Which Industries Most Use Hydraulics and How Do They Benefit?
Hydraulic industrial equipment is so commonly used that it’s easy for us to overlook it. In fact, we see and experience the benefits of hydraulic equipment every day. The dependability of these systems make them a great tool for a number of different industries that affect our everyday lives.
Let’s pull back the curtain for a minute and shine some light on how hydraulic industrial equipment is utilized in many of the major industries we rely on every day.
Construction
Working in construction is difficult. There are a lot of heavy materials that need to be moved, aligned, and put together. Anybody who’s worked on a construction site will tell you that it gets tiring.
This is one of the many reasons construction sites make frequent use of hydraulic equipment. Everything from jackhammers to bulldozers operate with the help of hydraulic systems.
Think of trying to move a giant boulder out of the way so you can build a house. You’re not going to be able to push it. You can’t simply wedge a shovel underneath and roll it out of the way. Hydraulic systems allow for a lot of power in a relatively small space. This is why hydraulic industrial equipment is popular among construction site equipment.
Visit Air & Hydraulic Equipment, Inc. to learn more about hydraulic systems.
Landscaping
Dirt can become quite heavy. In fact, “one cubic yard of dry soil topsoil weighs about 2,000 pounds, while the same soil can weigh around 3,000 pounds when saturated” with water.
Landscapers, among many other services, work with a lot of dirt. Regrading a backyard can be a lot of work. Not only is it difficult to bring the dirt in, it’s also a grueling to spread the dirt to where it needs to go. Shipping in the dirt normally makes use of a dump truck, which makes use of a hydraulic pump to raise the box bed.
Steer skid loaders are frequently used to move large amounts of dirt, mulch, gravel, and plenty of other materials used for landscaping purposes. And these loaders are another example of hydraulic industrial equipment.
Automotive
The automotive industry makes use of hydraulics in all aspects of their production. This includes using hydraulic industrial equipment in the manufacturing stage as well as smaller hydraulic systems that help the car perform its everyday functions.
The most apparent hydraulic system in your car are the brakes. You can slow your vehicle by simply pressing down on the brake pedal. This is possible because hydraulic fluid creates pressure which activates the braking system on the wheels of your car. Hydraulics are also used in various pumps and motors.
The machinery that assembles these vehicles also makes use of hydraulic systems. Metal stamping is the method used for forming many of the parts used in the production of vehicles. Other hydraulic industrial equipment like hydraulic cylinders are used in automotive manufacturing.
Aerospace
Much like the automotive industry, hydraulics are used both in the production of airplanes and the machinery used to make them work.
These systems are used because they are very reliable. Hydraulic systems provide a high amount of pressure with a small amount of hydraulic fluid. This is why it’s used for such important aspects of the airplane’s functionality.
The landing gears and power assisted brakes both make use of hydraulic equipment, as does the machinery used to form many of the parts used in the construction of the airplane.
Entertainment
Hydraulic industrial equipment isn’t only used to keep people safe and assist in laborious processes. These systems can be used for fun, as well.
A visit to an amusement park is all you need to see how hydraulic systems can help people relax and have a good time. Roller coasters, ferris wheels, and many other attractions make use of hydraulics. These systems help keep the rides safe by providing reliable brakes. They also operate the lap bars that keep you in your seat.
The power generated by hydraulic systems keeps these rides moving, but with an added layer of security when compared to the use of pulley systems.
Water Treatment
Hydraulic valves are very important to creating a stable system within our water treatment plants. Hydraulic industrial equipment allows for greater control of many important factors. The direction of flow can be delegated by opening and closing strategic hydraulic valves. This forces the water through specific pipes for intentional reasons.
Another important aspect is the rate of flow. Hydraulic valves can dictate this. A lower rate means less water pressure which can be advantageous for different aspects of the water treatment process.
Traditional valves don’t provide the consistency and ease of use that is afforded by hydraulic valves. These important factors have made these valves a commonly used device in water treatment facilities all over the world.
