Even when workers follow jobsite safety protocols to a T, emergencies can happen. And when working with large, powerful machines in dangerous or challenging environments, things can become catastrophic quickly.
However, there is one small but critical machine component that can help minimize equipment damage, limit project downtime, and keep workers safe—the check valve.
CHECK VALVES HELP MANAGE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
During emergencies, damage to backup emergency pumps via backflow or pressure must be prevented in case the main pumps fail. Emergency pumps are typically found in trucks that operate aerial work platforms. These include bucket trucks used in sectors such as utilities, tree care, construction, agriculture, and cleaning and maintenance.
Check valves installed in a bucket truck’s hydraulic system help prevent backflow, only allowing the fluid to flow one direction. This protects the emergency pump from any potential damage. Check valves also protect against contamination in the hydraulic system. This prevents foreign particles or debris from entering and causing damage to the pump or other hydraulic components.
If the primary pump fails, the emergency pump is implemented to lower the platform to the ground. This makes it an essential feature within hydraulic systems. Incorporating a reliable check valve in this system helps isolate the emergency pump. Therefore, it protects from backflow or back pressure to be usable when a dangerous situation occurs.
Check valves help maintain pressure in the hydraulic system, ensuring that the emergency pump can operate effectively and safely. In the event of a hydraulic line rupture, a check valve installed on the hydraulic lift cylinder can prevent the aerial work platform from suddenly dropping, which can lead to injury or property damage as a result.
KEY CHECK VALVE BENEFITS
Reliable check valves are important in many ways for trucks that operate aerial work platforms. Some benefits include:
Enhancing Efficiency: Check valves prevent the loss of hydraulic pressure in the system, helping ensure that the hydraulic system operates efficiently. This can help improve the performance of the truck and enhance overall productivity.
Protecting Equipment: Check valves can help protect the hydraulic system and other equipment in the truck from damage caused by back-flowing fluid. This can help extend the life of the equipment and reduce the need for repairs.
Ensuring Operator Safety: Check valves help ensure the operator’s safety by preventing the boom or bucket from falling in the event of a hydraulic failure. This helps protect the operator from injury and helps prevent damage to the surrounding area.
Prevents System Contamination: Check valves can prevent hydraulic fluid from flowing back into the system and contaminating it with dirt or other foreign materials, which can cause damage to the pump and other components.
Saves Money: By preventing damage to the hydraulic system, check valves can help extend the life of the pump and other components, reducing maintenance and repair costs over time.
Check valves are one of the most overlooked machine components but are crucial in an emergency. Choosing the most reliable one for your application is critical.
Find out more about Parker check valves, visit www.discover.parker.com/check-valves.
News courtesy of PALO Creative
