Hello truck drivers!
Today I would like to address a topic that may be of interest to many of you - the basic types of hydraulic kits. We can speak of power hydraulics when it is used to control various types of equipment, e.g: front actuator or sub-box for tipping, the hydraulic motor uses the pressure of compressed hydraulic oil. A number of hydraulic components, connected together in an appropriate manner, are responsible for the transmission of energy.
Hydraulic systems for tipping
When we talk about tipping hydraulics, words immediately come to mind: hydraulic pump, control valve, hydraulic oil tank, hydraulic hoses, adapters and seals, quick couplings and similar components. The collection of these components allows dedicated circuits to be made for specific purposes. Well-chosen components translate into efficiency and reliability that are certainly worth investing in. Hydraulics for tipping or moving floors or systems for unloading fuels and gases are like Lego bricks for adults. The end result will depend on which blocks we use and how we put them together. So, I invite you to join me on a short journey that will introduce us to the world of hydraulic systems, which I will talk about in the next episodes.
Basic types of hydraulic systems
In the hydraulic system cases I have analysed, we can distinguish between the basic types we encounter practically every day:
Single-circuit system
E.g. hydraulic system for tipping or commonly referred to as a kipping system or hydraulic system for a tipper trailer.
A single-hydraulic system is a type of hydraulic system that uses a single hydraulic oil circuit to transfer energy. In such a system, hydraulic oil is drawn from the hydraulic oil reservoir by a gear pump or piston pump and pumped through a high-pressure hose to the tipping control valve, and then the oil from the tipping valve is also fed through a high-pressure hydraulic hose to the tipping cylinder, such as the front cylinder, or the front cylinder on a semi-trailer or chassis, or the under-body cylinder.
After the work is done, the hydraulic oil returns via the same route to the hydraulic valve and from the valve to the oil tank. Of course, in addition such a system consists of quick couplings, air flirts, seals, adapters, pneumatic controls and several other components, but I will tell you about this in detail at another time.
Two-circuit system
E.g. for a movable floor or unloading of tankers.
A characteristic feature of this system is that there are two circuits of hydraulic oil; in such a dual-circuit system, the oil circulates in a closed circuit. The oil in such a hydraulic system is usually drawn in by a piston pump from the hydraulic oil reservoir via a suction hose and then distributed from the pump via a high-pressure hose to a proportional relief valve.
Specialist systems
There are also specialised, multi-circuit systems, e.g. for supplying cranes, hooking devices or gantry, drums and other hydraulically driven equipment where we have several supply and return lines. These types of systems have hydraulic sections and are often powered by two-section pumps or variable displacement pumps.
Summary
Each component of a hydraulic system has its own distinct function which, in combination with the others, allows a specific purpose to be achieved. The basic components of a hydraulic system, i.e. the parts used most often, are:
- pumps
- engines, power take-offs from the engine and from the gearbox
- valves, valve blocks, manifolds
- tanks
- filters
- hydraulic hoses and connection adapters, quick couplings
Hydraulics is the key to the smooth functioning of your hydraulic equipment on trucks. With correctly selected hydraulic hydraulics, you can be sure that your tasks will be completed quickly and efficiently. If you have any questions about the selection or installation of hydraulics for your vehicles, let us know in the comments!
