Knowing how your loader works is essential to keeping it running smoothly. One part of your loader that you may not know a lot about is the hydraulic motor. Hydraulic motors are what keep your loaders running. But how do hydraulic motors work? What can cause them to fail? Let us take a deeper look at how the hydraulic motors in your loaders work.
Have Questions About Your Loader?
We Have Answers! Check Out Our FAQs.
How do Hydraulic Motors Work?
Hydraulic motors work by pushing high-pressure fluids against the mechanical parts of the motor. The fluids are held in a reservoir before being channeled into pressurized tubes by the hydraulic pump within the motor. Internal combustion aids the hydraulic pump in driving the fluid into the tubes that carry it into the hydraulic motor. The pressure from the fluid is what then turns the gears and cylinders of the motor. Once the fluid has traveled through the motor, it returns to the reservoir until the hydraulic pump then drives it back into the pressurized tubes to repeat the process.
Different Types of Hydraulic Motors
There are several different types of hydraulic motors and while they all follow the same basic principle, they each function slightly differently. Here are some of the types of hydraulic motors:
- Axial plunger motor
- Radial piston motor
- Crankshaft type
- Multi-lobe cam ring type
- Vane motor
- Hydraulic gear motor
Because of the different types of hydraulic motors, make sure when you are searching for replacement parts that you are finding the parts that correspond with the make and model of your loader.
Why do Hydraulic Motors Fail?
If your hydraulic motor fails, you need to know why so that you can find the replacement part or parts needed and quickly get your loader back up and running. You can’t afford to spend days trying to figure out why the motor has stopped working. Knowing some of the main reasons that hydraulic motors fail can help you quickly rule out areas of the motor and quickly find what area is causing the failure. Here are a few common causes of failure in a hydraulic motor to check for.
- Air and water contamination
- Up to 90% of hydraulic motor failures can be attributed to air and water contamination in the motor.
- Air in the motor can lead to wear on the pump and components, contamination of fluids, and potentially overheating.
- Air in the motor can be caused by cavitation—which is air that is pulled from the hydraulic pump—or by aeration—which is when a loose connection or leak allows outside air into the system.
- Failed seals can lead to contamination; they allow air and water into the motor and leaking hydraulic fluid can damage other parts around it.
- Temperature problems
- The fluids in the hydraulic motor can be affected if the temperature of the motor runs too hot or too cold for an extended period of time. Too much heat, for example, can cause the fluids to thin out and prevent lubrication which makes it more likely for the fluids to leak.
- Fluid levels and quality
- Making sure that the fluid levels and filters within the motor are up to standard can help prevent a variety of issues.
- Low fluid levels or incorrect filtration can lead to air contamination and overheating of the motor.
- Oils and fluids can also be specific to the type and model of engine being used.
- Human error
- Like with anything, human error can lead to the failure of a hydraulic motor.
- Faulty installations, incompatible parts, and improper maintenance/usage can all lead to the breakdown of a hydraulic motor.
Find the Right Parts for Your Hydraulic Motor
To keep your loader running at peak performance, regular maintenance and thorough inspections are required. Always make sure to check your hydraulic motor for any leaks or broken parts. If you find a part that needs replacing, contact Loader Parts Source to find all of your loader part needs.
