Deck Cranes

Deck Cranes

When we discuss “cranes,” we usually think of the skyscraper-sized machines we see erecting new buildings, or sometimes the smaller units on the backs of trucks used for smaller jobs. But what is the story with cranes that are designed to stay in one place? A great...
Hydraulic Systems in Backhoes

Hydraulic Systems in Backhoes

Hydraulic systems are used throughout industry, in construction, manufacturing, and automotive design. The long-recognized power of the force multiplier of pistons moving against incompressible liquid means that hydraulics make for a great power-to-weight ratio,...
Contamination in Hydraulic Systems

Contamination in Hydraulic Systems

Hydraulic systems are, by their nature, sealed systems—designed to keep the internal working separate from the surrounding environment. But what happens if foreign substances do somehow manage to get into the system? How does one address it before it becomes a...
The Basics of Hydraulic Motors

The Basics of Hydraulic Motors

The principles of fluid dynamics and hydraulic systems have been understood for most of human history. Despite the age of the science behind it, hydraulics remains in use everywhere in the modern world—from home plumbing to spacecraft. Nowhere is this more apparent...
The Rough Terrain Crane

The Rough Terrain Crane

Not every construction project takes place downtown (despite the way it may seem during rush hour). There are dozens of construction projects near you right now taking place in new developments, in out-of-the-way areas, and even in older neighborhoods undergoing urban...