Hydraulic Circuit Operation (Steering)

Hydraulic Circuit Operation

When the engine is started, the pump draws fluid from the reservoir down the low pressure suction line. The fluid passes through the pump and emerges as pressurised fluid at the discharge port where it passes through a hose to a valve unit. If no steering effort is applied, the pressure is applied equally to each side of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder. The remainder of the flow is returned from the valve unit to the reservoir via the fluid cooler.

If steering effort is applied in either direction, the fluid pressure is directed to the applicable side of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder, providing power assistance to reduce the steering effort required. The fluid displaced by the movement of the piston in the cylinder is returned through the valve unit to the reservoir via the fluid cooler.

The fluid cooler reduces the fluid temperature which prolongs the life of the hoses and seals in the system.