

custom hydraulic system

Always a Solution to Meet Your Need

Not only are the design and configuration options limitless, but we can almost ALWAYS find a solution to whatever your project catch is. There is comfort in the idea that with custom systems and applications, solutions can almost always be created to help your project or system run better, operates with efficiency, or completely change the way that your project functions.

Full-Service Design Build Solutions

Maybe you’re in more of a place where you have the idea you want to achieve but you aren’t exactly sure how to make it happen. We can help you design something that can help solve your problem from start to finish.

Ultimately, we realize that custom hydraulic systems aren’t for everyone or for every project– but they might be right for you – and we hope that as you explore your options, you’ll know which direction you should go. If you simply want to talk about what a custom hydraulic system or solution could look like for your specific project is, please contact us today! Our team is happy to help you with any questions you might have, and we are completely committed to being here for you every single step of the way when it comes to a custom hydraulic system. 

Interested In Learning More About Our Custom Hydraulic Cylinder Services?

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Tips for Yearly Hydraulic Cylinder Maintenance

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Tips for Yearly Hydraulic Cylinder Maintenance

Keep Your Cylinders Running Well with Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance sometimes referred to as preventive maintenance is an important part of owning any sort of mechanical object or machine. Because each part plays an integral role in the function of the object, each piece needs to perform properly in order to ensure that everything works together seamlessly so that you don’t face any unexpected down time with your equipment. This goes especially if you own any hydraulic equipment that uses hydraulic cylinders. If you are checking your cylinders regularly you can stay ahead of any issues that might come up. Use these tips during your yearly hydraulic cylinder maintenance to make sure that you get the most out of your equipment.

Check hydraulic fluid for contaminants

Contaminants can find their way into your hydraulic cylinders and cause some serious damage if left unattended. Check your cylinders fluid for dirt, dust, or anything else that might harm your cylinder. While you’re doing this, be sure to check your filters to be sure that they are doing their job the right way! Checking the fluid is a great way to keep your cylinders going.

Assess the cylinder tube

Be sure to assess your cylinder’s tubes regularly to make sure that they are in good working order. At times, the wall of the cylinder is not thick enough or the pressure becomes too much to handle. Checking them often can make sure that you don’t miss anything before they become an issue that would cause your business to have unwanted down time.

custom welded body cylinders

Examine seals, valves, and rods

Check your seals and valves often to see if there are any leaks or any disintegration that needs to be addressed. Leaks can be a serious issue when it comes to your cylinders. While checking the seals and valves, be sure to lubricate any areas that look like they need it. Another important thing to check is the cylinder rods. A rod needs to be completely straight and ready to go in order for the cylinder to function properly. If something happens and causes a bend, it can result in the failure of your equipment, so be sure to check them regularly.

Hydraulic cylinder maintenance is an important part of having hydraulics as a part of your operations. Keeping them monitored and checked can also save you a lot of money and down time if something does go wrong. If you’re looking for help with your hydraulics, we offer cylinder repair, custom cylinder manufacturing and other hydraulic services – contact us today, our representatives are happy to help in anyway that they can.

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How To Minimize the Risk of Hydraulic Cylinder Contamination

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How To Minimize the Risk of Hydraulic Cylinder Contamination

Keep Your Equipment Running Longer

In the world of hydraulics, hydraulic cylinder contamination can leave a business in a bad place. Contamination can cause hydraulic cylinder failure, putting an abrupt stop to any work that had been getting done and maybe even stopping your operations as a whole. There are many causes of hydraulic contamination and even more reasons to do your best to prevent it from happening right away. Most hydraulic equipment owners understand the importance of keeping their hydraulic fluid clean and clear of debris to reduce the chances of premature failure of their equipment, yet hydraulic contamination still remains to be a big issue for many business owners. Read on to learn some of the ways that you can minimize the risk of hydraulic cylinder contamination and keep your equipment running longer and more efficiently.
First thing is first when it comes to minimizing the risk of hydraulic cylinder contamination it is important to identify all the different ways that your hydraulic cylinders can become contaminated. This will hopefully help you understand contamination as a whole and how each different contaminant can affect your system.

Forms of Hydraulic Cylinder Contamination

Hard Particles

Hard particles include metal, dust, & dirt that can cause some serious contamination when it comes to your machines. Some of them can be created during grinding, welding, or machining and others such as dust and dirt can just become an issue from a dirty environment (which cannot always be avoided) These hard particles can cause abrupt and serious damage to your machines because they are known to clump up within the oil. They also can cause cuts and destruction to seals which can be a serious issue.

Soft Particles

Soft particles can cause contamination by blocking passageways or clogging certain parts of your machine. These particles are most generally from seals that have broken down a little bit, composite bearings, or cloth fibers. This contamination is a little less common but still as serious as any other issue. When soft particles cause issues within a machine it generally ends in machine failure and a lot of unexpected down time for the business.

Hydraulic Cylinder Reseal

Water

Water and hydraulics don’t mix well. Hydraulic cylinders are powered by a hydraulic fluid such as oil, and if you have ever tried to mix water and oil, you know that the two don’t mix well. Water can contaminate your hydraulic cylinder when your machine is in a humid environment or when parts are not fully dry after they have been taken for cleaning. These small things can cause big issues such as corrosion within your cylinders.

After understanding the different types of contamination that are most common, it’s important to be aware of contamination and where the source is so that you can do your best to prevent it. Within the assembly process, there are obviously processes that are necessary and the chances of contamination are higher, but there are certain ways to minimize the risk of contamination.

– Keep work and storage locations clean
– Parts, once cleaned should be kept in sealed containers to keep dust, dirt, and particles off before reassembly
– Be intentional with air filters and keeping your area climate controlled
– Invest in lint-free rags and other tools to keep your shop as particle free as possible

Hydraulic Cylinder Contamination: Conclusion

If you are only a hydraulic user, utilizing filters within your hydraulics will be one of the most important things that you can do to prevent hydraulic cylinder contamination. There are various filters that can and should be used to help minimize the risk of your hydraulics becoming contaminated. Filters help sift through the hydraulic fluid in your components and catch any debris that could cause an issue in the future. They are very important to use and utilize correctly.

All in all, hydraulic cylinder contamination isn’t something that can always be avoided – but there are ways to minimize the risk, and help your hydraulics run for longer through specific care & instructions. If you are interested in learning more about All Phase Hydraulics and how we manufacture and repair hydraulic components, please, contact us today! Our team is happy to help you in any way that we can.

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The History of Hydraulic Power

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The History of Hydraulic Power

Back to The Basics of Hydraulic Power

People have been utilizing the power of fluids for practically as long as we have been around, it’s amazing to think about the history of hydraulic power – when you really stop and think about how someone came to the realization of what possibilities there are with the use of hydraulics, it’s amazing! Power generated through fluid began with water. Early applications of waterpower include the water wheel, water clocks, and aqueducts. Over the last century though, fluid power has made some drastic strides forward. In 1648 a physicist with the name of Blaise Pascal made some important discoveries within the world of fluid power. He realized that “any force applied to a confined fluid is transmitted uniformly in all directions throughout the fluid regardless of the shape of the container.” (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/pascals-law) This realization was the beginning of making hydraulic power what it is today. Almost 100 years later, Daniel Bernoulli used the base of Pascals law to pressurize water within pumps and mills, followed years later by Joseph Bramah who patented the very first hydraulic press which truly revolutionized the way that fluid power and hydraulics would function forever. It didn’t take too long to realize that there had to be a better alternative to water within the hydraulics, which is when noncorrosive oil began to be used. Along with protecting the vessel better, oil is denser and has the ability to lift and handle much more weight. Not only that, but oil also doesn’t evaporate like water does, and is able to more easily maintain temperature as needed.

In 1897 the first hydraulic excavator was built by the Kilgore Machine Company making a breakthrough with the use of hydraulics. It wasn’t till many years later that hydraulic machines started to really dominate the construction industry by being used to do a wide variety of things such as lifting, digging, pushing, and pulling – decreasing the amount of manpower necessary to do these tasks. These hydraulic machines had many advantages and still some disadvantages as well, they were much more powerful and seemed to last much longer, but they also required more expensive upkeep and repair.
As time went on, hydraulics started to really evolve, and began to be used in much more than just large machines such as bulldozers and cranes. People began to see the value of hydraulics for many different applications, even small ones such as car jacks, scissor lifts, pumps, and more! It didn’t take long to see that hydraulics were a sustainable idea that reached far and wide in the world of manufacturing, construction, repair and so much more! Hydraulic power is highly valued for its force and ability to be controlled accurately.

history of hydraulic power

Over the last 100+ years, the world of hydraulics has been constantly changing, updating, and increasing in productivity. Systems are improving and new opportunities to use hydraulics are forming. Hydraulics are used in so many applications that you might not even realize, things from big equipment, to small machinery, home solutions and more.

If you are interested in learning more about your hydraulics or maybe you have some hydraulics or hydraulic components that you need looked at, please contact us today. Our team is more than happy to help you with whatever your hydraulic needs might be.

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Things to Check if your Hydraulic System Isn’t Working

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Things to Check if your Hydraulic System Isn’t Working

Save Time and Money by Gathering All the Information Possible on your Down Equipment

It can be challenging to own hydraulic equipment sometimes, especially when your company relies on them very much to keep business rolling. When your system stops working as it should, we would encourage you to do some evaluating of your machinery before you have an experienced mechanic come in for repairs. Please note – hiring an experienced mechanic is always going to be a smart decision when it comes to your equipment, but try to get the most information possible so that your mechanic can evaluate the machinery and equipment in the best and most efficient way. Saving you time and money!

Gather Information on The Issue

First thing is first when it comes to your Hydraulic System. If things are not running smoothly like normal, do your best to gather the most amount of information possible to explain the issue. This requires you to pay attention closely, we would even encourage you to take notes if you are able! Is your equipment operation slow or is your machine completely un-functioning? Is there a lot of noise or vibrations happening? Do your best to gather the most amount of information on what exactly is happening with your equipment as you try and use it. It might be that your equipment isn’t functioning at all and that you really aren’t able to gather too much information. The next step is going to be trying to put together some finer details about the overall issues. For example, if you are experiencing a large increase in vibration or noise when you are operating your equipment – when is it happening? Is it only when you are in a certain gear? Or is it 100% of the time. When did the issues start, and when was the last time you had your equipment or machine maintenanced? All of these details are good things to help you begin the troubleshooting process as you think about the various issues that could be happening within your hydraulic systems.

things to check if your hydraulic system isn't working

Rule Out Common Issues

The next step would be to rule out any common issues or problems that might be preventing your hydraulic systems from working to the best of their ability. These problems could be anything from overheating hydraulic fluid, to improper hydraulic fluid levels, to even a hydraulic leak or dirty/clogged filters. These common problems can be the cause of a lot of hydraulic system drama in your company, so take the time to check them out first if you are able. Now let’s take a look at some other issues that might be the root of your hydraulic system issues.

Other Possible Issues

Too Thick or Too Cold of Hydraulic Fluid

Having too thick or too cold of hydraulic fluid can cause various issues within your systems including slow operation and unpredictable operations. Another culprit could be air in your system. These things can really take a toll on your system if not addressed properly. So be sure to let your mechanic know if you suspect any of these problems with your hydraulic system.

Insufficient Oil, Incorrect Fluid, or Contamination

A common issue that seems to arise is with an excessive amount of noise or vibration with your equipment or machine. This could be a result of an insufficient amount of oil or even contamination. Be sure to check that your machine has enough oil and that the oil is not showing signs of air within the fluid. It’s possible that there are other issues causing noise and vibrations such as internal issues with bearings or couplings that might not be secured properly.

Fluid Leak

A fluid leak although maybe minor initially can cause big problems for your machinery if not addressed. Leaking fluid can also lead to many other issues with contamination and damaging parts. A fluid leak is likely due to worn out seals, damaged lines, or bad connections – so be sure to take a look at each of them before deciding how to move forward.

When dealing with the complexity that comes with hydraulic machinery and systems, there is often many different possibilities of things that could have caused the problem you are seeing come to fruition. Consulting with a experienced hydraulics mechanic or machinist is almost always the best decision for your equipment. If you have any questions regarding repairs or replacements for your hydraulics, please contact us today. We are happy to help in any way that we can.

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How To Avoid Hydraulic Fluid Contamination

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How To Avoid Hydraulic Fluid Contamination

Hydraulic fluid contamination can create some major problems for your operation and machinery! It’s important to keep all of your machines and equipment running as smoothly as possible to avoid any unnecessary repair costs as well as to keep your machines running as long as possible. Hydraulic fluid contamination is one of the most common reasons for hydraulic systems to fail or lose effectiveness although you might not always realize it. Contamination can cause a multitude of problems for your equipment and machinery including leaks, sticky parts, corrosion and more. It’s obvious that machine and equipment owners are going to want to avoid hydraulic fluid contamination at all costs right, but how? What are some of the preventive measures you can take to keep your machinery and equipment running as smoothly as possible all while avoiding hydraulic fluid contamination?
First off, lets discuss what are the various contaminations that are most likely when it comes to your equipment’s hydraulic fluid. When you think about contaminants, its easy to jump to the thought of dirt, dust, flakes of metal, or other things that fly around in the use of machinery and equipment, and those things definitely will cause trouble if they get in your hydraulic fluid, but another lesser known contaminant is actually water! When water gets mixed in with your hydraulic fluid, the results can be devastating to your operation. Water can result in the corrosion of your equipment and hydraulics. Although contamination is sometimes unavoidable, let’s explore the different ways that you can protect your equipment from both particle contamination as well as fluid and water contamination.

How To Avoid Hydraulic Fluid Contamination

Proper Fluid Care and Storage

Proper fluid care and storage is going to be one of the biggest ways that you can avoid hydraulic fluid contamination when it comes to your equipment and machinery. This ranges everything from proper storing containers, proper handling, as well as selecting the correct fluid for your particular equipment. All hydraulic fluids should be kept in completely sealed containers until they are ready to be used and any container of hydraulic fluid should be meticulously cared for – be sure to research your specific hydraulic fluid to make sure that you know exactly what measures should be taken when it comes to storage and handling. Certain hydraulic fluids need to be stored in a completely dry area because they will absorb moisture in a humid environment, other fluids are more sensitive to temperature changes and should be handled accordingly. Avoiding contamination in your equipment’s hydraulic fluid begins from the time you buy it, till you dispose of the empty container.

hydraulic fluid contamination in red hydraulic fluid application

Routine and Preventive Maintenance

Routine Maintenance is an important and simple way that you can avoid hydraulic fluid contamination. Some contamination is due to build up of residue or simply the overuse of fluid way past the point of when it should have been serviced. Set a schedule for your hydraulic equipment and machinery so that you remember to get it serviced by a professional routinely. This will make it easier to catch any build up or residue before it becomes a bigger issue involved more down time, and seriously affected equipment! To read more about the different benefits that you can experience through preventive maintenance, click here.

Although sometimes hydraulic fluid contamination is inevitable, there are certainly preventive measures that can be taken to protect your hydraulic equipment. We hope that this blog was useful as you think about how you can better care for your hydraulic machinery. If you are looking to have your hydraulic equipment serviced, please contact us today. We would love to talk to you about how we might be able to help.

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What Is A Hydraulic Jack

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What Is A Hydraulic Jack

How Does It Work & Why Is It So Useful?

If you spend any amount of time in the garage working on any sort of equipment or vehicle you may have used a hydraulic jack before. Hydraulic jacks are one of the most common tools used by both full time mechanics as well as mechanical hobbyists. It doesn’t matter if you have barely picked up a wrench before or if you spend 8 hours a day under a vehicle or piece of equipment, everyone needs a hydraulic jack in their assortment of tools.

What is a Hydraulic Jack?

A hydraulic jack is a compact piece of equipment used to lift extreme weights through the use of hydraulic power. They take place in many forms, but by far the most common hydraulic jacks are the ones used for vehicles. Hydraulic jacks all have different capacities for the amount of weight they are able to lift so it is important to know what your goals are for using your jack before purchasing it. To see our hydraulic jack products that we carry, click here – we have a jack for everyone!

How Does a Hydraulic Jack Work?

A hydraulic jack functions by utilizing hydraulic fluid that is pumped through the mechanism by force exerted by the user. When the handle is pumped, the fluid that begins located in the reservoir of the jack is pushed through the valves and into the bottom of the load-bearing cylinder pushing up the load-bearing cylinder as well as whatever item is on top of it (car, equipment, etc.) If you are looking for a great visualization of how a jack functions check out this video

Why Are Hydraulic Jacks So Useful?

They can be used in so many different ways – whether it’s changing a flat tire, raising up your vehicle to take a look at what’s underneath, or it even be lifting up a piece of heavy equipment for a repair that needs to happen. A hydraulic jack allows for us to exert a large amount of force and power through a small, and simple movement making your next mechanical project a whole lot easier.

All Phase Hydraulics carries American Forge & Foundry hydraulic jacks for our customers, they are proven to be durable, reliable, and affordable, all while getting the job done well. To see what jacks we carry, click here!
If you need help finding the right hydraulic jack for your project, contact us today! Our team will be happy to assist you with finding the right fit.

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4 Ways To Tell It’s Time To Repair Your Hydraulic Hose

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hydraulic hose repair

4 Ways To Tell It’s Time To Repair Your Hydraulic Hose

Hydraulic hoses are everywhere they are a part of so many important applications including construction equipment, recycling equipment, auto repair shops and SO much more. Hydraulic machinery is so important in life today and one major part of what makes hydraulics work is the hydraulic hose. Let’s discuss what a hydraulic hose is, what it does, and when it’s time to repair your hydraulic hose. 

In the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, All Phase Hydraulics is your go-to for comprehensive hydraulic solutions. We specialize in providing hydraulic hoses, fittings, repair, and maintenance services.

Hydraulic Hoses, Fittings, and Repair in Grand Rapids MI!

Fix My Hydraulic Hoses!

What Is A Hydraulic Hose?

A hydraulic hose is the part of your hydraulic machinery that transfers the hydraulic fluid over to the various areas, parts, and pieces of the machine. Hydraulic hoses need to be made from a durable yet pliable material – generally hoses are constructed with synthetic rubber, thermoplastic, or Teflon. All of these materials are strong and durable, yet movable and adaptable. It’s very common that your hydraulic hose will also have some sort of strong braided textile or fabric covering to reinforce the hose as it works. The hydraulic hose is such a crucial piece to your equipment that it is crucial to have as much reinforcement as possible so that your equipment and machinery can run as long as possible.


If you own any hydraulic machinery, chances are you’ve wondered how long the system will last, as well as how you can begin to notice that you need to replace or repair your hydraulic hose. The truth is there is no good answer for how long a hydraulic hose will last, the lifetime of the hose is dependent on multiple different variables including how you’re using your machinery, in what environment it’s in, and other things as well such as temperature and humidity. So if there is no concrete answer for how long your hose will last, the next best thing is going to be knowing the signs to tell when the time is nearing to get your hoses replaced so that you are not left down and out with unworking machinery while you wait for the pieces and parts to be repaired. When you have a good idea of when your hydraulic hose needs to be replaced or repaired, you can account for that maintenance into your schedule so that you are not left in a poor position with excessive down time.

Take A Look At The Shelf Life

According the Society of Automotive Engineers, the shelf life of any bulk rubber hose is ten years from the time it was manufactured. The manufactured date is on the lay-line of the hose, so be sure to check it and write it down in your records. Keep in mind that this date does not account for any wearing variables such as temperature, application, sunlight and more – but this date might give you a better idea of how long your hose has.

Don’t Ignore Leaks

If you see any leakage, be sure to stop and take a look at your machine, leakage obviously has a source and can be a sign of some sort of break crack, or improper installation or use. Leaks will lead to hydraulic failure if not addressed, so if you do notice any leaks of any kind, be sure to look closer – it’s likely time to replace your hydraulic hose.

hydraulic hose repair

Keep An Eye Out For Kinks and Cracks

Staying on a preventive maintenance schedule will help you keep your machinery in great condition and also give you the opportunity to look for any kinks and cracks. Any sort of abrasion, kink or crack is a good sign that your hose is beginning to wear down. It is 100 times better to replace your hose BEFORE failure by watching for the signs of serious wear and tear.

Be Aware Of Rust & Buildup

Rust and different buildup on your hose can be an indication that it is time to look into replacing your hoses. The general rule is that red/orange rust is alarming and there is a need for inspection or replacement. White residue or buildup is OK and is not a cause for concern. If you do have excessive white buildup, we would still encourage you to stick with your preventive maintenance schedule and have someone look into it to be sure that your machinery is in tip top shape.

In many cases, when it’s time to replace or repair your hydraulic hose, there will be signs, so be sure to educate yourself and your staff on preventive maintenance and why it is so important to your machinery. When you have a rigorous and disciplined schedule for preventive maintenance, it becomes easier to spot the trouble signs and it will become easier to tell when it’s time to replace or repair your hydraulic hose. If you want to learn more about the ten top reasons hydraulic hoses fail and how to prevent them, check out our blog here! If you are looking for a reliable source for your hydraulic hoses and fittings, be sure to contact us today, our staff is happy to help you find what you need!

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