If you read my previous blog post about hydraulics troubleshooting, you’ll recall I told the story of a monkey caught in an old Indian monkey trap. This story was an analogy for the importance of both knowledge AND process for a successful troubleshooting outcome. In response, Bill Smith sent me this:

“That is a great analogy. I am a USAF … Read more

One of our members (name withheld for reasons you’ll understand in a moment) sent me this question:

“Our hydraulic power units are Kubota 86 hp and Deutz 76 hp 4 cylinder diesel systems. We use a 40 GPM gear pump with a splitter valve to create two circuits of 20 GPM, each with a variable flow control. We have a … Read more

In Chapter 13 of Insider Secrets to Hydraulics, I explain how to check the straightness of a hydraulic cylinder rod and calculate allowable run-out. This is an essential task when repairing any hydraulic cylinder, because if a bent rod gets put back in, the life of the rod seal(s) is compromised and the cost of the repair largely wasted.… Read more