When your hydraulic pump overheats, it’s more than just an inconvenience – it can grind your operation to a halt. Let’s explore the common causes behind a hydraulic pump overheating, the risks it can cause for your equipment and team and how to prevent it.
Causes of an Overheating Hydraulic Pump
An overheating hydraulic pump can be caused by a variety of reasons, including excessive pressure or friction, cooling issues or problems with the hydraulic fluid. Here are the most common causes:
Fluid Contamination
If contamination enters the hydraulic system, it can lead to friction and wear and tear on internal pump components. Dirt, debris and water can clog filters and lead to hydraulic pump overheating problems, causing an array of maintenance headaches.
Excessive Pressure
Operating the system at high pressure for long periods can cause the system to overheat. This often happens when pumps are used for heavy-duty jobs without time to cool down.
Cooling Issues
Overheating is likely to be caused by issues with your pump’s cooling system. A faulty heat exchanger can prevent the system from getting rid of heat sufficiently, which can lead to improper airflow.
Inadequate Fluid Levels
Your hydraulic pump overheating may also be caused by insufficient fluid levels, which can mean your system struggles to dissipate heat. Air bubbles can form and collapse, generating more heat and damaging the pump.
Overloading the System
Operating the system beyond its capacity can lead to overheating, causing component failures that may be irreversible.
Importance of Fixing an Overheating Hydraulic Pump
It goes without saying that an overheated hydraulic pump will disrupt your production line. Downtime not only presents long-term issues to your workflow, but also leads to higher costs as you pause operations to fix the problem.
An overheating pump can also cause serious health and safety issues, putting your people at risk. Hydraulic fluid is often flammable, and if it leaks onto a hot surface, a fire or explosion is a possibility. Overheating can also cause burn injuries and slips and falls due to leaking fluid.
If an overheated pump isn’t fixed properly, it can lead to downtime or a full system flush. This is why it’s recommended to get regular maintenance checks for your hydraulic pump, so you can rest assured that your equipment is working exactly as it should be.
How To Stop Your Hydraulic Pump From Overheating
The key to maintaining safe and consistent operation of your hydraulic pumps is to conduct regular checks. This keeps everything in working order and ensures your equipment performs within safe and compliant standards. Here are a few maintenance checks you can do to prevent your hydraulic pump overheating:
- Maintain proper fluid levels and make sure the fluid reservoir is filled to the correct level
- Ensure proper cooling and make sure airflows are open and not obstructed
- Arrange regular maintenance checks of pumps, ideally from a trusted service partner
- Allow machines to cool down after excessive use
- Check there’s no fluid contamination, like sludge or water, and replace the fluid when necessary
Addressing these potential causes through proper monitoring and maintenance can prevent your hydraulic pump overheating and keep your operations running around the clock. If you’ve attempted these practices and your hydraulic pump is still overheating, it’s best to contact CJ Plant for our hydraulic pump repair services.
How CJ Plant Can Help
We understand that downtime can be devastating for operations, leading to hydraulic pump or motor repairs. For dedicated repairs of your hydraulic pump, contact our team to organise fast, reliable hydraulic repair solutions. We provide a free strip and inspection, followed by a detailed report and a no-obligation quote for any remedial works required.
All of our work is covered by a 12-month warranty and our skilled engineers ensure all units are repaired back to OEM specifications. Call us on 01527 870 793 or fill out our quick contact form with information on what services you need.