In The Hydraulic Troubleshooting Handbook, I explain 12 principles which must be adhered to in order to solve any hydraulic problem effectively. Troubleshooting Principle #1 is: check and eliminate the easy things first. The benefits of this mandatory first step are clearly illustrated by a troubleshooting situation I was involved in recently.

The machine in question had a complex … Read more

Troubleshooting hydraulic problems can be a complex exercise. It involves a lot of science and sometimes, a bit of art. Incorrect diagnosis prolongs downtime and can result in the unnecessary repair or replacement of serviceable components. To avoid these costly mistakes a logical approach is required.

Before you incur the expense of hiring a technician, assess the problem and eliminate … Read more

In a previous blog post about hydraulics troubleshooting, 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, one of our members sent me this:

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