Safety instructions
Read carefully the following safety instructions and warnings, as well as any operating and maintenance instructions supplied with the equipment. You must understand the operating instructions before using the equipment. Perform some test jobs with the equipment before operating it. Always verify that the necessary safety measures have been implemented, so as to avoid any personal injuries or any damages to the hydraulic equipment. Use suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Safety glasses, footwear and clothing. Never use hydraulic equipment at an operating pressure higher than the one specified. Use control devices, such as pressure gauges, to be aware of the operating pressure. Safety accessories and valves are recommended. Check that all tools and accessories are suitable for working under the specified maximum operating pressure. Once you have finished using the tolls, clean them and store them properly. Do not use damaged or worn equipment.
You must know the weight to lift and select a cylinder accordingly, so as not to go beyond 80 % of its rated capacity nor beyond its stroke length.
All the tools should be placed on stable, even and flat ground. To achieve a higher level of stability, use the coupling on the base of the cylinder. The load should be centred over the cylinder. Use all the cylinder’s useful support surface, both on the saddle and the base. Be prepared to use tilt saddles if applying lateral loads. If necessary, balance the load with several cylinders.
Clean both ends of the couplings before attaching anything to them. When using quick couplings, make sure that they are properly connected — tight and with no leaks. Do not use a torque so high that it could actually deform connections or wear down the threads. Use dust covers when the parts in the couplings are not connected.
Do not use cylinders without the saddle. Otherwise, the piston will be deformed. Saddles are designed to distribute the load evenly over the piston so that it is not affected.
In double-acting cylinders both plugs should be attached when the cylinder is being used.
Do not expose the equipment to fire or extreme heat sources, such as welding. Avoid temperatures over 65°C (150°F).
Close the discharge valve in the manual pump manually and without straining it. The use of tools would damage it.
Do not use the cylinder as a permanent support. If you need to hold loads for a specific period of time or to work under them, hold the loads with supports or use cylinders with a fastening nut. Keep the hoses away from the work area.
Do not use any extension devices or bars on manual pumps to lift the load. A proper use of the pump do not require any special effort. Do not lift the equipment by pulling the hose. Use the tank instead.
Do not strain the hydraulic hoses. Avoid twists and tight bends. Replace damaged hoses immediately. Do not run over them with a vehicle and do not place any objects on top of them. Do not lift or move hydraulic equipment by pulling hoses. Disengage the hoses only while cylinder is retracted and the system is not under pressure.
Fill the pump only while the cylinder is completely retracted. Do not fill the tanks excessively. Use high-quality hydraulic oil. The oil temperature should not be higher than 60 ºC.
Basic hydraulics instructions
In the following pages you will find information and advice regarding the safe use and correct choice of GCHydraulic high-pressure hydraulic equipments. If you need a more detailed help, our technical service team is more than willing to study any special projects or to offer a cost-effective and efficient solution.
PASCAL´S LAW
A pressure change occurring anywhere in a confined incompressible fluid within a container with nondeformable walls is transmitted throughout the fluid such that the same change occurs everywhere.
Hydraulic pressure is the physical quantity that measures the instantaneous force in a unit of surface: kg / cm² = bar
FORCE
The force exerted by a cylinder equals the hydraulic pressure multiplied by the effective pressure area of the piston. Force (Kg) = Operating Hydraulic
Pressure (bar) x Effective Pressure Area of the Piston (cm²). F =P x A This formula can be used to determine force, pressure or area when two of the three variables are known.
OIL VOLUME IN THE CYLINDER
The necessary oil volume for a cylinder can be calculated by multiplying the effective area of the piston by the stroke length.
