Why Hydraulic System Warning Signs Can’t be Ignored

Presented by: Caterpillar of Australia Pty Ltd

When it comes to your Cat® machine, it’s fair to say that the hydraulic system does a lot of the heavy lifting.

You rely on it every day, on every job, to perform at its best.

And that’s why you simply can’t ignore it or take any chances with it. Preventative maintenance and regular visual inspections are important across every aspect of your equipment. And they are absolutely crucial when it comes to hydraulic components.

So, what are hydraulic component failure warning signs and how do you spot them? The more general, and obvious ones are overheating, excessive noise and vibration.

If you notice any of these indications, do not wait for them to get worse. A little downtime now could save a lot more of it later. 

The hoses are always a good place to find any tell-tale signs. They do a lot of work, so you have to expect them to take a bit of punishment.

Look out for wear, cracks and kinks in the hoses and if visible, get them replaced. There is no piece of valuable equipment in the world that’s worth risking over a failed hose.

And then, of course, there are the hydraulic cylinders themselves. Look out for any fluid leaks or rod damage, and, once again, take notice and act if you see any. 

So, there are few common indicators that you need to be vigilant about.

But there are things you can do to help prevent them from happening.

According to Daniel Moxon, Business Development Manager – Hydraulics, at WesTrac Cat, the best way to stay ahead of the game is with preventative maintenance and regular inspections.

“Your first and best port of call when it comes to keeping problems at bay is your Cat dealer. It’s what we do. We will plan out a service schedule based on what sort of equipment you have and what sort of work it will be doing.”

You can get a Customer Value Agreement (CVA) in place so that everything from total equipment maintenance to parts and services, to repair and replacement solutions for cylinders, valves, pumps & motors, to regular inspections can be taken care of. Your Cat dealer can tailor it to your needs so that you can focus on running your business.

“Scheduled Oil Sampling (S•O•S^SM) is another way you can get ahead of a hydraulics issue before it occurs,” says Daniel. S•O•S^SM is a routine check-up for your oil, coolant and fuel that delivers valuable insights you can use to prevent unexpected failures and unplanned downtime. One sample can reveal excessive wear, contaminated fluids, and other hidden issues. 

Using genuine parts and products is important. Cat hydraulic components are precisely designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of your equipment, making them the ideal choice. Cat fluids and filters are designed as part of a complete system to help reduce wear and ensure maximum component life. 

If any damage is identified, selecting the right repair or replacement option can save you time and money. Your Cat dealer offers a wide selection of cost-effective repair and replacement services* that range from basic and economical services, to full-component replacement using remanufactured (Cat Reman) or brand-new genuine Cat parts.

“All in all,” says Daniel again, “the best way to stay on top of your machine’s hydraulic system is to stay in touch with your dealer and don’t ignore the warning signs.

Your Cat dealer has a range of hydraulic repair and replacement solutions available to protect your machine’s hydraulic system. Speak to your dealer or visit cat.com/hydraulics-au to find out more.