Preventive measures for oil leakage in small excavators

1. Composition of small excavator hydraulic system

The hydraulic system of a small excavator usually consists of four parts. The first is the power element hydraulic pump, which converts the mechanical energy of the prime mover into hydraulic energy. Common ones include gear pumps, vane pumps, and plunger pumps; the second is the actuator hydraulic motor and hydraulic cylinder, which convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy to drive the working device; the third is the control element-hydraulic control valve, which controls the pressure, flow and direction of the oil; the fourth is the auxiliary element-oil tank, hose, etc., which are mainly used for the storage of hydraulic energy, the connection and sealing of the oil circuit, the filtration, heating and cooling of the oil.

2. Determination method and benchmark for oil leakage in small excavators

The oil leakage of the hydraulic system seriously affects the safety of the small excavator system. It not only causes waste of oil and pollutes the surrounding environment, but also reduces production efficiency, increases production costs and causes contamination to the machine body. Therefore, the oil leakage problem of the hydraulic system must be strictly controlled to improve work efficiency and extend the service life of the machinery.

3. Causes and preventive measures of oil leakage in small excavators

There are three main factors that lead to oil leakage in the hydraulic system of small excavators: first, the oil pipeline joints are loose due to vibration and impact; second, the oil temperature is too high during the operation of the small excavator, which causes chemical reaction to the sealing rubber and causes deterioration; third, the seals and related accessories wear each other. Therefore, to prevent leakage of small excavators, the following points should be achieved:

1. Reduce vibration and buffer impact

During the operation of small excavators, shock-absorbing brackets should be used to fix the oil pipelines to buffer vibration and impact, or pressure control valves should be installed to protect system-related components. At the same time, the number of pipe joints used should be minimized or the joints should be welded and connected. Try to use oil return blocks instead of various pipes. According to the maximum pressure used, the torque of the bolts and the plug torque used during installation are specified to prevent the joint surface and seals from being eroded; correctly install the pipe joints. In addition, the characteristics of the permanent deformation of rubber parts under compression should also be considered when designing the structure, and this part should be considered in the design of rubber pipe parts in advance.

2. Prevent chemical deterioration of sealing rubber

Premature deterioration of seals is generally caused by excessive oil temperature generated by mechanical operation. For every 10℃ increase in the temperature of the hydraulic device, the life of the seal will be reduced by half. Therefore, it is necessary to reasonably design an efficient hydraulic system or set a forced cooling device to keep the optimal oil temperature below 65℃; engineering machinery is not allowed to exceed 80℃. In addition, during use, attention should be paid to the compatibility of oil and sealing materials. The type and material of hydraulic oil and seals should be selected according to the instruction manual or relevant manuals to solve the compatibility problem and extend the service life of the seal.

3. Prevent wear of seals and related accessories

Most seals are precisely designed. If the seals are processed properly, installed correctly, and used reasonably, they can ensure long-term relatively leak-free operation. In application, the side load on the piston rod and drive shaft seal should be eliminated; the piston rod should be protected with dust rings, protective covers and rubber sleeves to prevent impurities such as abrasives and dust from entering. At the same time, a suitable filter device and an easy-to-clean oil tank should be designed to prevent dust from accumulating in the oil.

The hydraulic transmission of small excavators is closely related, and its development is mainly based on the application of hydraulic technology. Its structure is mainly composed of engine, hydraulic system, working device, walking device and electrical control.

Due to the harsh working conditions of small excavators and the complex actions required to be achieved, it has high requirements for the hydraulic system, and oil leakage of hydraulic small excavators is a common fault. Therefore, determining the oil leakage of hydraulic small excavators is a major part of maintaining the stable operation of small excavators.

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