Last year went by quick - we talk about it every year, but it felt like it went from February to November in the blink of an eye and on through the holidays and the end of the year. Granted, we were busy and when you're busy time always seems to move more quickly.

Although we didn't hit our budgeted sales goal for 2019, we did manage to beat 2018's sales number to achieve Hydra-Tech's best sales year ever. We shipped orders all over the United States and all around the world. In the 12 years at our current location we have averaged export sales of about 20% as a percentage of total sales. We appreciate our customers' loyalty to our products and the service we provide.

The other major thing that Hydra-Tech accomplished in 2019 is that we increased our manufacturing space by 44% - adding 8,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space to the 18,000 square feet we have been working out of since moving the business to its current location in September of 2007. With ever increasing sales volume over the last 4 years, one of the challenges that we have faced was space. Our new space will be a combination of warehouse space and manufacturing space that will allow us to increase efficiencies related to our production.

We're three weeks into 2020 and yes- it seems to be moving faster than 2019 already. But we have big goals. 3 trade shows, and lots of customers to satisfy. The World Pumps Us for Solutions - and we have to be on our toes and ready to find solutions for those customers new and old.
The “heavy” side of a hydraulic motor and what that means.
The hydraulic motor. It works hard to convert the flow and pressure of hydraulic oil into work. In the case of Hydra-Tech’s dewatering pumps, this work is pushing a column of water out the discharge and through the hose / piping to its intended destination. 
 
Every hydraulic motor has a pressure inlet and a return outlet (and sometimes a case drain port – but that’s a subject for another time). At Hydra-Tech Pumps we try to stamp P for pressure and R for return on all motors on all pumps built, and on all motors sent as spares. Hydra-Tech Pumps does use some hydraulic motors on our pumps that are bidirectional and the direction in which the impeller spins is determined by which port you connect pressure to. This too is a subject that we will cover in another blog.
 
In this post we’re going to focus on unidirectional hydraulic motors which are the majority of what we use on our pumps. These hydraulic motors are not symmetrical , and as you will see below, we reference the heavy side of the motor (as you look at the back of the hydraulic motor). Knowing which port is the pressure inlet and which port is the return port is important, as switching the pressure and return will result in many potential problems from spinning the impeller in the wrong direction, spinning the impeller off of the shaft, and blowing motor lip seals and mechanical seals while dumping lots of hydraulic oil into the body of water where you are pumping.
 
To help avoid such problems, when you buy a complete system from Hydra-Tech Pumps the quick disconnects / oilfield connections from the pressure connection of the HPU reservoir to the pressure inlet of the pump’s hydraulic motor and return connection from the pump’s hydraulic motor back to the return connection at the HPU oil reservoir are set up to prevent misconnection.
 
The following statement is true except for the hydraulic motors we use on most axial flow pumps, all 6000 series pumps, slim line pumps, screw pumps, and the S3CML, S3CHL, S4CHL, S8T and S10T. To help yourself deal with a problem in the field, there is a way to tell, on a hydraulic motor used on any Hydra-Tech Pump with a unidirectional hydraulic motor – it has to do with what we refer to as the heavy side of the motor. If you needed to identify the inlet (pressure) and return ports of a motor for any Hydra-Tech Pump (except for exceptions listed above) you would refer to the following drawing:
This drawing is on our website at https://hydra-tech.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Motor-Port-Orientation-.pdf  There are many other helpful technical and troubleshooting references at www.hydra-tech.com that answer common questions and provide support to our customers. Please check out:
 
 
Our Pump and HPU Troubleshooting Guides:  https://hydra-tech.com/support/trouble-shooting/

Pump of the Month - S4T
Hydra-Tech’s S4T, four inch hydraulic drive submersible trash pump is very versatile with its rugged, compact design and the ability to pass large solids. The S4T is designed to tackle many jobs which can range from construction site dewatering to sewage and slurry pumping. This pump operates with our HT20 to HT25 power units, or other hydraulic power sources capable of flows of 10-15 GPM and pressure up to 3000 psi. . The S4T delivers output flows to 800 gpm and heads to 110 feet. The safe and variable speed hydraulic drive can be used where electric power is hazardous or impractical. 
Upcoming Events:
Come and visit Hydra-Tech Pumps at WWETT 2020
From the show website:
“ The WWETT Show - Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show - is the world's largest annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals. The event offers an unmatched educational program, a full slate of live demos, an array of networking opportunities, and an extensive expo floor where buyers and sellers come together to see and experience the latest product innovations and technology."

Schedule for the week:
Monday, February 17
Registration (Hoosier Lobby)......................................................9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Education Sessions....................................................................1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
 
Tuesday, February 18
Registration (Hoosier Lobby)...................................................6:30 am - 5:00 pm
Education Sessions..................................................................7:30 am – 11:30 am
Marketplace Expo.....................................................................9:00 am – 5:00 pm 
WWETT Live! @ Lucas Oil Stadium.......................................11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Education Sessions...................................................................1:30 pm - 5:30 pm 
The WWETT Show Industry Appreciation Party @ Lucas Oil Stadium……………………………………………………………..5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 
Wednesday, February 19
Registration (Hoosier Lobby).............................................7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Education Sessions...........................................................8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Marketplace Expo.............................................................9:00 am – 5:00 pm
WWETT Live! @ Lucas Oil Stadium...............................11:00 am – 3:00 pm
 
Thursday, February 20
Registration (Hoosier Lobby)...........................................7:30 am – 1:00 pm
Education Sessions........................................................8:00 am – 12:00 pm
In the Round Dewatering Tour.......................................9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Marketplace Expo...........................................................9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hydra-Tech Pumps | Nesquehoning, PA | PH: 570-645-3779 | www.hydra-tech.com