Hydraulic systems are the backbone of modern construction projects. Used to generate vast amounts of power for lifting, pulling, and pushing, fluid power hydraulics are the basis of nearly every major piece of machinery used for building and earthmoving. Excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and many others rely on hydraulic components to not only increase lifting capacity but also achieve the precision necessary for many required tasks.

Below, we’ll offer a detailed breakdown of some of the most common applications for fluid power hydraulic systems in construction. We’ll also discuss their importance for an efficient and effective building process.

How Do Hydraulic Systems Work?

Hydraulic technology relies on fluid pressure to generate mechanical force. An incompressible fluid—usually oil, which is already at maximum density and cannot be compressed further—is contained within a tank built into the machinery. A pump delivers the fluid, and when the operator uses the control system to open a valve, the fluid moves through the tubing, causing it to apply equal force to walls and the moving parts of the system. Usually, this is a mechanical cylinder or actuator that moves either linearly or rotationally, depending on the design.

Since hydraulic fluids are incompressible, energy transfer within a system happens quickly. This means that hydraulic systems can operate with incredible precision: Their response time is much faster than that of pneumatic systems and other related technologies.

Why Are They So Effective for Construction?

Construction projects often involve moving extremely heavy loads repeatedly over the course of long periods of time. The machinery used in these projects must be able to withstand vast amounts of flow and pressure changes while moving large amounts of weight in an exacting manner. Hydraulic systems can meet all these requirements, making them ideal for use in a wide variety of construction technologies.

The speed, strength, and efficiency of hydraulic technology can also help reduce the overall costs of the projects in which they are used. For instance, their use reduces the need for manual labor, allowing valuable human resources to be allocated elsewhere. The fact that they utilize physics rather than vast amounts of energy to perform their work also means that hydraulic machinery is crucial for sustainability in the construction industry.

Common Applications for Hydraulics in Construction

Fluid power hydraulics are found in many types of machinery in the world of construction, and a single blog post cannot cover them all. However, there are a few systems that are extremely common on construction sites all across the world.

Cranes

Cranes are primarily used for lifting. They are essential for large-scale building projects and used in the construction of everything from railroads to skyscrapers. There are multiple types of cranes, including static cranes, which are commonly used for shipping or long-term projects, and truck-mounted tower cranes, which can be moved from one location to another. These types of cranes are counterweighted, enabling them to raise large weights without the risk of tipping over.

A crane operator controls the movement of the boom with a joystick, which can open or close a hydraulic valve depending on the direction it is moved. When the valve is opened, the hydraulic power engages to move a piston, which in turn raises the boom, forcing the load upward.

Bulldozers

Bulldozers are another common sight in construction zones. They are frequently employed to push large amounts of material from one area to another. Made up of a large metal blade connected to a tractor, a bulldozer is the best option for effectively clearing land. They are used to remove vegetation in agricultural projects, clear away debris after demolition, and dig ditches using their sharpened blades, among other jobs.

Bulldozers utilize hydraulics to alter the angle of their blades. An operator sitting in the tractor uses the controls to open or close the hydraulic valve, activating a piston that moves it in the desired manner. This allows force to be transferred not only horizontally but at various angles as well. It is this ability that gives bulldozers their incredible versatility and renders them so useful in construction projects.

Excavators

For more complex digging projects, excavators are also frequently employed in construction and demolition. Much like a bulldozer or a truck crane, the digging implement is attached to a tractor, which gives the machinery its mobility. A bucket is connected to the digging arm, allowing the excavator to scoop up heavy loads of earth or other material. Excavators are critical machinery for city infrastructure because they are used to dig the ditches for pipelines and electrical cables.

The hydraulic system in an excavator is built into the digging arm, which is what gives the machinery its strength. The operator controls the arm from within the cab, moving it with a system like that of a crane or similar machinery type.

Hydraulic Systems Are Everywhere

The above-mentioned machines are among the most commonly employed in construction, but they are far from the only ones used. Fluid power hydraulics are also used in many other industries, including agriculture and manufacturing, meaning that a sizable chunk of the global economy depends on them. As a result, continuing to innovate in the field is particularly critical, as is emphasizing the building of high-quality, energy-efficient systems.

For this reason, companies like Aberdeen Dynamics specialize in the development of advanced hydraulic actuators and related machinery. Pioneers in the construction industry should turn to businesses like these to upgrade their technology and ensure they are using the best machinery available to them so they can remain competitive in a vast and critical sector of the world economy.