Auxiliary hydraulic system

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An auxiliary hydraulic system delivers pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to operate auxiliary equipment or attachments. The addition of an auxiliary hydraulic system on heavy construction equipment increases the versatility of the vehicle by allowing it to perform addition functions with different attachments.

[edit] Usage

An auxiliary hydraulic system is needed to operate heavy construction attachments, such as:

  • Hydraulic breakers
  • Hydraulic brush cutters
  • Hydraulic compactors
  • Hydraulic crushers
  • Hydraulic grapples
  • Hydraulic processors
  • Hydraulic shears
  • Hydraulic thumbs
  • Hydraulic tilt bucket
  • Hydraulic augers

[edit] Configurations

Depending upon the vehicle, whether an excavator, back-hoe or a front-end-loader, the auxiliary hydraulic system may vary. Vehicle interface fittings, length from pump to attachment and vehicle control systems require various configurations of an auxiliary hydraulic system. Auxiliary hydralic systems usually include external fluid fittings to facilitate connecting and disconnecting the hydraulic fluid supply lines of the attachments to the vehicles' hydraulic pump. They also usually include valves configured to control the supply of hydraulic fluid through the fittings.

Different attachments also have varying requirements of an auxiliary hydraulic systems with respect to timing, rate and control of fluid flow. Attachments, such as breakers and compactors only need hydraulic flow in one direction, where as thumbs, shears and grapples need two direction hydraulic flow. Hydraulic flow and pressure are also specific to the attachment. A shear requires a much higher flow and pressure than a tilt bucket.

[edit] Terminology

Auxiliary hydraulic systems are also referred to as auxiliary hydraulics, hydraulic kits, wet kits and plumbing kits.