Learn about hydraulics?

jaydee325 · Dec 22, 2015

John Deere publishes a series of manuals called Fundamentals of Service, covering all facets of equipment repair. These manuals are not make or model specific. They cover the basics and beyond.

As a student back in the late '70s (yikes!) at Ferris State College Heavy Equipment Service school, we used several of these manuals as text books. I still refer to them today. The FOS covering hydraulics is particularly good I think and would be just the ticket for someone wanting to learn about hydraulics.

Link

mddorange · Dec 22, 2015

Good Info Jay. Thanks for the link.

muddstopper · Dec 24, 2015

Having worked around specialized hydraulic equipment for almost 40 years, It was only recently that I discovered I didnt know anywhere near as much as I thought I did. I could trouble shoot and replace a part, but understanding how that part actually worked escaped me. I acquired a couple of Livingston and Hales course books and stated doing a little reading about the basics. I then found a youtube site that taught a actual hydraulic course. 30 some odd videos including the basic math and some really good instruction on valves and pumps. I found I could listen to the instructor, rewind if I didnt understand it, and I feel I learnt a lot in a very short time. Heres the start of the youtube videos. Warning, theres about 30 some odd hours of videos and their pretty addictive once you start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bac__zSlZlk&list=PL68FA436463CE454D

Walkin Horse · Dec 24, 2015

Are they in order that you need to watch them. Or does it matter. I would think I should watch the fundamentals before the math. They look very interesting. Thanks.

muddstopper · Dec 24, 2015

Math is number one and formulas are used all thru the series. I sort of skipped around, but ended up going back to the start and watching them. Of course I was laid up for 8 wks so I didnt have anything better to do. Jim Pytel, the instructor also has his own channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/bigbadtech He goes over some of the same hydraulics there as he does in the other videos, but he has a bunch of other topics he also goes over. More geared to renewable energy.