INTRODUCTION TO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

Learning Objective: Identify operational characteristics, component functions, and maintenance procedures of a hydraulic system.

The extensive use of hydraulics to transmit power is due to the fact that a properly constructed hydraulic system possesses a number of favorable characteristics. These are as follows:

Eliminates the need for complicated systems using gears, cams, and levers.

Motion can be transmitted without the slack inherent in the use of solid machine parts.

The fluids used are not subject to breakage as are mechanical parts.

Hydraulic system mechanisms are not subjected to great wear.

If the system is well-adapted to the work it is required to perform and not misused, it can provide smooth, flexible, uniform action without vibration and is unaffected by variation of load. Hydraulic systems can provide widely variable motions in both rotary and straight-line transmission of power. The need for control by hand can be minimized. In addition, they are economical to operate.