Why an Experienced Hydraulics Technician Beats an Apprentice

Hydraulics is the science and practical application of fluids to perform work. Employing power produced by the flow of fluids has contributed to the invention of many hydraulic devices including gasoline pumps, vehicle brake systems, construction machines, airplane landing gear, and flight control systems, elevators, manufacturing production lines, mining equipment, oil refinery equipment, agricultural equipment, and many more.

The advantages of using hydraulic power include these:

• It provides an efficient method of multiplying force.
• It gives fast and accurate responses to controls.
• It is compatible with other means of control: electrical, electronic, and mechanical.
• It is simple and provides ease of installation and maintenance.
• It can provide constant torque at infinitely variable speeds.
• It provides predictable performance.
• It is economical, efficient, and dependable.

How Do Hydraulic Repairmen Learn Their Trade?

A hydraulics repairman could work in a factory, industrial environment, and shop, or he/she might support operations in each of those. A qualified repairman could disassemble, repair, and maintain hydraulic pumps, motors, hoses, cylinders, and deal with issues on many or all the hydraulic-based machines and systems in existence. For example, if a crane stops working a repairman would observe the equipment, operate diagnostic tools, review technical manuals to identify the problem, and then proceed with repair work.

To learn the trade, an individual should:

• Establish a good foundation by taking High School physics, science, math, and electricity courses.
• Pursue an associate’s degree in hydraulics and fluid power technology or engineering through a community college or technical school. Or obtain a degree in related fields such as HVAC or industrial systems.
• Continue to learn by reading and studying the structural designs of hydraulic systems.
• Attain a professional certification to become more attractive to more employers. For example, receiving the Industrial Hydraulic Technician Certification offered by the International Fluid Power Society demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, assemble, and repair industrial hydraulics systems. Other accreditations are available in fields like industrial or mobile hydraulics.
• Apply for an entry-level job in motor vehicle parts manufacturing companies, manufacturing, or farm equipment, for example, as a stepping-stone to gain valuable experience.
• Get further ahead by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fluid and power technology.

In addition to work experience in related fields, employers look for these qualities in an employee: strength and agility, a detailed orientation, manual dexterity, observational skills, and troubleshooting skills. Employers typically provide on-the-job training programs that allow beginning technicians to develop essential job performance skills.

7 Ways That Experience Plays a Role in Hydraulic Repairs

Hydraulic equipment of any type is depended on to perform its designed function. Because this equipment is often expensive, repairs and downtime can cost a company a lot of money. That is why it is important to have trained, qualified, and experienced technicians perform the work. As in any field, good results matter and so does experience.

A qualified hydraulics technician and hydraulics repair company will:

• Have years of experience, with honed knowledge and skills that deliver peak quality and efficiency of their work.
• Be properly licensed and insured.
• Understand the needs of the client. Familiarity with systems will allow them to effectively address the repair work or maintenance that is needed.
• Be able to pinpoint issues and quickly perform necessary work, thus reducing downtime.
• Be up to date with the latest and best approaches for repair and maintenance, along with the latest regulations and standards so that the machinery is fully compliant.
• Have the correct equipment and diagnostic tools to perform the work correctly.
• Have a well-developed sense of both safety and reliability as the work is performed.

An experienced technician will know how to:

• Keep hydraulic oil clean
• Undertake regular maintenance
• Rotate or alternate cylinders
• Maintain cylinder accessories
• Address possible hydraulic seal problems: oil contamination, high temperature, chemical erosion, and inadequate insulation

Meet our Senior Design Engineer

We sat down with Sapphire Hydraulics Senior Design Engineer to learn more about his path into the field of hydraulics and engineering. He has worked in this field for 13 years so far, and got his start in the Israeli Navy, where he held the position of diver and chief engineer. This led to many interesting opportunities, such as working as the supervisor for all underwater construction projects and designing the underwater excavator that was used to construct the largest port in Israel. This project, as so many often do, started out as a very hectic and involved endeavor, complicated by arguing and in-fighting. However, once everything started to come together and things were flowing, he says that it became a very fun project to be working on.

Once he was ready for a change, he moved to the United States, and then returned to school to get the proper certifications and licensing necessary to work in this industry stateside. This move has allowed him to work on a variety of projects here, and some of his favorites have been those that have allowed him to work on larger equipment, as well those projects that require him to update and overhaul entire hydraulic systems.

What Experience Does Sapphire Hydraulics Offer?

For reliable comprehensive service for your fluid power system, contact Sapphire Hydraulics, based in Houston, TX. We service customers throughout the Houston metro area with our mobile service units. As a full-service mobile repair company, our professional scope of abilities addresses all needs including repair, maintenance, emergency service, and high-pressure hoses. We also offer custom design and fabrication. Our experienced team can repair and re-manufacture hydraulic equipment and components across industries.

We have a staff of master technicians who are highly qualified with vast experience building, repairing, and engineering equipment and machines. Our mobile service units with our staff of hose technicians will design, assemble, install, and maintain your machinery any day, any time. You can count on our team to perform emergency services 24/7/365 and we can usually be on-site within one hour.

Sapphire Hydraulics offers a complete selection of hoses from top name brand manufacturers as well as custom-made hoses. We supply hydraulic fittings to meet your applications and the best choices in hydraulic hose guards. We are proud to be your complete hydraulic supply partner.