Moving Parts

are not simple to seal and usually one seal is not enough. Instead, most fluid power systems require a sealing configuration to allow the successful operation of hydraulics or pneumatics. The configuration must keep lubricant in, prevent ingress of abrasive external media and optimize friction characteristics.

“We’ve worked with most of the major off-highway equipment manufacturers globally for over 60 years,” says Beth Figliulo, Global Segment Director for Off - Highway at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions. “We’re a leading supplier in this area and many of the sealing components and materials that are now the standard in fluid power applications were originally developed by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions,” says, Franco Marano, Global Segment Director for Fluid Power and Material Processing at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.

Beth highlights highlights the excavator as a typical example of the complexity of sealing off-highway equipment.

Sealing multiple applications

“The power train or drive system of an excavator transfers power from the engine to the drive, supplying torque to the equipment’s tracks or wheels,” says Beth. “In this system alone, there can be around 10 to 15 applications that require sealing. Add to that, the seals that are needed for boom and bucket cylinders and actuators, valves and pumps, as well as the implements and attachments, and there are even more fluid power applications on just this one piece of equipment. And in all cases, it is extremely important to specify the optimum seal or sealing configuration to maximize life and performance of each component.”

 

Selecting the best seals for each system is an involved process for construction equipment engineers, especially as they may not be familiar with the intricacies of sealing or fully aware of the options available to them. Trelleborg, however, is there to support.

 

Continual development

“We work collaboratively with our off-highway customers from the initial design right through to serial production,” says Beth. “With so much experience in the off-highway
industry, we know what will work. Though specific vehicle designs may require refinements, we can accelerate the design process and time to market through the sharing of
our sealing expertise.”

As many fluid power sealing solutions are very well established over time, people often think that nothing new can happen in the technology of fluid power sealing.

“This is not true,” continues Franco. “We’re continually pushing boundaries and trying to stay one step ahead in satisfying the current and developing needs of our customers.

We know what the pain points are, and continuously evolve existing materials and seal geometries to enhance their performance. In some cases, we create completely new materials solutions.”

This was the case with Lubrication Management technology, which transforms hydraulic sealing by adjusting lubrication conditions of all single sealing elements within a sealing system.

 

Lubrication Management 

“It goes without saying that applying lubricants to seals under pressure loads can extend the life of seals and mitigate the effects of friction and wear. This though, is a simplistic
view, given the speed and pressure challenges of modern machinery – as well as the mandatory need for redundancy in critical industrial applications,” says, Dr. Mandy Wilke from Global Technical Management at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, who was involved in the development of the Lubrication Management technology.

“In fluid power and hydraulic sealing applications, best practice comes in the form of a primary and secondary seal.