Common Causes of Hydraulic System Failures in Spider Lifts

Common Causes of Hydraulic System Failures in Spider Lifts

The common causes of hydraulic system failures in spider lifts mainly focus on three aspects: hydraulic fluid issues, component wear, and system contamination.

1. Hydraulic Fluid Issues: Abnormal "Blood" of the Hydraulic System

Hydraulic fluid is crucial for transmitting power in the hydraulic system, and its condition directly affects the system's operation.

Hydraulic fluid contamination: Mixing with dust, metal debris, or moisture can clog filters and scratch the inner wall of cylinders, leading to unstable pressure or stuck movements.

Insufficient hydraulic fluid level: When the oil tank level is below the standard line, the hydraulic pump will suck in air, causing cavitation, which results in noise and reduced power.

Degraded hydraulic fluid performance: After long-term use, the fluid's viscosity decreases and its anti-wear property deteriorates. Using non-specification fluid can also accelerate component wear and cause leaks.

2. Component Wear or Damage: "Organ" Failures of the System

Once the core components of the hydraulic system have problems, they will directly lead to functional failure.

Hydraulic pump failure: Wear of gears, vanes, or plungers inside the pump causes internal leakage, resulting in insufficient output pressure of the system. This makes the spider lift's boom unable to lift or move slowly.

Cylinder seal failure: Aging or damage to the seal ring of the cylinder piston rod leads to external oil leakage. It may also be accompanied by problems such as boom sinking and inability to maintain position.

Valve component jamming: Jamming of spools in directional valves, relief valves, and other valves by impurities causes abnormal movements (e.g., the boom cannot stop) or pressure loss of control (e.g., system overpressure alarm).

3. System Contamination and Pipeline Problems: Hidden Risks in Connection and Cleanliness

In addition to the contamination of the hydraulic fluid itself, external impurity intrusion and pipeline connection issues are also common.

Pipeline damage or loose joints: Aging and cracking of high-pressure pipelines, as well as damage to the gasket of joints, lead to hydraulic fluid leakage and cause system pressure loss.

Clogged filters: Long-term failure to replace suction filters and return oil filters blocks the circulation of hydraulic fluid, resulting in insufficient oil supply from the hydraulic pump and reduced system power.

Air entering the system: Improper operation during oil filling or loose pipeline joints allows air to enter the hydraulic fluid, forming air bubbles. This causes the actuators (e.g., booms, outriggers) to move with tremors and abnormal noises.

To sum up, faults in the hydraulic system of a spider lift are mostly "chain reactions" — oil contamination may accelerate component wear, while damaged components will in turn increase the amount of impurities in the oil. Additionally, pipeline issues can trigger both contamination and cavitation simultaneously. Therefore, daily maintenance should focus on "prevention first". For example, regularly checking the oil level and cleanliness, replacing filters and seals on a scheduled basis, and avoiding the use of non-standard oil can reduce the probability of faults at the source. If a fault occurs, it is recommended to first preliminarily identify the direction through the oil condition, leak points, and abnormal movement performance, then conduct professional testing to troubleshoot specific components. This ensures efficient maintenance and prevents secondary damage