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Without hydraulics, most EWPs wouldn’t be able to perform their most basic functions. From the boom extensions on a cherry picker to the stabilising outrigger legs on a spider lift, hydraulic power drives it all. Which is why hydraulic servicing on your EWP is critical.
Hoses, cylinders, pumps and valves working together under serious pressure. When one part of that hydraulic system starts to fail, it’s quickly clear. You’ll see things like a drifting boom, a sluggish-to-respond platform or a leak spreading beneath the machine.
Keeping your hydraulics in excellent operating condition is key to the reliability of your EWP fleet. That’s what the servicing department at Altequip is for. Today we want to take a look at the hydraulics side of your machine maintenance, so here’s what happens when you bring it to us for a service.
Hydraulic Faults Need a Proper Diagnosis
Hydraulic issues can stem from a number of different sources. Worn seals, failing cylinders, dirty or stuck valves, pumps losing pressure, or contamination through the circuit – these can all result in the same problematic symptoms your operator is experiencing.
A proper diagnosis is extremely important in getting to the root cause and dealing with it. You don’t want to misdiagnose the issue or swap parts thinking you know what the problem is. That will end up costly, and at the end of it the original fault could still be there.
Get the diagnosis right the first time and you’re not paying twice.
Step One: Fault-Finding and Pressure Testing
When fault finding, we find its best to leave assumptions at the door. Our EWP technicians will try find the fault by tracing it through the entire hydraulic circuit. They pressure-test it to pinpoint where it’s losing performance. They can then isolate which component is responsible.
This step also picks up contamination in the fluid. This is a common cause of hydraulic problems on older or heavily used machines. Contaminated fluid wears out seals and valves early, so picking up on it prevents further problems from developing.
Step Two: Repair or Rebuild
The right fix depends on the fault we uncover.
Cylinder Repair and Reseal
Worn or damaged seals inside a cylinder are a common cause of drift and slow response. We strip the cylinder down, replace the seals, and check the bore and rod for damage.
Pump and Valve Work
A pump losing pressure or a valve sticking affects how the whole machine performs. We overhaul or rebuild these components so the system runs at full pressure again.
Hose Replacement
Inspecting and assessing your hydraulic hoses is a big part of an EWP service. Faulty hoses are identified and replaced.
Flushing and Contamination Control
A contaminated system gets a full flush before we fit new components. That way the debris that caused the problem won’t affect new parts added.
Step Three: Load Testing
The system needs to be tested under load to confirm it’s holding pressure and performing the way it should. This isn’t about just checking for leaks – it’s about putting the machine through its paces to make sure the repairs hold. This isn’t only for peace of mind. Your hydraulic systems are safety-critical, and we won’t let any EWP out of our workshop that isn’t 100% safe and compliant.
Factory Backing on Socage Equipment
As the exclusive Australian distributor for Socage, Altequip has a direct line to Socage’s factory engineers in Italy for hydraulic issues on their spider lifts or truck-mounted cherry pickers. Our technicians are factory trained by Socage too, so your hydraulic system on your machine is taken care of by professionals with first-hand knowledge and experience.
One Workshop for Every Brand
Our servicing department isn’t restricted to Socage – we understand that businesses run mixed EWP fleets and you want one service provider to take care of them all. That’s what Altequip does. We can service hydraulic systems across all the major EWP brands, including Genie, Haulotte and Nifty-Lift. One workshop, one point of contact and one exceptional standard of diagnosis and repair. Find out more on our EWP servicing page.
Hydraulic Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Hydraulic faults rarely fix themselves. If you ignore them, problems will escalate and the repairs will only get more costly. Look out for these signs to nip them in the bud:
- Boom or platform drift when the controls are idle
- Slow or delayed response to controls
- Visible fluid leaks around hoses, cylinders or the pump
- Unusual noise from the pump under load
- A noticeable drop in lifting power
If any of these sound familiar, book your EWP in with Altequip. Our guide to the signs it’s time for a service covers the broader picture beyond hydraulics.
Book your EWP Hydraulic Servicing or Inspection
The Altequip EWP servicing depot is based in North Brisbane, at 110 Delta Street in Geebung. If you’ve got a problem with your hydraulics, book it in and our trained technicians will solve it for you. All brands, one workshop. Call us on 1800 762 243 or contact us here. Chat soon!
