One of our members wrote me with this question:

“On Cat diggers and some other makes they have two hoses off the pumps that are plugged. I call them hoses to nowhere. Some mechanics have told me they are there to reduce spike pressures. And others have said they are to make the pumps run quieter. Can you please tell … Read more

One of our readers wrote to me recently regarding the following problem:

“I have a problem with a large garbage compactor. Each and every time the valve cycles the hydraulic cylinder, there is a loud bang. What are the possible causes?”

Assuming this noise is being generated by the hydraulics, i.e. it is not a symptom of a mechanical problem, … Read more

When a hydraulic system sees a spike in pressure it won’t necessarily blow up with a bang. But damage can occur in a number of ways. In fact, a single pressure spike of sufficient magnitude can render a hydraulic piston pump or motor unserviceable. Here’s how:

In axial and bent axis piston pump and motor designs, the cylinder barrel is … Read more