5 Signs Your Hydraulic Pump is Underperforming

Hydraulic pumps are used in a range of industries, including industrial, truck, mobile and agricultural – just to name a few. Correctly maintained pumps can have long lifespans. However, noticing tell-tale signs of underperforming pumps can help stop lengthy delays with production halts should the pump fail. See below our top 5 signs which may suggest your pump is underperforming and may require hydraulic pump repair work.

Loss of drive/slow performance

If your hydraulic pump performance appears ‘sluggish’ this could be a sign there is something wrong. Lack of performance and efficiency usually indicates lack of flow, this may be highlighted through slow operation of the application.

Unusual noises

It is normal for a hydraulic pump to make noise, as it’s a working component. However, it shouldn’t make unusual sounds such as extremely loud banging or knocking noises. These types of noises usually indicate that there is air in the system or lack of fluid. This is a bad sign as starving the pumps of fluid can cause extreme wear and tear on the inners of a hydraulic pump thus decreasing the lifespan.

Leaks

If you notice fluid around the exterior of the pump this means that there has been an interior leak which could have been caused by number of issues such as internal cracking or faulty seals etc. It is important to get any leaks checked because leakage can result in reduced pressure and can cause slow performance.

High working temperatures

If the fluid running through the hydraulic pump reaches high working temperatures this can cause damage to the internal seals, causing leaks and cracks. High temperatures can also cause damage to the oil quality.

Vibration

Vibration of a hydraulic pump can be caused due to cavitation, aeration or sometimes re-circulation as a result of low flow. It is normal for pumps to vibrate slightly but excessive vibrating should be noted and looked at.  

If you think your hydraulic pump may be failing, we can offer a free inspection report and provide a quote for a repair or new unit. To contact our knowledgeable hydraulic engineers call us on 01924 332491, fill in one of our contact forms or drop into our trade counter at our central Normanton location.