Technical Knowledge

The causes of excessively high oil temperature in the hydraulic system of the power trowel machine

November 7, 2025

The causes of excessively high oil temperature in the hydraulic system of the power trowel machine
The causes of excessively high oil temperature in the hydraulic system of the power trowel machine 2

 

 

Excessively high oil temperature in the hydraulic system of concrete power trowel is a common and highly worthy issue. Long-term high temperatures will rapidly accelerate the deterioration of hydraulic oil and the damage of components, leading to a decline in equipment efficiency or even paralysis.

The following are the main causes of excessively high oil temperature in the hydraulic system. You can investigate them from simple to complex

Ⅰ. Issues with the Hydraulic Oil Itself (The most fundamental)

Improper oil level

Low oil level: Insufficient oil volume causes the oil pump to be sucked empty, resulting in insufficient circulating oil volume. The oil rubs vigorously inside the pump and heats up quickly, while the cooling effect also deteriorates.
Excessively high oil level: There is insufficient space for the oil in the fuel tank, making it difficult for foam and air to separate. The mixture of oil and air will accelerate oxidation and temperature rise.

Incorrect oil model or deterioration:

Improper oil viscosity: Hydraulic oil with a viscosity that is either too high or too low was used. The viscosity is too high, the internal frictional resistance is large, and more heat is generated. When the viscosity is too low, internal leakage increases, the efficiency of the oil pump decreases, and energy is converted into heat.
Oxidation and deterioration of the oil: The hydraulic oil has been in use for too long and has been severely oxidized and contaminated. Deteriorated oil has a decline in lubrication performance and anti-wear performance, which will lead to increased friction and temperature rise among various components.

Ⅱ. Hydraulic Circuit Issues (Core Cause)

Improper setting or malfunction of the relief valve:

This is one of the most common reasons. The relief valve is the safety valve of the system. If the set pressure is too high or the valve core is stuck in the normally open or normally closed position, it will cause the hydraulic oil to continuously flow back to the oil tank through the relief valve under high pressure. This "pressure relief" process will convert a large amount of hydraulic energy into heat energy, causing the oil temperature to rise rapidly.

Internal wear or malfunction of the hydraulic pump

When the internal components of the pump (such as plungers, gears, and blades) wear out, internal leakage will be very severe. High-pressure oil leaked inside the pump into the low-pressure area, generating a large amount of heat. This is usually accompanied by the phenomenon of overall machine weakness and a decline in work efficiency.

Leakage inside valve groups such as directional control valves:

The valve core of the directional control valve that controls the lifting and Angle of the polishing disc is worn, and the seal fails, causing high-pressure oil to flow and leak inside the valve, generating heat.

Ⅲ. Cooling System Issues (Direct Cause)

Cooler blockage or damage

Air-cooled cooler: The heat dissipation fins are severely blocked by dust, oil sludge and cement powder, resulting in a sharp decline in heat dissipation efficiency. Insufficient rotational speed of the cooling fan or its complete stop can also cause the same problem. Water-cooled coolers: Scaling or blockage of impurities in the internal waterways affects the heat exchange efficiency.

Cooling fan failure

The motor driving the fan is damaged, the circuit malfunctions, or the drive belt slips or breaks, causing the fan not to rotate or the rotational speed to be too low, and thus unable to provide sufficient air volume to the cooler.

Ⅳ. Operational and External Environmental Issues

Long-term overwork

In pursuit of efficiency, operators keep the equipment running at maximum power or under overload conditions continuously, maintaining a high pressure in the hydraulic system, which naturally generates a large amount of heat.

Excessively high ambient temperature and poor ventilation

Construction is carried out in the hot summer when the ambient temperature is already high. If the equipment is still operating in an environment with poor ventilation, heat will be even more difficult to dissipate.

The return oil pipeline is blocked or bent

The return oil pipeline is not unobstructed, resulting in excessive back pressure of the return oil. When the oil returns to the oil tank, the resistance is large and additional heat will also be generated.

Suggestions for summarizing and troubleshooting steps

When it is found that the hydraulic oil temperature of the power trowel machine is too high, the following sequence of "from outside to inside, from simple to complex" can be followed for troubleshooting:

Check immediately

Stop the machine and check whether the hydraulic oil level is within the standard range.
Observe the color and condition of the hydraulic oil to see if it turns black, has excessive foam or emulsification.
Visually inspect whether the fins of the cooler are clogged with dirt.
Listen/check if the cooling fan is rotating normally.

Check during operation

Touch the hydraulic pipeline with your hand to feel which part has an abnormally high temperature, which helps to locate the fault point.
Listen for any abnormal and persistent noises from the hydraulic pump and the relief valve.

System testing (recommended to be conducted by professional maintenance personnel) :

Use a pressure gauge to test whether the working pressure of the system and the set pressure of the relief valve are normal.
Check the volumetric efficiency of the hydraulic pump (that is, determine whether the internal leakage is severe).
Clean or replace the cooler.
Check and clean the return oil filter.
The key point is that excessively high oil temperature in a hydraulic system is rarely caused by a single factor; it is usually the result of the combined effect of multiple factors. Regular maintenance (replacing hydraulic oil and filter elements, cleaning the cooler) is the key to preventing such problems. Once high temperatures occur, they must be dealt with promptly; otherwise, it will cause irreversible and serious damage to the hydraulic system.

Note: The parameters provided in this document are for reference only and are not mandatory. Due to differences in technical characteristics between different brands and models of laser levelers, please consult the manufacturer for a suitable solution before actual operation. This reference document assumes no responsibility for any issues arising from failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

 
 

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About the Author: Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.

Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech manufacturer specializing in concrete construction machinery, including laser screeds and related equipment. The company integrates R&D, production, and global sales, with products exported to over 60 countries and widely used in infrastructure projects worldwide.

Shandong Vanse Machinery

Leading manufacturer specializing in high-performance concrete laser screeds, telescopic arm flatwork handlers, and mechanical ride-on power trowels.

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