The Basics by Curtis Von Fange Hydraulics was one of the greatest inventions for helping man compound the work he can do. It s amazing how a little floor jack can lift tons and tons of weight with just the flick of a handle. What s even more amazing is that all the principals of hydraulic theory can be wrapped up in such a small package. This same package applies to any hydraulic system from the largest bulldozer to the oldest and smallest tractor. This short series will take a look at the basic layout of a simple hydraulic schematic and then give some maintenance tips for long operation.
All hydraulic systems start with oil.
Oil is the lifeblood of the beast. Since oil is a liquid it cannot be compressed. That means it will flow and transmit power virtually anywhere. As with any fluid this form of power transmission needs to be channeled and told where to go. In simple terms that is what a hydraulic system does.