It’s about time we talked — no, not about how much time you spend on your phone — that’s between you and the sales manager. You and I need to talk about your customer service and communication. I’ve been in the game long enough to have communicated with thousands of customers and fellow sales professionals,…

The term hydrostatic refers to the fundamental concept we hold dear in fluid power, which is that confined hydraulic fluid under pressure exists in equilibrium and balance. Although hydraulic fluid does no more than hold objects stationary without the active application of force through a pumping device, the concept is entirely different than hydrodynamics, which […]

Spring is around the corner, although if you’re located near the Great Lakes, you might need convincing that winter ever came this year at all. Regardless, the page on my desktop calendar is March, which makes a perfect time to schedule a spring maintenance session for your industrial hydraulic equipment. Even if you enjoy a…

I’ve written much about pressure lately, discussing subjects such as the upper reasonable limits in hydraulics to shockingly high-pressure fuel injection systems. Regarding current or conceivable limits, I see no reason we can’t exceed 7,000 bar with commercially available machinery, such as water jet cutters. For the sake of simplicity and lower digits, I’m expressing…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic hoses are crucial in various fluid power industries, helping power heavy machinery and equipment by providing the very conduit through which hydraulic fluid flows. The integrity of these systems relies heavily on the proper connection and disconnection of hydraulic hoses, as mishandling hydraulic hoses can lead to severe accidents […]

Digital technologies allow for precise, highly responsive and efficient hydraulic control. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In the era of Industry 4.0, where the integration of digital technologies is transforming the manufacturing landscape, on-board electronic controllers play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and precision of hydraulic systems. These controllers, embedded within hydraulic valves…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor We don’t hear much anymore regarding sequence valves, and probably for good reason. A sequence valve is like a self-regulating inline relay that opens when work pressure overrides the spring setting. It’s a form of hydraulic automation that provides sequential operation for two or more functions using one fluid supply…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Technically speaking, hydraulic hose is often also industrial hose, but for the sake of this article, I will define what makes them different in both construction and application. We could call out industrial hose for its use in mobile machinery as well, although I’m not here to make beef, so […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor You may not know this, but I’m a straight-up car fanatic. There are as many car guy tribes as cars, and there are more ways to be into cars without bumper-sticker-level dedication to one brand. Me? I’m a Mazda guy who does the occasional track day, although I lust after […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Pneumatic cylinders are essential in various industrial applications, providing the mechanical force needed to move loads, automate equipment, and perform countless other tasks. However, pneumatic cylinders encounter issues that impede their performance like other machine components. When your pneumatic cylinder isn’t working as expected, it can lead to downtime, reduced […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic pumps are a fundamental component in hydraulic machinery and they play a pivotal role in ensuring everything runs with the force and reliability you expect from hydraulics. Over time, though, pumps might show signs of wear and tear, just like any other piece of equipment. And just like most…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Moore’s Law states that the number of transistors in a microchip doubles every two years, increasing computing power exponentially over time. It seems no other technology experiences such a rapid progression, especially considering how relatively young the semiconductor industry is. Fluid power provides us with no such rate of performance […]

Hydraulic piston pumps are the current standard for power, control and efficiency, but such a position in the hierarchy comes with more significant investment and responsibility. Piston pumps are expensive, complicated and involved compared to their lessor counterparts, such as the venerable gear pump. Inexpensive piston pumps still start in the four-figure range, and once…

If you’re a longtime reader, you know I like to stay positive, keep it topical and look to the future. I try to stay up on fluid power trends. With trends, we often have to endure excruciatingly boring pitches from factory sales professionals acting like their new blah blah blah system will revolutionize the breather…

By Josh Cosford,  Contributing Editor How long a hydraulic hose should last depends on many factors, not the least of which is who you ask. Some standards want to see hoses changed every few years, yet others are okay up to ten years (such as with the SAE). But do we even need to apply […]

Let’s square off in a squared circle to discuss why dynamic seals are never square. I suppose one could manufacture a square seal, but perhaps that would be more of a gasket. Either way, we’re pitting static seals against dynamic seals to see who comes out on top, and you may find yourself surprised by […]

Learn how hydraulics are used in maritime vessels and why hydraulics is the technology of choice. By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulics have played a vital role in various industries, and the marine sector is no exception. From small pleasure boats to large ocean liners, hydraulics are extensively used in a wide range of marine applications […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hose fittings, also known as hose ends, are critical components of hydraulic systems as they connect hoses to the system’s various fluid ports at the pumps, valves and actuators. There are two primary styles for hose end fittings: permanent crimped-on and field-serviceable screw-on, also known as reusable hose ends. This […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Before I begin, let me preface this article with my definition of “electrified.” It’s rarer to find a hydraulic machine with no electrical or electronic components, so electrified might be redundant. In this case, I’m discussing the motion control and automation side of hydraulics, where the electric more is more […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’re a regular reader of mine, you know how much I espouse the importance of filtration to keep your hydraulic system running reliably. Different machines require different filtration quality. Throwing a 3-micron filter with a 1000 beta ratio on your log splitter makes little sense. For those unfamiliar with […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Air hoses are vital for many pneumatics-heavy industries, serving as lifelines transporting air to power machinery and tools. However, leakage is a common and frustrating issue that often arises in many pneumatic distribution systems. Leaks hinder efficiency and lead to unnecessary energy wastage and increased operational costs. Thankfully, preventing pneumatic […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor If you’ve ever been (un)lucky enough to open up a 30-year-old hydraulic reservoir, you know how shockingly grimy they can be. I’ve seen 3 in. of sludge, filings and particles sedimentate enough to clog the suction filter. That hydraulic power unit had a return filter in addition to its clearly […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic systems play a critical role in various industries, powering heavy machinery and equipment with precision and efficiency. The performance and longevity of these systems heavily rely on the cleanliness and quality of the hydraulic fluid. Contamination in hydraulic fluid can cause significant damage to the system, resulting in reduced […]

Hydraulic fluid cleanliness is crucial for hydraulic systems’ reliable operation and longevity. However, while filtration is critical in keeping hydraulic fluid clean, it is not the only factor that impacts fluid cleanliness. This article will discuss some tips to ensure hydraulic fluid cleanliness aside from the obvious filtration itself. One of the most important steps […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Several standards for metric hydraulic fittings exist, including DIN 2353, ISO 8434-1, ISO 6149-1, and BS EN ISO 12151-2. Each of these standards has its unique features and specifications, which are essential to know. They ensure that the fittings used in hydraulic systems meet the required standards and are compatible […]