User Tips for Hydraulic Pumps

Holmatro’s Top 10 Tips to ensure Safe, Reliable & Durable use of your Hydraulic Pump!

1. Before use, check the oil level in the tank, as measured from a horizontal surface.

• Fill the oil tank exactly up to the level mark.
• Regularly replace the hydraulic oil at least once a year.
• Use hydraulic oil with a viscosity of 36. When you want to use the pump at temperatures under -10 °C, replace the Holmatro advised hydraulic oil with a hydraulic oil with a viscosity of 15.

2. Before use, check the fuel level, as measured from a horizontal surface.

• Make sure there is sufficient fuel in the tank to prevent sudden motor failure when using the hydraulic tool.
• Fill the fuel tank to the indicated level. Never overfill in connection with aeration.
• Never add fuel when the motor is running.
• Do not use dirty fuel and ensure that no dirt, dust or water enters the fuel tank to prevent damage to the motor.

3. Use the proper type of hydraulic pump. Not all pumps are suitable for control by all hydraulic tools. It depends entirely on the oil volume and the number of valves!

Use a pump with a sufficient volume of oil (tank content) for controlling the tools. Minimal effective tank volume of the pump:

• = (oil content of cylinder 1 + 2 + …) x 1.2 (safety margin). Choose from hand, foot, air, electrical, gas, or diesel-driven pumps:
• Hand, Foot pumps: suitable for smaller hydraulic tools, such as a cylinder. With double-acting tools (hydraulic return), a double-acting valve must be fitted on the hand pump.
• Motor, Petrol pumps: depending on whether tools are single or double-acting, a single-acting or double-acting valve must be fitted on the motor pump.

4. With a double-acting tool, always connect both couplings of the pump

This allows a flow of incoming oil and a flow of outgoing oil. The principle underlying a double-acting or hydraulic-return tool is that the in- and out-strokes of the plunger are controlled by oil pressure. On the out stroke of the plunger, the incoming flow of oil passes through the lower coupling into the lower chamber of the cylinder housing, and this presses the plunger upward.
Oil in the upper chamber must escape to make room for the incoming oil. This outgoing flow of oil passes through the upper coupling into the tool back to the pump. The oil flow process is exactly the reverse on the in-stroke of the plunger. If the pump only has one coupling, it is not compatible with a double-acting tool.

5. Always screw the coupling tight with the hand until you cannot see the thread between both coupling halves

Do not use spanners or other tools to tighten the couplings further. If you cannot tighten the coupling sufficiently by hand, it is possible that the thread is damaged or there is residual pressure in the hydraulic system.

6. Avoid damaging the system

• Protect all parts of the hydraulic system from sparks when carrying out welding or grinding work to prevent leaks.
• Never lift the pump using the coupling or hose. Always use the handle fitted for that purpose or the hoisting eyes.
• Prevent damage to the hydraulic hose arising from kinks, knots and pinching. Such damage can give rise to leaks.

7. Make sure the pump is placed on a stable surface

So that it cannot roll away or tip over during use.

8. Always release the pressure from the system before you disconnect the hose or tool!

This allows the couplings to be unscrewed by hand and prevents residual pressure remaining in the system, which might have negative effects during subsequent use.

9. Keep the system clean

• Prevent dirt in and on the couplings. Screw the coupling dust caps to each other before using the system and clean them afterward.
• Painted, plastic and rubber parts are not resistant to corrosive acids or liquids. Use plenty of water to rinse off all parts that come into contact with strong acids or liquids, except for electrical components.
• Thoroughly dry off the pump after it has been used in wet conditions. Apply a thin layer of preservation oil on the white or black parts to prevent the formation of rust.
• Store the pump horizontally in a dry, well ventilated room.

10. Carry out maintenance on the pump regularly.

All brands of hydraulic pumps can occasionally malfunction or become defective over the course of time. Regular maintenance is required, as well as an annual test (inspection) by an expert* to ensure that tools remain usable and safe for as long as possible.