Essential Preventative Maintenance for Your Hydraulic Press

Manufacturing presses are a big investment, and an important part of your business. Preventative maintenance not only keeps your press in good working order, but it also helps to extend the life of the machine. These essential preventative maintenance steps will help keep your press in great condition.

Essential Preventative Maintenance for Your Hydraulic Press

Some preventative maintenance steps are helpful for all types of presses, while others are important just for hydraulic presses. When performing preventative maintenance on your presses, a few tips can help make these processes easy, safe, and consistent. First and most importantly, be sure to follow lock out, tag out protocols before beginning work on any press equipment.

• Lock out, Tag out: Lock out, tag out procedures (LOTO) save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of injuries every year. Before performing any maintenance, use LOTO procedures to prevent the machine from accessing power. The lock-out devices should only be installed and uninstalled by qualified and trained employees or subcontractors.
• Clear Instructions: Preventative maintenance procedures should be clear and direct. Written instructions and training should be provided, so employees know how to best maintain the machine.
• Clear Schedule: A clear schedule can provide consistency and ensure maintenance is performed regularly.

Hydraulic presses are extremely powerful and can provide smooth functionality for decades with the right maintenance. Many of these steps involve cleanliness and simply inspecting parts for problems. These regular inspections can help you find a small issue before it becomes a big one. Let’s take a look at preventative maintenance steps to perform regularly.

Maintain Hydraulic System and Fluid

Hydraulic fluid is critical for hydraulic presses. Without the right level of hydraulic fluid, the press will not operate properly. Maintaining the hydraulic fluid hoses, seals, and reservoir is arguably the most important preventative maintenance step for hydraulic presses. Not only is hydraulic fluid essential for operation, but leaks can also be dangerous. Regularly checking the fluid levels and the condition of hoses and seals will keep your press in good condition and maintain a safe working area. Periodically changing out the hydraulic fluid and filter, and replacing fluid that may have become dirty with use over time will also help ensure smooth and consistent performance.

• Hoses or Pipes: The hoses or piping that moves hydraulic fluid through the machine should be free of damage or signs of wear.
• Seals: Any external hydraulic seals should be checked for damage. If cracked or loose, they should be re-sealed or replaced. Any internal hydraulic seals should be checked if leakage or loss of hydraulic power is present
• Fluid levels: The guidelines provided by the hydraulic press’s manufacturer should show what type of oil the press should use, and how much. If the oil level is too high or too low, it will affect the press’s operation.
• Fluid temperature: The manufacturer’s guidelines will also specify the optimal and acceptable temperature range for the hydraulic fluid. If the fluid’s temperature is outside this range, it will also affect performance.
• Prevent cavitation: If pressure in the hydraulic system drops suddenly, cavitation can occur. Bleeding the press can eliminate cavitation, but this process must be conducted carefully. Be aware of the signs of cavitation, such as erratic operation, overflowing oil reservoirs, a whining sound, or inadequate pressure.
• Hydraulic Pumps and Motor: Problems with the hydraulic pumps or motor may cause an abnormal sound or excessive heat that will signal an inspection is needed. If you have noticed potential issues coming from your hydraulic pump or motor, you will want to have your press inspected by a qualified hydraulic system technician, or by the manufacturer if the machine is still under warranty.

Clean Surrounding Areas

Clearing dust and debris from the work area around the hydraulic press daily can seem like a tedious task, but it can go a long way towards extending the life of your press. Dust and debris can quickly stick to the press’s many moving parts and create friction, which will wear down the parts over time. Keeping the area clean and preventing the build-up of dust is a regular task that will improve the everyday operation of the press, and also make it last longer.

Lubricate Parts

Proper lubrication is essential for any press, and it’s an especially important preventative maintenance step for hydraulic presses. Remember that over-lubrication as well as under-lubrication can both be problematic for the press, so pay careful attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This should be clear to the employees maintaining the press, and training should be provided for operators to know and understand the optimal lubrication levels.

Tighten Fasteners

Hydraulic presses generate literal tons of force, and these heavy impacts can also generate intense vibrations which can loosen fasteners over time. Regularly check the nuts and bolts around the press, and make sure they are secure. If a fastener is loose, tighten it. This will keep the machine operating smoothly, and it will also prevent small parts from getting caught in the press.

Check Cooling Systems

Cooling systems such as fans, heat exchangers, or water-cooled systems prevent the hydraulic press components from overheating during operation. Clogged filters or water with high mineral content can cause the cooling system components to clog or stop altogether. Regularly checking the cooling system will help to prevent clogs and make sure your system does not overheat.

Check Electrical System

Hydraulic presses require a high-voltage power source which must be wired properly. If electrical lines are frayed or damaged, or if the machine is not properly grounded, it can create hazards. Check electrical lines and plugs for damage, and make sure they are out of the way.

Regularly performing these preventive maintenance steps for hydraulic presses can seem time-consuming, but these steps will help to prevent expensive downtime and costly repairs. Make sure press operators or maintenance staff know how and when to perform these tasks, and know what to look for to identify problems. If you suspect your press has an issue or it isn’t performing as well as you’d like, contact us. We can help you identify the issue and a solution.