P.O. Box 1376 Monroe, GA 30656 (678) 267-3395 gpm@gpmhydraulic.com
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March 2007
For an archive of past newsletters, please visit: |
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Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting on Interactive CD Our nationally acclaimed
Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop
on six fully interactive CD's. Includes our MHT workshop manual.
6-CD Set - $1200 Individual CD's - $250
+ Shipping and Handling.
Click on http://gpmhydraulic.com/mhtcds.htm
to find out more.
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| 1. Locating an Elusive Hydraulic Leak | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Jack
Weeks - Consultant for GPM Hydraulic Consulting, Inc. |
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We have discussed leaks many times, both in our monthly newsletter and in our hydraulics workshops. Everyone agrees that leaks are expensive. Not just because of the cost of the oil that is lost (though that is no small expense any more either) but because of cleanup and disposal costs, the waste of energy in the machine and the likelihood of contamination since, if oil has a way out then trash has a way in. And if someone gets hurt as a result of a leak, there is no limit to the potential cost, not to mention the suffering of the victim. Most of the time a machine leaks (and continues to do so) because other more pressing tasks keep the repair of the leak low on our priority list. But sometimes a machine leaks because we simply cannot locate the source. There is a puddle of oil on the floor that continues to grow, but all we know for sure is that it is coming from some complex arrangement of pipes and hoses. Everything is wet with oil and there is no obvious place where it starts. What do we do then? Recently I was called to a paper mill to locate just such a leak. Twenty or more pipes entered the ceiling in one spot and all were soaked with hydraulic oil. Climbing up on a ladder was no help at all - the light level was very low and the area very tight. I purchased some fluorescent oil dye and poured it in the reservoir. Several companies manufacture dye such as this and it is mostly used to locate refrigerant leaks in coolant lines but it is also safe to use in hydraulic oil. About one ounce of dye is required for every four gallons of oil. It will not alter the viscosity or lubrication properties of the oil and does not react badly with any of the additives. In fact to the naked eye, it appears not to affect the oil at all. But under an ultraviolet light, it will cause the oil to glow a bright orange color. This fluorescence is most easily observed using filtered goggles that enhance the visibility of materials that fluoresce. Any ultraviolet lamp will do - even the ones we used to use to make the posters in our rooms look cool when we were kids - but I found the most convenient type to be a rechargeable UV flashlight.
While wearing the goggles, I was able to shine the flashlight on each of the hydraulic lines and easily see where oil was coming out of the pipes. As would be expected, the sources of the leaks were at certain pipe junctions. On a few of them, I was unable to actually see oil coming from the fitting but located the leak by first wiping each fitting with a rag and then shining the flashlight on the rag. Once all of the leaks have been repaired, clean the entire area with solvent to make sure that all of the dyed oil has been removed and then go back over everything with the light and goggles to confirm that there are no more leaks. There is no need to replace the oil when you are finished - it can remain safely in there until your next oil change. |
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| Jack Weeks entered GPM’s organization in January of 1997 as a CAD draftsman and hydraulic instructor. He has trained thousands of electricians and mechanics in Hydraulic Troubleshooting methods. His computerized animations have made GPM's presentations and training CD's the recognized leader in the industry. He received his education from the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Electrical Engineering and the Department of State Foreign Service Institute. Jack is an experienced draftsman and taught telecommunications equipment operation and repair for the Central Intelligence Agency at American embassies overseas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. The GPM Grapevine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robin Garner
- GPM Training Coordinator
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March has kept everyone running with five Maintenance
Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshops, three mill-specific workshops and
two Bosch Proportional Valve classes. In between have been
consulting and flushing jobs as well.
But our biggest headache was that our hydraulic trainer was stolen from our office parking lot!
This has meant dealing with insurance agents and getting quotes from contractors to build us another one. The popularity of the trainer has been such that continuing without it is not an option. Al hit the ground running when he returned from his vacation to the Virgin Islands to teach a troubleshooting workshop and perform a site survey in Chester, SC. Later in the month he taught Bosch Proportional Valve workshops in Laurel, MS and Clanton, AL. Alan taught a Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop in Columbus, GA, went on an extended flushing job in Hampton, SC and taught a Troubleshooting Corrugated Hydraulics workshop in Circleville, OH. But he has had some time to enjoy the spring weather on his motorcycle! Jack taught a Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop in Brookneal, VA, did consulting work in Allendale, SC and taught two back-to-back MHT classes in Marion, OH. Those two classes each had to be compacted into two long days instead of three normal days. All of Jack's motorhomes went to the races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. I've been doing the word processing and publishing of the manuals for upcoming customized workshops while coordinating all of the in-plant and public classes and dealing with our stolen trainer. |
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| Robin Garner, GPM’s Training Coordinator, joined the organization in 2004. In addition to coordinating the training classes, she also does the desktop publishing for GPM's troubleshooting manuals. Robin also manages the marketing and accounting for the company. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3. In-plant consulting and troubleshooting
Nothing is more expensive than unscheduled down time. GPM’s customers know they can call whenever they have a troubleshooting issue they simply can’t resolve. With over 50 years experience dealing with hydraulic failures, our consultants have the resources to help troubleshoot whatever hydraulic problem you encounter. Whether you’re experiencing a total system outage, repeated component failure or just need a professionally designed preventive maintenance schedule, the consultants at GPM can help. Call GPM for In-plant Troubleshooting Leakage Problems Pressure Settings Shock Problems Preventive
Maintenance Scheduling Hydraulic Troubleshooting Manual Development Startup
Consulting and Recommendations Heat
Problems Repeated
Component Failures Speed Problems Do you want to learn more on how GPM can help you? Go to http://gpmhydraulic.com/troubleshooting.htm
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Troubleshooting Proportional Valves The complete guide to troubleshooting and maintaining linear positioner circuits with electronically controlled proportional valves. The same manual used in our acclaimed Troubleshooting Proportional Valves public seminar. $49.95 + Shipping & Handling To order this and other exciting products online, visit the GPM Store!
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The operator is taught the basic function of the hydraulic operated equipment. The student learns the function of the hydraulic pump, valves and the task they perform. Actual screen shots from your equipment are used in the classroom to discuss the electrical cycles in detail.
Click http://gpmhydraulic.com/operatortraining.htm and find out more! What our students say I feel that this course is an absolute must if you will be running the press. The hydraulic system is much easier to understand now that I know what each component does each step of the way. I will be able to help maintenance personnel troubleshoot hydraulic problems better with an operators point of view. Also, be able to troubleshoot hydraulic related quality issues.
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Troubleshooting Proportional Valves Brochure pdf Troubleshooting Proportional Valves 2007 8 Hour Course Registration Fee $450.00 Per Person. Save $100 if attended in conjunction with our three-day Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop
Only $350.00 If Attending Our 3-Day Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting Workshop The Same Week. (See 2007 MHT Schedule Below) Learn How To Troubleshoot and Maintain Linear Positioner Circuits with Electronically Controlled Proportional Valves
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Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting 2007 3 Day Course Registration Fee $850.00 Per Person Learn More About Our Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting Course
*For Only $350.00 More Attend Our Troubleshooting Proportional Valves Workshop The Same Week. Troubleshooting Proportional Valves Same Week As MHT Brochure pdf
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Hydraulic Schematic Symbols Explained This interactive CD is the fastest, easiest way available to learn hydraulic schematic symbols.$49.95 + Shipping & Handling. Find out more, go to http://gpmhydraulic.com/symbolcd.htm
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Site Index [Home] [Our Training] [Hydraulic Consulting] [Our People] [Hydraulics Quiz] [Upcoming Events] [Contact Us] GPM Hydraulic Consulting, Inc. Box 1376 Monroe, GA 30655 (678) 267-3395 |
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Monroe Community Building 602 E. Church St.
Monroe, GA
beside a date
indicates that our exclusive one-day Troubleshooting Proportional
Valve Systems workshop will be conducted at the same location
and may be included with your Maintenance Hydraulic
Troubleshooting workshop for just $350!