What to consider before you buy a hydraulic power pack
The benefits of hydraulic power have long been known, reflecting its simplicity and reliability, making it ideal where weight needs lifting or force needs applying. These days, hydraulic systems come in a large range of sizes and capabilities, so here are a few things to look out for.
Size.
A hydraulic power pack can come in one of three sizes, standard, mini, or micro. A standard hydraulic power pack will generally be a static factory or workshop-based unit unless mounted on wheels or the back of a vehicle if the chassis permits. With a working pressure of up to 700 bar, these are heavy-duty units.
A mini hydraulic power pack can be mounted on wheels more easily than the standard variants and will typically have a maximum pressure of 350 bar. Micro units are very portable and come in a variety of size options. A good selection of the options available can be seen here www.hydraproducts.co.uk.
For a longer read on hydraulic power, resources can be found here:
Powering a hydraulic power pack.
There are three possible sources of power for a hydraulic power pack, electric, combustion engine, or air-driven. Factory or vehicle-based units tend to use electricity to power them, while on-site use will often be petrol driven, especially in places without a power source. This can be especially true in construction work.
Finally, there is the air-driven option for workplaces that have a pneumatic circuit already in place. As we can see, all of them have pros and cons. It is vital that the manufacturer’s specification is checked against any process you have in mind for it and also bear in mind the load weights given in the specification will be the maximum, so never try to overstep this.
Always choose a machine that is within the capabilities that you expect from it. The portability factor should be taken into account too and if it’s for static use, an area where it can safely be used should be planned before purchase, taking care to check any health and safety regulations.
