Hydraulic hoses frequently operate at high pressure and are regularly exposed to challenging environments. Without regular inspections and maintenance, therefore, hoses and fittings can quickly degrade, increasing the risk of unplanned downtime and sometimes posing a safety hazard to operators. The following five tips will help you extend the lifespan of your hydraulic hoses and maintain the overall health of your application.
Optimise Your Pneumatic Applications With Festo Air Preparation Systems
The performance quality of pneumatic applications relies heavily on the condition of the compressed air running through them. Incorrect system pressure, the presence of contaminants, and insufficient lubrication can all create inefficiencies and cause wear and tear on components. Festo air preparation systems are designed to produce cleaner, lubricated, and well-regulated air for your pneumatic systems, optimising their performance and efficiency. Read on to find out more:
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A Brief Guide To Hose Clips And Clamps
Safety and efficiency are the two golden rules of industrial fluid power system design. Hose clips and clamps are the key to achieving both, and are critical for avoiding safety issues like leaks, bursts, and equipment damage. This article provides a concise overview of all you need to know about these essential safety components, so read on to find out more.
The Evolution Of Sealing Technology In Fluid Power Systems
Hydraulic seals create a barrier to contain hydraulic fluids, and are therefore a foundational element of efficiency and performance in fluid power systems. Over the past century, innovations in hydraulic seal design and the sealing materials themselves have driven steady improvements in reliability, sustainability, and performance, and the process continues to this day. In this article, we will look at the latest advancements in seals brought about by modern fluid power applications and engineering standards.
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Variable Speed Pumps And Low Viscosity Fluids: Two Key Drivers Of Energy Efficiency In Hydraulic Systems
In recent years, several tools and methods have become available to fluid power engineers to improve performance and reduce energy consumption in hydraulic systems. Among these, variable speed pumps and low viscosity hydraulic fluids are two of the main drivers of energy efficiency – with benefits for both sustainability and operational costs. In this article, we explain how these two technologies are meeting the dual demands of operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
What Are Coiled Air Hose Reels Used For?
Coiled air hose reels streamline hydraulic hose management by reducing tangles within complex systems, and they also protect your hoses from damage, improving workplace safety. In this article, we will look at how to choose the right coiled air hose reel for your application.
Invest In Gates Hydraulic Hose Technology For Enhanced Performance
For over a century, Gates has been at the forefront of innovation and quality in the field of hydraulic hose technology, power transmission, and fluid power products. Founded in 1911, the business gained recognition through their innovative the-belt, which revolutionised the field of mechanical power transmission. Since then, Gates has expanded its product range to include a comprehensive selection of hydraulic hoses and couplings, and is a key player in the hydraulic sector.
Their latest product lines, the MXT and MegaSys hoses, exemplify this ongoing commitment to quality and innovation. Gates hoses are engineered to deliver precise pressure resistance and maximum flexibility, making them indispensable in environments where performance and reliability are crucial. The MXT line, for instance, is designed to be stronger, lighter, and more durable than many conventional hydraulic hoses, setting a new benchmark for performance and value.
Applications
Gates hydraulic hoses are used in applications across numerous UK industries, highlighting their versatility and adaptability. In farming, for instance, Gates hoses facilitate efficient fluid transfer in tractors, harvesting machines, and other mobile plant, maintaining smooth operations in variable environmental conditions. In the energy sector, meanwhile, where equipment must often endure extreme temperature and pressure variations, Gates hydraulic hoses provide the necessary resilience to deliver consistent performance without unscheduled downtime. Gates hoses are also used in manufacturing production lines and stationary machinery to minimise energy loss and enhance system efficiency.
Product Spotlight
The following products are a good example of recent performance-driven innovations in hydraulic hose technology:
- Gates MegaSys Hydraulic Hose: a strong, lightweight, flexible hydraulic solution for various applications. Offers improved pressure resistance and versatility.
- Gates MXT Wire Braid Hose: a high-performance reinforced hose for enhanced abrasion and impact resistance.
- Gates MXT Hydraulic Hose: an all-purpose hydraulic hose solution available for various applications, with a full range of couplings and fittings. Order from HydraStar today (before 2:30 PM) for next day UK delivery.
Performance Benefits
The performance benefits provided by Gates hydraulic hoses make them suitable for demanding operational conditions. For example, their improved durability makes them beneficial for construction and mining applications, where equipment and machinery is often subject to extreme wear and tear. Upgrading to Gates hoses can reduce downtime and replacement frequency, providing life-cycle-wide cost savings and efficiency gains.
Flexibility is another big benefit to investing in Gates hydraulic hoses. Designed for easy installation and adaptability, Gates hydraulic hoses streamline the process of operating and maintaining your systems, particularly in complex machinery setups. This adaptability is important for applications where machinery layouts may be intricate, and space for components is often constrained.
Ongoing improvements in materials science could lead to the development of hoses with even greater efficiency and durability profiles over the coming years, and Gates is expected to continue its role as industry leader, driving innovations and ensuring their products meet the evolving needs of the fluid power sector.
Find Out More
At HydraStar, we offer a wide range of Gates hydraulic hoses and supporting components at competitive prices. With over 50,000 products held in stock, we provide one of the most extensive and comprehensive catalogues of fluid power products in the UK. To find out more, please contact one of our experienced team by clicking here, or call us directly on 01353 721704.
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Advancements In Air Brake Couplings And Their Impact On Safety
Recent developments in airbrake coupling technology are reshaping the landscape of vehicle engineering. In this article, we will explore the safety and reliability of airbrake systems and their implications for heavy-duty applications.
What are Airbrake Couplings?
Airbrake couplings, alongside coil hoses, are core components in the airbrake systems used in many industrial trailers, lorries, and tractors. The couplings provide a secure connection between the air tubes and airbrake controls so that the braking system functions effectively to stop the vehicle. Couplings therefore have crucial safety implications for the vehicles and businesses that use them. This is especially the case in heavy-duty industrial, construction, and agricultural vehicles, where any failure of the braking system could cause the vehicle/trailer to crash or capsize.
How to Choose the Right Airbrake Couplings for Your Application?
Factors to look for in a good airbrake coupling include:
- Pressure rating – your coupling must be able to withstand the maximum pressure of the airbrake system to ensure safe and full stopping.
- Quality materials – the highest quality materials are essential for durability under load and resistance to corrosion, maintaining the integrity of your couplings over time.
- Reliability – the coupling should provide a leak-free, and secure connection to enable consistent braking performance.
- Ease-of-use and assembly – a good break coupling should be straightforward to assemble and disassemble in order to minimise vehicle downtime
So, What’s Changed and What’s Improved?
Improvements in design, materials, and performance have improved airbrake couplings in each of these areas. The enhanced performance of modern couplings, such as the components we offer at HydraStar, provide consistent and strong braking force, with better safety margins and peace of mind for fleet operators and vehicle designers alike.
The latest generation of couplings also benefit from better airflow management, which enhances the energy efficiency of your braking system and contributes to better fuel economy in large vehicles. With an eye on the shift towards smarter and more interconnected airbrake systems for industrial trailers, some manufacturers are now developing auto-coupling systems that integrate with the electronic control systems (ECS) used by many modern vehicles, improving safety and efficiency when connecting trailers to trucks. These systems automatically couple the trailer and connect/disconnect the airlines without needing any manual remote control or trailer modifications.
Airbrake Couplings and Coil Hoses from Hydrastar
At HydraStar, we provide a range of type C airbrake line couplings and airbrake coil hoses that meet DIN 74324/73378 quality standards for tractors, trucks, and trailers. All products we sell are manufactured in the UK to BS AU 138a:1980 standards, and are suitable for emergency and service lines, with or without self-sealing valves. Please get in touch with one of our friendly service team if you need support choosing the right components for your application.
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Improve Your Hydraulic Filtration with MP Filtri Products from HydraStar
Filtration systems play a crucial role in maintaining the performance of your applications and prolonging their lifespan by ensuring the cleanliness and efficiency of your hydraulic fluid. Of the filtration products currently on the market, some of the best are produced by our supply partner, MP Filtri. As a global leader in hydraulic filtration solutions, our partner’s innovations and pioneering components have set new standards within the fluid power industry.
This article looks at these advancements and examines the applications of MP Filtri products across various sectors such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.
Why is Hydraulic Filtration Important?
Unfortunately, hydraulic systems are inherently vulnerable to contamination from grease, organic matter, dirt, and other particles, which can increase friction within the system and lead to increased wear, loss of efficiency, and even system failure through overheating. Filtration systems remove particulates and contaminants from hydraulic fluid to maintain cleanliness and normal operations. High quality filtration systems are also sometimes needed to meet operational, energy efficiency, or environmental standards relevant to your industry.
MP Filtri: Leading the Field in Hydraulic Filtration Solutions
MP Filtri is a distinguished name in the hydraulic filtration industry, with a range of robust products and a strong focus on research and development, which enables the business to push the boundaries of hydraulic filtration technology and set new benchmarks for quality. Their range includes high-performance filters and smart contamination monitoring devices, helping to improve hydraulic system efficiency and reliability.
Their newest line of filters offers market leading contamination control, capable of capturing even the smallest particulates that could compromise your hydraulic fluid integrity. MP Filtri products are perfectly designed for machinery used in challenging outdoor environments, including mobile agricultural plant exposed to fluctuating weather conditions year-round, and construction plant exposed to the rigours of dust and vibrations on site.
Why Specify MP Filtri Products for Your Application?
1) Improved efficiency: MP Filtri’s filtration products help to reduce the energy losses often associated with contaminated systems. This improves your operational efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and reduces emissions, benefiting both your bottom line and sustainability goals.
2) Lower lifetime maintenance costs: effective filtration minimises wear and tear on your hydraulic components and wider application, increasing service intervals and decreasing the frequency of costly repairs. This can translate into substantial lifetime savings and reduced unscheduled downtime for your application and customers.
3) Greater equipment longevity: the longevity of hydraulic applications is often directly linked to the cleanliness of the hydraulic fluid. By keeping fluid contamination at bay, you can often notably extend the lifespan of valves, pumps, motors, and other components. This enhances your return on investment and supports more sustainable operations.
Find Out More
Click here to view our MP Filtri range of hydraulic filtration products, including MPF return filter assemblies, FHP pressure filter assemblies, suction strainers, visual indicators, filter elements, in line contamination monitors, and transmission components for hydraulic power units.
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The UK Fluid Power Sector In 2024: Looking Back On A Challenging Year With An Optimistic Eye On The Future
As we approach Christmas 2024, it’s fair to say that the past year has been a challenging one for the global hydraulics industry. High interest rates, stagflation, and continued global supply chain volatility have strained market dynamics worldwide, with repercussions for businesses operating in the UK. However, amid these challenges, the fluid power sector in the UK is demonstrating a strong commitment to technological innovation and resilience, carefully planning investments and technologies to drive future growth and overcome current challenges.
The Weight of Economic Pressures
The fluid power sector is integral to the success of hundreds of businesses in the ‘physical economy’, encompassing construction, agricultural, and manufacturing applications, as well as – increasingly – renewable power, as well. Many hydraulics manufacturers have, therefore, been severely impacted by the economic pressures of the past few years. In particular, high interest rates have increased the cost of borrowing for OEMS and have impacted the ability of end user businesses to invest in new hydraulic technologies and infrastructure.
The sector has also been impacted by elevated inventory levels. As a response to supply chain volatility and disruption, in 2023 many businesses responded by stockpiling materials and components, which this year has led to a slowdown in new orders in some parts of the sector. The current uncertainty about US import traffics and trade barriers is further complicating international supply chains for businesses that operate on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Silver Lining: Technological Advancements
Despite a challenging economic environment, however, the UK hydraulic sector has not stood still. Technological advancements in integrated solutions and electrohydraulics, in particular, are driving the capabilities and potential of a wide range of hydraulic systems. The latest generation of products from Gates, MP Filtri, Webtec and other market leading suppliers are improving the efficiency and performance of hydraulic components while also paving the way for more sustainable and environmentally conscious applications.
Electrohydraulic applications, for instance, combining elements of traditional hydraulic systems with electronic controls, are gaining traction due to their ability to enhance precision and reduce energy consumption. This year, a growing number of UK businesses and OEMs have integrated these systems into existing infrastructure, making operations more environmentally friendly and efficient. Innovations in sensor technology and data monitoring have also improved predictive maintenance for many fluid power systems, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of individual components.
Opportunities For Growth In 2025
The new Labour government’s focus on growth and infrastructure projects presents a strong opportunity for the fluid power sector. With initiatives aimed at increasing residential and commercial construction across the country, there is the potential for increased demand for advanced hydraulic systems. Also, the ongoing push towards more green technologies aligns perfectly with the industry’s shift towards more energy efficient and sustainable solutions. Many fluid power industry stakeholders are optimistic about the UK’s ability to position itself as a global leader in the hydraulics market in the year ahead.
Despite the hurdles faced by many businesses, there is, therefore, cautious optimism within the UK hydraulic sector as we look towards 2025. While the economic recovery from the pandemic and inflation crisis may be frustratingly slow and gradual, the strategic adoption of new technologies and a focus on sustainability have proven to be successful drivers of growth in adverse conditions. With uncertainty far from over, it is important for industry stakeholders to remain agile, adapting their strategies to evolving market conditions and customer demands.
What Next?
For information about our services and how we can help you strengthen the efficiency, sustainability, and productivity of your hydraulic applications, please contact Hydrastar today by clicking here.
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