Construction vehicles and equipment use hydraulic systems in many applications. Hydraulics help push fuel, increase pressure for arms on equipment, and even create the momentum in jack hammers. If a seal breaks in one of these systems it can be disastrous for the OEM, it could harm an employee, and it can break machines or vehicles. If a machine goes down the productivity goes down on the site, and a company could see a loss in profits if an essential machine becomes unusable. A good seal can prevent equipment failures, reduce downtime, and offer long-term savings in hydraulic systems. This is why having a dedicated seal manufacturer is essential for hydraulic equipment in the construction industry.
The High Stakes of Hydraulic Equipment in Construction
Some of the most critical pieces of equipment on a construction site rely on very pressurized hydraulic systems. Excavators, cranes, and loaders all use hydraulics to lift and move large quantities of material, or even other vehicles. Taking the crane as an example, if a seal fails if can not only break the crane completely, but the load it might be carrying will come crashing down and become unsafe for everyone working on the ground. The falling material might damage some of the project or add to the damage of the crane. This leads to very costly downtime for repair and maintenance.
Frequent seal failures have unruly consequences. The more often a seal fails in a system can increase the odds of total system failure. This results in unexpected maintenance, safety hazards, and decreased operational efficiency. There may be low-risk instances of using a cheaper rubber seal as a disposable item that can be more cost-efficient, but there are many pieces of equipment that would increase the return on investment of not only the seal, but the equipment.
OEMs should always look to build a good relationship with a reliable seal manufacturer for advanced sealing solutions. Having a dedicated supplier will give you chances to try new experimental seals, access to seal engineers who can help isolate problem and recommend solutions and gives you access to specifically designed seal shapes and combinations of polymers and elastomers to fit unique situations or niche hydraulic systems.
Lastly, new technological developments have created the ability for seals to have sensors imbedded into them. This modern advancement can give you much more accurate readings on temperature, pressure, and efficacy of certain seals. Having an extra level of data can help your seals, and equipment, last much longer if you can avoid a seal breaking or failing and ruining your equipment.
Understanding Why Seals Fail in High-Pressure Systems
Wear and Tear Under Extreme Loads – If you work with hydraulics, you know the main function of those systems is to create pressure and move things. Regardless of if it’s a piston, fuel, or air it uses high pressures to use those things. The higher the pressure, the wider the fluctuations, and the amount of use will all degrade a seal over time no matter what. No seal lasts forever. Seal wear and tear will increase if the equipment is used often and will inevitably degrade over time no matter the quality of seal. If it’s used, it wears down.
Environmental Factors – On a construction site there will be dirt, grime, dust, and chemicals. No matter what the job, there will be debris kicked up, something is being ‘constructed’ from the ground up. That dirt getting kicked up from work or in the wind may find itself blowing into the more delicate areas of your machines and getting lodged. That will tear away at the seal over time and risk failure. Also, depending on how hot the summer or cold the winter, the extreme weather may make conventional rubber seals swell or shrink leaving stretch marks or blisters.
Improper Installation and Material Mismatch – It sounds trivial, but setting the seal and lubricating it properly is the best way to ensure a seal will work. If a lip is poking out of its setting it will be ground away between metal components and threaten the integrity of the entire seal. Mismatching materials can be disastrous as well. If the hydraulic systems are pushing or pulling certain kinds of fuel it may diffuse into the seal if the polymers or elastomers aren’t correctly chosen for that chemical.
The Advantages of Partnering with a Dedicated Seal Manufacturer
Teaming up with a reliable seal manufacturer for advanced sealing systems offers a variety of benefits. Not only will you get consistent quality, but you will have access to their newly developed seal designs, advanced chemical compositions, and professional advice on installation and maintenance. If an OEM has a unique machine that produces specific products you may not have to change the seal out as often as your regularly used machines. A custom seal can be made specifically to last longer and need less maintenance.
Buying in bulk from a dedicated supplier can get your cost efficiency up resulting in long-term savings. Having to replace it less often and having less maintenance costs comes with investment into a higher quality seal for your machines. Fewer breakdowns mean less money spent on repairs. These higher-quality seals will also lead to the elongation of your equipment’s lifespan. A longer lifespan leads to longer productivity and more money in your pocket.
Dedicated seal manufacturers contribute expertise and continuous innovation. Mutual relationships can form with manufacturers recommending an experimental seal at a reduced cost to an OEM, and the OEM gets a leg up on the competition. Also, having experts that can walk you through installation, draw up guides for installation, and can keep an eye on fluid compatibility will help you manage your seals’ lifespans in your equipment. The ongoing research and development of a seal manufacturer can also help an OEM stay ahead with updated designs or updated polymer combinations. Having a good relationship with a supplier has almost no downside.
Conclusion: Investing in Quality Seals for Operational Excellence
To reiterate, partnering with a dedicated and reliable seal manufacturer will go a long way in your success. If a seal fails it could spell disaster for your machines. When metal rubs against metal it can end the operation of that equipment for a long period of time. Teaming up with a manufacturer who provides advanced sealing solutions ensure quality, reduces downtime, and drives long-term savings.
If you’re an OEM in the construction industry it would be a lucrative venture to team up with a dedicated seal manufacturer to save you time, money, and extend the life of your equipment on the job. Feel free to reach out to us anytime here at System Seals for any questions or advice on any advanced sealing problems you may have.
