Your June newsletter is here!

Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a holiday widely known for fireworks, trips to the beach, and family BBQs! However, it is important to remember and celebrate the true meaning behind Independence Day and pay homage to America’s quest for freedom.

***Hydra-Tech Pumps will be closed on July 3rd to allow for our employees to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.***

Three technical questions answered.

What is the difference between a Fixed Hydraulic Pump and a Variable Hydraulic Pump?

Hydra-Tech Pumps uses a variety of different hydraulic pumps on their hydraulic power units – the choice of pump is typically determined by the customers’ needs. Hydraulic pumps that we use are either fixed displacement or variable displacement. So what is the difference between the two?

Fixed Displacement Pumps . Gear, vane and some piston hydraulic pumps deliver the same displacement per revolution and cannot be adjusted. Adjustability with a fixed displacement pump is done only with engine RPM. If you were to match a Hydra-Tech Pumps power unit to a pump or tool where the maximum potential flow and pressure of the HPU will not exceed the maximum hydraulic flow and pressure the pump or tool is able to use, there would be no need to adjust the hydraulic flow and pressure that the hydraulic pump on the power unit delivers.

Variable Displacement Pumps. Variable displacement piston hydraulic pumps can be adjusted to provide a range of flows and pressures (all determined / limited by the horsepower of the engine or motor that is driving it). If you were purchasing a hydraulic power unit to run multiple pumps (or other hydraulic tools) with a range of hydraulic requirements, having a variable displacement piston pump on your HPU is essential. A typical 74 horsepower diesel engine HPU with a variable displacement pump would be set up at Hydra-Tech Pumps for 30 GPM @ 2900 PSI. There are a number of Hydra-Tech pumps that will run at this flow and pressure, but if you had a pump or hydraulic tool that had a max flow and pressure of, for example, 20 GPM @ 2700 PSI, you could make adjustments to the piston pump to “reset” your HPU to run this piece of equipment. Keep in mind that this change would require a flow meter and some hand tools and is not something that is done by simply turning a knob or adjusting a setting in a control panel – this adjustment is actually altering the geometry of the displacement chamber which in turn affects the flow and pressure that the pump delivers.

What is the H.C. Valve?

Mounted on the side of the hydraulic oil reservoir on any standard Hydra-Tech Pumps Hydraulic Power Unit is the H.C. (or Hydraulic Control) Valve. The only exception to this is sound attenuated units. Since access to the hydraulic oil reservoir is limited, sound attenuated units do NOT have a H.C. valve. Think of this valve as an “on / off” switch for the hydraulic circuit on your HPU. Once an HPU has been started and warmed up and you are ready to send hydraulic fluid to a pump (or hydraulic tool) properly connected with hydraulic hoses, or deadhead the unit (troubleshooting), this valve should be turned all the way clockwise until the handle stops to engage the hydraulic flow. When you are ready to shut the system down, the H.C. valve should be turned all the way counterclockwise until the handle stops to shut off the hydraulic flow. This valve should not be used to attempt to control flow as doing so will generate heat and cause other problems. If you need to control flow or pressure, Hydra-Tech Pumps offers flow and pressure controls for their pumps and an adjustable inline flow control device as well.

S3TDI with flow control

Hydra-Tech Pumps "Hydratect" flow control manifold with built-in circuit protection

I want to source my own hydraulic hoses – what do I need to look for?

Note: We are talking specifically about the hydraulic hoses used to connect the pressure and return ports of the hydraulic power unit to the pump. If you were to replace a hydraulic line on the hydraulic power unit itself refer to the hose you are replacing and / or consult with the factory first.

There are lots of options when it comes to hydraulic hoses – there are 16 different SAE standards with some additional options within some of the 16. There were originally 19 but three (100R9 through 100R11) are no longer a part of the SAE standard. Most of the options from standard to standard are related to the following parameters:

Size.

Type of hydraulic fluid being used.

Working Pressure (Pressure Rating).

Temperature Rating.

Physical Makeup of the outer cover (as it relates to UV, chemical resistance, abrasion, etc.)

Type of end fittings that will be used, specifically, whether the installation of chosen fittings requires skiving (removal of outer casing of hose) before installation.

Conductive / Non- Conductive.

The majority of the systems that Hydra-Tech Pumps manufactures don’t exceed 3000 PSI and as a result we offer 100R12 and 100R17 hydraulic hose rated for 3000 PSI all with abrasion resistance covers. We believe that the hoses we supply offer a good mix of safety, durability, and wear and UV resistance for our customers and that they are good general purpose hoses for use with our pumps and hydraulic power units.

Pump of the Month - S6TC

Hydra-Tech’s S6TC, 6” hydraulic submersible trash pump is lightweight, compact and designed to easily pass through a 21" manhole. This versatile top discharge pump uses a high efficiency two vane closed channel impeller with adjustable wear surface.

The S6TC pump handles hydraulic inputs up to 28 gpm at pressures to 3000 PSI and will continue to move water at heads up to 125 feet. Beyond water, the S6TC can handle semi-solids measuring up to three inches. It is available in a durable ductile iron or lightweight aluminum casing.

More information...

Hydra-Tech Pumps | Nesquehoning, PA | PH: 570-645-3779 | www.hydra-tech.com