Hydraulic Repair Services: Pump & Motor Repairs

The following are the differences between a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump:

• Hydraulic Motor – A hydraulic motor takes fluid power (hydraulic pressure) and turns it into mechanical power (torque). It’s used to move things such as wheels, arms or conveyors.
• Hydraulic Pump – A hydraulic pump takes mechanical pressure and converts it into fluid power. This fluid is then pumped throughout the hydraulic system.

1. Gear Pumps – These use two meshing gears to trap and then move fluid, commonly used in mobile applications due to their simplicity, compact nature and ability to handle high pressures.
2. Vane Pumps – Spring-loaded vanes slide in and out of a rotor, creating expanding and contracting chambers that draw in and expel fluid. Often found in industrial machinery, machine tools etc. due to their ability to operate quietly in moderate to high pressure.
3. Piston Pumps – Pistons reciprocate within cylinders to displace fluid, highly ideal for high-pressure applications such as heavy construction equipment.
4. Fixed Displacement – These produce constant flow levels regardless of systemic pressure.
5. Swing motors  – Hydraulic and electric motors that allow for the movement of excavators, cranes and other heavy machinery. They enable swinging and rotation motions, often up to 360 degrees or more.

A gear motor is a type of motor that utilises gear meshing as a means to convert hydraulic fluid power into mechanical energy.

External Gear Motors are the most common type and feature two external gears. When pressurised fluid enters the motor, the gears are forced to rotate and generate torque. Internal Gear Motors are a less common type, with one external and one internal gear. Fluid flows between the teeth of the gears, causing them to rotate and transmit torque to the output shaft.

One of their main advantages is a high starting torque, generating significant torque even at low speeds. 

No. The reason why CJ Plant’s repair service is streets above the rest is specifically due to our workshop and massive supply network, which can offer hydraulic repairs and standards  to the highest level. Our aim is to clean, repair or replace components on site so that the overall system design looks, sounds, and performs like they are new units.

All of this is done speedily with the maximum consideration to our clients’ time and need to minimise disruption.

Many hydraulic repairs come as a result of a few overarching systematic problems, such as:

1. Hydraulic System Temperature Increase – There are many reasons your system may be overheating, such as a damaged heat exchanger or hydraulic pump.
2. Excessive Noise – A wide range of issues relating to misalignment, or smaller, wide-travelling issues within major components such as the hydraulic motor, may result in excessive noise.
3. Abnormal Fluid Conditions – Contamination is usually the reason for fluid changing in properties and appearance.

Regardless of your issue, any hydraulic system problems need to be addressed to prevent the issues worsening. Hydraulic machinery components are largely interdependent so when one degrades, the degradation spreads through the system via the hydraulic fluid – which can bring contaminants, heat, or fragments of worn components into other areas.

Regardless of whether you require new seals, repairing of minor components, or huge jobs such as hydraulic pump or motor repairs, call CJ Plant as soon as possible to minimise the downtime and the overall cost of the repair service. 

There are several signs that a hydraulic pump may need to be repaired. Hydraulic systems often have similar symptoms of faultiness, but nonetheless, hydraulic pumps often show the following signs:

• Excessive noise
• Decreased hydraulic power
• Overheating
• Cavitation
• External fluid leaks
• Poor or erratic performance

Again, these faults could be from any of the hydraulic applications, whether it be pumps, motors or the cylinder. The best course of action every time is to have them repaired. This is because over time, there will be high amounts of wear and tear that will damage the entire system eventually.

It’s always best to contact an engineer at CJ Plant for hydraulic pump repair rather than purchasing a replacement pump. Repairing hydraulic pumps can extend their lifespan and reduce downtime, especially when done by one of our experienced technicians, who can identify and prevent future issues. Also, as we recondition older hydraulic components, repairing as opposed to replacing is a much more cost-effective solution. So, even if we can’t fix certain components of the pump (although very unlikely!), we can replace them with reclaimed components instead of replacing the entire unit.

While not all hydraulic units can be repaired in every circumstance, a vast majority of hydraulic components, including pumps and motors, can be repaired or rebuilt, often providing a more cost-effective solution than replacement. The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a repair depends on factors like the extent of damage and availability of replacement parts.

Yes – hydraulic pumps can be tested to assess their performance, which identifies potential issues. This testing usually includes measuring flow rate, pressure and general operational efficiency.

This testing can help to reveal problems early, before they lead to more complex issues or downtime.

The two primary types of hydraulic pumps that can be repaired, are axial piston pumps and radial piston pumps, both of which can be configured as either fixed displacement or variable displacement pumps. Repairing a hydraulic piston pump involves a systematic process of diagnosis, disassembly, cleaning, inspection and replacement of worn components, reassembly, and thorough testing, with the aim of restoring it to optimal performance and preventing future failures.

Depending on the complexity of the repair, the availability of spare parts and the level of testing and diagnostics required. This means that hydraulic repairs generally take a few days to several weeks.  Our highly skilled team ensures the swiftest turnaround time feasible for your repairs.

Determining whether a hydraulic pump or motor has failed involves observing symptoms such as unusual noises, leaks, overheating, and decreased or erratic performance. While these signs can overlap, understanding their specifics can help differentiate between a pump or motor issue.

To determine if an excavator’s hydraulic pump or motor is at fault, you can perform several tests, including:

• Visual Inspection
• Check Hydraulic Fluid Levels and Quality
• Pressure Testing
• Flow Measurement