One of the most important issues concerning hydraulic pump troubleshooting on Dump Trailers is what I just wrote about. If you don’t feel like reading long texts and need to get a dump trailer hydraulic pump troubleshooting solution right away, then here is an answer – all that you wanted to know about why pumps go bad, tips from professionals how they can be fixed, etc.
⚠️⚠️⚠️Prior to performing any inspections &/or tests, which may require the body to be in a raised position, the body must be secured and stabilized to prevent accidental collapse of body and hoist. Body must be unloaded, safety prop must be raised, and depending on the problem, tests, and repairs to be performed, additional blocking &/or chain hoist may also be required to safely secure and stabilize the body from accidental fall.
dump trailer hydraulic pump &/or motor doesn’t run
Problem | 解决方案 |
Is there power at the solenoid switch? | a. Possible grounding issues. Check for corrosion on battery leads. b. Check for cut power or ground wires. c. Is pump/motor grounded to the battery or to the frame of truck? Ground needs to be directly from battery to get correct current. d. Is there power coming from the control box? Check for Volts/amps from white wire on solenoid switch. If no power, check for cut lines, rusty or bad connections at Deutsch connector. Replace control box/cord as needed. |
Motor corroded or rusty & cannot make connections? | Replace D/C motor |
Check solenoid switch to see if it is working | Use jumper wire to go from battery side of solenoid switch to motor side…if motor runs at this point, the solenoid switch is bad…if motor does not run at this point, the D/C motor is bad. Replace part accordingly. |
motor runs,but dump trailer hydraulic pump doesn’t work
Problem | Solution |
Is there sufficient oil in the reservoir? | If no…fill as needed |
On single acting power units, the only problem that it can be is gear is broken in the pump. | Replace complete power unit |
On a double acting power unit: | a.Check to see if coils have continuity • If they do not…replace the coil(s) b. Check to see if 4-way valve is activating. If it clicks, the valve is activating but the gear is broken • Replace complete power unit |
Is the control box working correctly? | a. Is there current going to the coil/valve? b. Is there good contact at the Deutsch connector? |
dump trailer hydraulic pump will not lift load
Problem | Solution |
Is the pump supplying sufficient pressure? | Test pressure to verify pump is supplying correct pressures (“C1” port 3200psi) (“C2” port if double acting unit – 500 psi). Pressure should be within +/- 100 psi. • If incorrect PSI is found, replace the power unit…there is noadjustment. |
Is the motor turning the correct RPM? | Step 1: Locate the main wiring harness for your dump trailer motor. This will be a bundle of wires that are connected to each other at one end and run from one side of your vehicle to another. The main wiring harness will likely have several different colors on it, including red, white and black. Step 2: Disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal on your vehicle’s battery with a wrench or socket set. Step 3: Unplug the main wiring harness from its plug on the back of your vehicle’s engine block using pliers or needle nose pliers. If there are any other wires plugged into this plug, unplug them as well before pulling it out of place. Step 4: Plug one end of your tachometer into this plug and connect the other end to an electrical outlet in your home or garage that has power running through it (for example, if you’re working outside during daylight hours, plugging it into a light socket will work). |
symptom possible cause & solutions when you press up or down buttons, solenoid switch only clicks
Problem | Solution |
Check to see if it is the motor or solenoid switch that is bad. | Use jumper wire to go from battery side of solenoid switch to motor side…if motor runs at this point, the solenoid switch is bad…if motor does not run at this point, the D/C motor is bad • Replace part accordingly |
Possible grounding issues | Check both power and ground lines coming from the battery for corrosion on ends/connections. |
Is the pump grounded to the battery, or to the frame of the truck? It should be grounded directly to the battery. | Is the pump getting enough volts or amps to activate the solenoid switch? |
Does the battery have enough volts to run the motor? | A battery has two main jobs: store electrical energy and provide power to the motor. If you want to know if your battery has enough voltage to start your car, you can attach a voltmeter (a device that measures volts) across the battery terminals and check the voltage reading. The voltage should be at least 12.5 volts. If it isn’t, there is a problem with your charging system or alternator. In most cases, this means that the alternator isn’t doing its job or that the battery is dead. Either way, it’s time for a new one! |
Check to see if a coil has failed | If on a double acting power unit…coil can be checked by using a continuity tester. Another possible way to test is to reverse the coils and touch the up button to see if unit comes down. |
Is the coil to tight on the valve body? | If yes…loosen the retaining nut. |
Check to see if screen on “down” valve is dirty or plugged thereby not releasing oil. | Remove valve from pump body and clean. Reinstall valve and try to lower the hoist. |
Is the plunger stuck inside valve? | Remove the valve from pump body…check to see if plunger is working freely. If not…replace the valve. |
oil comes out of breather on top of reservoir when hoist is lowered
Problem | Solution |
Does the reservoir have enough oil to open the cylinder all the way on the up stroke? | If not…air will get into the system & cause the oil to expand Fill reservoir accordingly…see installation/operation manual |
Is the hoist closing faster than the power unit can pump oil back into the top side of cylinder? | Is the hoist closing faster than the power unit can pump oil back into the top side of cylinder? This can be caused when product is left in the body & hoist is lowered,forcing cylinder to close faster. |
can not get any current from control box, symptom possible cause & solutions
Problem | Solution |
Are the control buttons bad, or pins in Deutsch connector defective? | If so…replace the Control Box |
The wire from control box to solenoid switch or coils could be cut, or has been damaged. | Replace parts accordingly. |
Control box has gotten water in it & contact points are rusty. | Replace control box |
dump trailer hydraulic pump is pumping oil slower than normal
Problem | Solution |
In cold weather area’s…is correct fluid being used? | Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid is recommended for all units…especially when operating in temperatures below 32° Fahrenheit. |
Check grounding to make sure motor is turning at full RPM’s | Check the voltage going to the motor. If it’s close to 120VAC, you probably have a bad switch or wiring issue. You may need an electrician to help you troubleshoot this problem. |
Check to see if water has gotten in hydraulic fluid and is freezing | If you’re having problems with your hydraulic system freezing, start by checking for leaks. There are two places where you might find a leak: around the steering wheel and in the lines leading up to the steering column. To get to these areas, you’ll need to take off some of your vehicle’s interior panels (such as those covering the dash). Once these panels are removed, look at all of your lines closely and use a hose nozzle to spray water on them; this will help locate any potential leaks. |
Screen on suction tube in reservoir could be getting dirty. How long has it been since hydraulic fluid was changed? | If you have not changed the hydraulic fluid in some time, then it is time to do so. If you have not checked the level of fluid recently, then I would suggest doing that as well. It is also a good idea to check for any damage in the hose or fittings that might cause a leak. If you do find a leak, then it is time to replace any damaged components and fix any other problems that may exist in your system. |
Screens on solenoid valve could be getting plugged. | Remove valve(s), inspect, & clean |
Gear inside pump could be wearing out. | Replace complete power unit |
dump trailer hydraulic motor runs slow
Solution |
Check for Grounding Issues |
Check motor for water or rust/corrosion |
Check motor for bad bearing — Replace D/C motor |
Verify battery has enough charge to provide sufficient volts to run motor |
Identifying Common Problems with Dump Trailer Hydraulic Pumps
One of the effective ways to troubleshoot and fix problems with your dump trailer hydraulic pump is recognizing its symptoms including common issues that affect its performance. This will help in detecting minor problems early enough that could cause major failures thus ensuring smooth running, continuity of operation and a long life span.
Failing Hydraulic Pumps in Dump Trailers: Signs to look for
- Insufficient Pressure: One of the first signs of trouble may be a noticeable decrease in hydraulic pressure as a result, lifting the dump trailer bed slower or not going up fully.
- Hydraulic Fluid Leaks: Visible leaks from the pump, hoses, or fittings are clear indicators of problems. If these leaks are not addressed, there can be significant consequences since this leads to reduced levels of hydraulic fluid lowering the efficiency of the system as well as damaging away the pump.
- Abnormal Noises: Such sounds may include whining, grinding or squealing from around the area where pumps are located indicates internal wear/ damage, contamination in fluid hydraulics or cavitation within systems.
- Overheating: The extra heat from either pump body or hydraulic fluid is an indicator that; it’ s overworked, has no enough amount fluid or it’s contaminated which degrades system’s performance over time.
- Erratic Operation: When considering how does actuator work on these trailers if erratic operation occurs such as jerky movements happening while maintaining position could indicate whether there is air within system control valve issue or worn out hydraulic components?
Problems Commonly Experienced by Operators
- Contaminated Hydraulic Fluid: The presence of dirt particles, water molecules and other contaminants within hydraulic fluids can lead to inefficiencies in other parts leading to overheating and possible failures.
- Wear and Tear: Regular use naturally leads to wear on the hydraulic pump and its components. For instance worn seals damaged gears scored pistons would reduce reliability thereby affecting efficiency of system reliability.
- Air and Moisture in the System: Air bubbles within the hydraulic fluid can result in cavitation, while moisture can cause corrosion. Both cavitation and corrosion damage hydraulic pump and system thereby reducing its performance and decreasing its life span.
- Electrical Issues: In case of electrically driven pumps, faulty wiring, damaged solenoids or dead batteries can render the pump inoperable even when all other hydraulic components are ok.
Therefore it is important to quickly identify these problems early enough for conducting efficient troubleshooting by focusing appropriate efforts on them. Such promptness ensures that you will maintain operational efficiency of your Dump Trailer Hydraulic Pump which in turn saves costs of downtimes and repair works.
dump trailer hydraulic pump troubleshooting video
If you have a Dump Trailer Hydraulic Pump Troubleshooting that you can’t handle by yourself, please contact our professional engineers and we will be eager to help you answer
dump trailer hydraulic pump troubleshooting FAQ
how to install pressure gauge in 12 volt hydraulic pump for dump trailer?
Installing a pressure gauge on a hydraulic pump is a great way to monitor the operation of your trailer. It will allow you to see how much pressure is in your system, and will also tell you if there are any leaks. In this article, we’ll show you how to install a pressure gauge on a 12 volt hydraulic pump for your dump trailer.
The first thing you need to do is remove the cap from the back of the pump. You can do this by turning it counterclockwise with your fingers or by using an adjustable wrench. Once it’s off, you should see what looks like a large bolt sticking out of the bottom of the pump. This is the check valve. It’s used to prevent fluid from escaping when no pressure is applied to it. We’ll be removing this part later on so that we can attach our new gauge.
Next, we’ll want to make sure that everything is clean before we start working on anything else in our project. To do this, you can use some rubbing alcohol or acetone (use caution when using acetone as it can damage plastic). Once everything has been cleaned off well enough for your liking, it’s time to put everything back together again!
what size hydraulic pump is use on a 14000lbs dump trailer?
The hydraulic pump is the heart of the hydraulic system, and the size of your hydraulic pump will have a direct effect on how much work can be done with it. The larger the pump, the more pressure it can create.
For example, if you have a 1/2″ line and a 1/4″ line going to the same point, you’ll get more flow out of the 1/4″ line than out of the 1/2″ line because there’s less restriction in that line – it has less restriction than the larger line.
what causes dump trailer hydraulic pump troubleshooting?
Here are some of the most common problems with dump trailer hydraulic pumps:
Faulty wiring. This is a common problem when you have a trailer that’s equipped with an electric hydraulic pump. If there is a short circuit or ground fault in the wiring, then it can cause your hydraulic pump to fail.
Loose connections. Another common problem is loose connections on the wires running from your dump trailer hydraulic pump to your controller box. This can be due to corrosion, worn out terminals, or just improper installation of new parts.
Bad controller box. If you have a controller box failure, then it could be causing your dump trailer hydraulic pump not to work properly. You may need someone who specializes in dump trailer repair to check out your controller box if this happens to you.
how to test hydraulic dump trailer pump?
1.Check the air pressure of the hydraulic pump.
2.If the air pressure is too low, check whether the air filter of the hydraulic pump is blocked. If it is blocked, clean or replace it as necessary.
3.Check whether any part of the hydraulic system is leaking or broken. If so, repair or replace it as necessary.
4.Check whether there is any damage to the seal surface and replace it if necessary.
how to purge dump trailer hydraulic pump?
A hydraulic pump is a device that converts the energy of a fluid into mechanical energy by means of the pressure, velocity or flow rate of the fluid. In this article, we will focus on how to purge a dump trailer hydraulic pump.
1.Find the drain plug at the bottom of your dump trailer hydraulic system. If you don’t see one, look in your service manual for instructions on how to find it.
2.Put your finger over the drain plug and turn it counterclockwise until it pops out. You might need pliers to remove it completely because some plugs are stuck on tight due to rust or corrosion.
3.Remove all oil from inside of your dump trailer’s hydraulic system using either compressed air or an oil-free solvent like kerosene or mineral spirits (not gasoline). Spray down all parts with compressed air or hand wipe them off until they’re clean of any oil residue and dry before continuing with steps 4 through 8 below.
pj dump trailer hydraulic pump troubleshooting ?
Hydraulic Power Units.(manufactured by KTI)
When your customer has a problem with a KTI Power Unit, we need the Model,Serial Number, Date and the last 7 digits of the Trailer VIN number.
Reservoir overflowing
Low Battery, loose Hydraulic Lines or Loose Inlet: The most common cause is low battery charge or poor ground condition.
Solenoid
The Start Solenoid is not covered under warranty since its condition is directly related to the battery charge level. Using an under-charged battery causes a high amp draw that will make the contacts stick and burned up the start solenoid.
Bed not going up or down
Causes include a failed solenoid, poor electrical connections between the control and the pump, or loose wiring in the remote itself. If the pump is running but doesn’t affect the hydraulics, it may be a stuck valve. If when the pump works in one direction but not the other, try swapping the coils, to see if it will work in the opposite direction. If this is the case, you will have a faulty coil.
dump trailer hydraulic pump wiring diagram
The trailer hitch connects the dump trailer hydraulic pump, controlled via a dash switch. An activation of the relay causes it to energize the pump motor. By stepping on the brake pedal, circuit is powered via relay to open up dumping valve. From the brake pedal cable runs through mechanical linkage which opens up a dumping valve when you step on it.
A 12V battery powers a dump trailer hydraulic pump which is connected in series through a fuse and a relay. For example, your vehicle’s electrical system depends on this battery for support as it lights all your accessories and operates alternator or starter motor that starts up an engine.
dump trailer hydraulic pump parts
Single dump trailer hydraulic pump parts
Description | Measurement |
Main Relief Pressure | 3200 +/- 150 PSI |
Fluid Reccomendation | Dexron lll ATF (SeeTL- 188) |
Pump Displacement | 2.1 CC/Rev |
Usable Reservoir Size | 8 Quarts |
Mounting Orientation | Horizontal |
Maximum Relief Current | 240A |
SAE Port Conformance | SAE J1926-1 |
Duty Cycle | Intermittent Duty, 10% Duty Cycle, Two Minute “On Time” |
Motor | 12V DC Motor, 1.5kW |
Manual Override | Optional (Not available on all units) |
Overall Height | 7.87″ |
Overall Width | 6.69″ |
Overall Length | 25. .66″ |
Double dump trailer hydraulic pump parts list
Description | Measurement |
Main Relief Pressure | 3200 +/- 150 PSI |
Retract Relief Pressure | 1500 +/- 100 PSI |
Fluid Requirement | Dexron川ATF |
Pump Displacement | 2.1 CC/Rev |
Usable Reservoir Size | 4, 6, or 8 Quarts |
Mounting Orientation | Horizontal |
Maximum Relief Current | 275 A |
SAE Port Conformance | SAE J1926-1 |
Duty Cycle | Intermittent Duty, 10% Duty Cycle, Two Minute “On Time” |
Motor | 12V DC Motor, 2.0 kW |
Manual Override | Optional (Not available on all units) |
Overall Height | 7.87″ |
Overall Width | 6.69″ |
Overal Length | 16.61″to 26.26″ |
If you want to fix the hydraulic pump on your dump trailer all by yourself, you can use the tips in this article for help. You can save time and money by not having to call an expensive mechanic out to fix a simple problem that you have already fixed yourself.