When a Double-Acting Cylinder Becomes a Displacement Cylinder

Leaking piston seal on hydraulic cylinderSome time ago I recorded a simulation video which explains what happens when the piston-seal on a double-acting cylinder leaks, and it becomes a displacement cylinder.

After watching the video, Larry from Canada sent me this in response:

“I enjoyed your video about cylinder drift not being caused by oil leaking past the seals. But I have to ask the Read more

How To Get To Know Your Hydraulic Machines

Recording a hydraulic systems vital signsMy wife often asks me why I still do consulting work. She wonders why I happily leave the comfort of my office to crawl all over hot and dirty hydraulic machines.

Well for one, I actually enjoy it. Two, it keeps me sharp. But perhaps most importantly, it keeps me in touch with the issues that hydraulic equipment users grapple … Read more

Some Like It Hot But Hydraulic Machines Don’t

hydraulic power unitA colleague who works for a major hydraulic component manufacturer recently told me his company’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers are demanding hydraulic components which can handle operating temperatures in excess of 110°C. And this number is not for margin of safety – it’s for continuous operation.

The trouble with this is, heat is the biggest enemy of a hydraulic … Read more