How to effectively extend the service life of piston pumps

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As hydraulic pump repairers, we should know how to extend the service life of a plunger pump and reduce the frequency of its repairs. Hydraulic pump repair technicians should focus on resolving various issues related to hydraulic pumps, with profit being a secondary concern. In the maintenance of hydraulic pumps, whether it is the repair of piston pumps or vane pumps, we first need to identify the problems and then address them. However, if faults can be nipped in the bud, why not do so? 　　The service life of a piston pump depends on factors such as regular maintenance, the quantity and quality of hydraulic oil, and the cleanliness of the oil. Preventing particles in the oil from causing wear to the friction pairs in piston pumps is also an effective way to extend the lifespan of axial piston pumps. When replacing parts during maintenance, it is advisable to use parts manufactured by the original manufacturer. Although such parts may be more expensive than counterfeit ones, they offer better quality and durability. If one chooses to purchase cheap counterfeit parts, it might seem like a cost-saving measure in the short term, but this can lead to problems and may cause greater damage to the axial piston pump. 　　Axial piston pumps that are fed by a make-up oil pump, after being in use for 3000 hours, require the operating staff to inspect them 1–2 times per day to check whether the operating noise of the hydraulic pump is normal. If the speed of the hydraulic cylinder decreases or the machine stalls, it is necessary to check the makeup oil pump for any issues; examine whether there are signs of scratches on the edges of the impeller, and check whether the clearance of the internal gear pump is too large. For self-priming piston pumps, the oil level in the hydraulic tank must not be below the lower limit indicated by the gauge; an adequate amount of hydraulic oil must be supplied. The higher the cleanliness of the hydraulic oil, the longer the service life of the hydraulic pump. 　　The most critical component of an axial piston pump are the bearings; if there is play in these bearings, it is not possible to maintain the proper clearance between the three pairs of friction pairs inside the hydraulic pump. This also reduces the thickness of the hydrostatic lubrication film that supports each friction pair, thereby shortening the service life of the pump’s bearings. According to the information provided by the hydraulic pump manufacturer, the average service life of the bearing is 10,000 hours; it is necessary to replace it with a new one once this value is exceeded. For the removed bearings, it is impossible to determine their clearance without specialized testing equipment; visual inspection is the only option. If scratches or discoloration are found on the surface of the rollers, they must be replaced. When replacing bearings, it is necessary to carefully note the manufacturer’s designation and model of the original bearings. Plunger pump bearings usually require bearings with high load capacity; it is best to purchase products from the original manufacturer that meet the original specifications. If a different brand is used, it is advisable to consult staff with experience in bearings to find an appropriate replacement, in order to maintain the bearing’s precision level and load capacity. 　　Axial piston pumps can also save energy by using frequency converters; in actual production processes, they usually operate under conditions where their performance is adjusted based on pressure or flow rate. When the actual pressure exceeds the required level, it is regulated through a relief valve, which keeps the system pressure stable by allowing excess pressure to be released. The motor remains in full-speed operation continuously to repeat the action, resulting in stable power consumption. The valve plate can have either planar or spherical valve distribution. For friction pairs with spherical valve distribution, when the scratches on the cylinder block’s valve distribution surface are relatively shallow, they can be repaired through grinding. When the grooves on this surface are deeper, it is necessary to first use surface engineering techniques to fill in those grooves before proceeding with grinding; blind grinding should be avoided to prevent the copper layer from thinning or oil leakage from occurring. 　　When overflow is allowed to be used to regulate pressure and flow, some of the excess flow returns to the original system, resulting in a low efficiency of the plunger pump and poor performance. By using the Chuangjie energy-saving frequency converter, the overflow valve can be kept closed, and the frequency converter can automatically adjust the operating pressure to maintain stability in it, while also actively monitoring the pressure of the equipment. Achieve active control to save energy consumption. The greatest advantage of this adjustment method is its ability to reduce the operating energy consumption of axial piston pumps, with power savings of over 30% possible. 　　We always keep the maintenance of plunger pumps in mind and carry out proper daily upkeep of them. The reason for a plunger pump having a long service life is certainly not its high quality, but rather the presence of an operator who knows how to take good care of it and maintain it properly!