Specifications
| Auger/Chain Port | 1/2 SAE ORB (-8) |
|---|---|
| GPS Capable? | No |
| GPS Included? | No |
| Hoist Action | Power Up/Power Down - 1 Port Relief |
| Hoist Control Included | Yes |
| Hoist Control Type | Electric |
| Inlet Port | 3/4 SAE ORB (-12) |
| Magnetic Drain Plug | Yes |
| Main Relief Setting | 3000 |
| Maximum Flow Rate | 28 |
| Maximum Pressure | 3000 |
| Number of Functions Supported | 4 |
| Oil Level/Temperature Gauge Included | Yes |
| Outlet Port | 2 NPT |
| Plow Action | Power Up/Power Down |
| Plow Control Included | Yes |
| Plow Control Type | Electric |
| Port Relief Angle | 1800 |
| Port Relief Hoist | 500 |
| Reservoir Material | 304 Stainless Steel |
| Reservoir Mount Position | Side Mount |
| Reservoir Type | Compact |
| Reservoir Volume (Gal.) | 15 |
| Return Line Filter Flow Rating | 26 |
| Return Line Filter Included? | Yes |
| Return Line Filter Rating | 10 |
| Spinner Port | 1/2 SAE ORB (-8) |
| Spreader Control Included | Yes |
| Spreader Control Type | Electric Over Hydraulic |
| Spreader Controller | HVC05 |
| Suction Filter Rating | 150 |
| Suction Filter Flow Rating | 49 |
| Suction Filter Included? | Yes |
| Suction Port | 2 NPT |
| Work Ports | 1/2 SAE ORB (-8) |
Technical Deep Dive: The Buyers Products 15 Gallon Central Hydraulic System
The Buyers Products 15 Gallon Central Hydraulic System represents a robust and highly integrated solution for managing diverse auxiliary functions on municipal and commercial vehicles. Engineered for efficiency and reliability, this system centralizes the hydraulic power unit (HPU) and control mechanisms, optimizing performance for demanding applications such as snow and ice removal, material handling, and general utility operations. This technical overview elaborates on the design principles, component specifications, operational advantages, and inherent capabilities of this advanced hydraulic solution.
System Architecture and Centralization Philosophy
At its core, the Buyers Products Central Hydraulic System redefines the approach to auxiliary equipment power. Unlike traditional, distributed hydraulic systems that often require multiple pumps, reservoirs, and complex plumbing for each attachment, this unit provides a singular, integrated power source. This centralization offers several critical advantages:
- Enhanced Efficiency: A single, optimally sized hydraulic pump (implied by the 28 GPM maximum flow rate, driving the 11 GPM plow lift and other functions) operates at its peak efficiency range, reducing energy consumption and parasitic losses compared to multiple smaller pumps.
- Reduced Complexity: By consolidating the reservoir, valves, and filtration into one compact assembly, the system significantly streamlines installation and reduces the number of potential leak points, a common failure mode in hydraulic circuits.
- Optimized Maintenance: All critical hydraulic components are housed within a single, protected enclosure, making inspection, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance tasks, such as filter replacement and fluid level checks, more accessible and less time-consuming.
- Space Economy: The compact design and side-mount reservoir position free up valuable chassis space, allowing for greater flexibility in vehicle upfitting and payload capacity.
- Improved Thermal Management: A larger, central reservoir (15 gallons) offers a greater surface area for heat dissipation and a larger volume of fluid, contributing to more stable operating temperatures and extended hydraulic fluid life.
Reservoir and Fluid Management Subsystem
The integrity of any hydraulic system begins with its reservoir and fluid management components. The Buyers Products 15 Gallon Central Hydraulic System features a meticulously designed reservoir assembly, constructed from premium materials and equipped with essential monitoring and filtration elements.
Reservoir Construction and Capacity
The 15-gallon reservoir is fabricated from 304 stainless steel, a material renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance. This is particularly crucial in environments where road salts, chemicals, and extreme weather conditions prevail. Stainless steel offers superior resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and general rust, ensuring a long service life for the reservoir itself and preventing particulate contamination from material degradation. The compact design and side-mount position are engineered for optimal fitment on various chassis configurations, maximizing volumetric efficiency without compromising structural integrity or accessibility.
Filtration and Contamination Control
Hydraulic fluid cleanliness is paramount for the longevity and performance of hydraulic components. This system integrates a multi-stage filtration strategy:
- In-Tank Return Filter Assembly: Positioned within the return line, this filter boasts a 10-micron rating and a flow rating of 26 GPM. Its primary function is to capture particulate contaminants, such as wear debris and environmental ingress, before the fluid returns to the main reservoir for recirculation. A 10-micron rating is critical for protecting sensitive components like proportional valves and pumps from abrasive wear. Regular replacement of this filter element is essential for maintaining system cleanliness and preventing component premature failure.
- Suction Filter/Strainer Breather Cap Assembly: The system includes a filler-strainer breather cap assembly, which incorporates a 150-micron suction filter and a flow rating of 49 GPM. This component serves a dual purpose: it acts as a primary barrier against large particulates entering the system during fluid refills, and its breather function allows clean, filtered air to enter and exit the reservoir as the fluid level fluctuates, preventing vacuum or pressure buildup and inhibiting airborne contamination. The magnetic drain plug further enhances contamination control by attracting and retaining ferrous metallic particles, providing an early indicator of potential internal wear.
Monitoring critical system parameters is facilitated by a shielded sight temperature gauge, offering operators immediate visual feedback on fluid level and temperature. Maintaining hydraulic fluid within specified temperature ranges is vital, as excessive heat can degrade fluid properties, damage seals, and reduce overall system efficiency.
Port Configuration
The system's hydraulic connections are designed for robust and leak-free operation:
- Inlet Port: A 3/4 SAE ORB (-12) port serves as the main inlet for the hydraulic pump, ensuring adequate flow to the system. SAE ORB (O-Ring Boss) connections are favored for their superior sealing capabilities under high pressure, minimizing leakage.
- Suction Port: A 2 NPT port handles the suction line from the reservoir to the pump, engineered for low restriction to prevent pump cavitation.
- Outlet Port: A 2 NPT port facilitates the primary return line, or potentially a power-beyond loop, from the system back to the reservoir.
- Work Ports: All work ports for auger/chain, spinner, and general functions are standardized to 1/2 SAE ORB (-8), ensuring consistent, reliable connections for actuators.
Integrated Control System and Valve Enclosure
The heart of the system's operational intelligence lies within its valve enclosure and sophisticated electric-over-hydraulic control architecture. This design significantly enhances user experience and installation efficiency.
Valve Enclosure Design
The valve enclosure, seamlessly integrated with the reservoir, features a latching stainless steel lid. This robust cover provides critical protection for the hydraulic valves against physical damage, moisture, salt spray, and road debris, ensuring their reliable operation in harsh environments. The direct mounting of all directional valves and spreader controls onto the tank assembly is a key design feature, drastically simplifying plumbing. This "manifold" approach:
- Reduces the number of hoses and fittings, minimizing installation time and material costs.
- Decreases the potential for hydraulic fluid leaks.
- Improves diagnostic and service accessibility, as all control elements are co-located.
- Contributes to a cleaner, more organized vehicle installation.
Electric-Over-Hydraulic Controls (In-Cab)
The transition to electric in-cab controls is a significant ergonomic and practical enhancement. By transmitting control signals electrically rather than hydraulically, the system eliminates the need to route high-pressure hydraulic lines into the vehicle cabin. This yields several benefits:
- Operator Comfort and Safety: The cab remains quieter, cooler, and free from the inherent risks associated with hydraulic fluid leaks or hose ruptures inside the operator's compartment.
- Simplified Installation: Wiring is significantly easier and quicker to run through the chassis compared to hydraulic hoses, reducing labor and specialized tooling requirements.
- Advanced Control Capabilities: Electric controls enable precise, proportional modulation of hydraulic flow, which is crucial for functions like material spreading.
The intuitive in-cab control panel features an LED display, indexed dials, and a plow switch with detents. The LED display provides clear operational feedback, while indexed dials allow for repeatable and precise adjustments to spreader and auger speeds. The plow switch with detents provides a "float" position, allowing the plow to follow the contours of the road surface without transferring the full weight of the plow to the vehicle chassis, thereby reducing wear and stress on both the plow and the truck.
4-Function Operational Capabilities
This central hydraulic system is engineered to simultaneously manage up to four distinct functions, providing unparalleled versatility for multi-purpose vehicles. The core functions supported include hoist, plow, spreader, and pre-wet systems.
Plow System: Precision and Protection
The system delivers dedicated hydraulic power for plow operations, featuring a 3-way plow lift for power up/power down capabilities and 4-way plow angle control (left/right). The main hydraulic circuit for the plow is rated for 11 GPM, providing ample speed and force for rapid plow positioning. Integrated into the plow circuit are two port relief valves set at 1800 psi. These valves are critical safety and performance features, designed to protect the plow cylinders and hydraulic hoses from over-pressurization caused by impact loads or mechanical obstructions during angling. The float position, engaged via the in-cab switch's detent, allows the plow blade to articulate vertically, minimizing damage from uneven surfaces and optimizing snow removal efficiency by maintaining consistent ground contact.
Hoist System: Controlled Lifting and Lowering
The 4-way double-acting (DA) dump hoist capability ensures robust power-up and power-down operations, suitable for various dump body configurations. A dedicated port relief for the hoist, set at 500 psi, is specifically calibrated to control the rate of descent and prevent uncontrolled dropping of the dump body, enhancing safety and extending the life of hydraulic cylinders. The inclusion of a "power beyond" port is a significant feature, allowing the system to transmit full pressure and flow to additional hydraulic circuits or attachments downstream, without interrupting the operation of existing functions. This expands the system's adaptability for future additions or specialized tools.
Spreader System: Proportional Material Application
The system's advanced proportional spreader operation is a cornerstone of its design, enabling precise and variable material distribution. This includes control for the auger/conveyor, spinner, and pre-wet systems. The HVC05 spreader controller, an integral part of this setup, allows for fine-tuning of material flow rates and spread patterns. An adjustable flow divider valve, capable of handling up to 30 GPM, ensures optimal distribution of hydraulic flow to the auger (via a 1/2 SAE ORB -8 port) and spinner (via a 1/2 SAE ORB -8 port), maintaining consistent and accurate material delivery regardless of varying loads or operating conditions. This precision minimizes material waste, reduces operational costs, and enhances environmental stewardship.
Pre-Wet System: Enhanced Adhesion and Efficacy
The integrated pre-wet capability further enhances the effectiveness of de-icing operations. Pre-wetting dry granular materials with liquid agents improves their adhesion to road surfaces, reduces bounce and scatter, and accelerates their chemical action. The system supports this function, allowing operators to deploy pre-wet agents seamlessly alongside dry material spreading, optimizing performance in diverse winter conditions.
Performance Specifications and Operating Parameters
The Buyers Products 15 Gallon Central Hydraulic System is meticulously engineered to meet demanding performance criteria, ensuring reliable operation under pressure.
- Maximum Flow Rate: With a maximum flow rate of 28 GPM, the system is capable of powering multiple functions simultaneously and rapidly, ensuring responsive control and quick cycle times for high-demand applications.
- Maximum Pressure and Main Relief Setting: The system is rated for a maximum pressure of 3000 psi, with the main relief valve set at 3000 psi. This main relief valve acts as the primary safeguard for the entire hydraulic circuit, preventing over-pressurization that could damage the pump, hoses, or other components. When system pressure exceeds this threshold, the valve safely diverts excess fluid back to the reservoir, protecting the integrity of the system.
- Specific Port Relief Settings: In addition to the main relief, function-specific port reliefs are precisely calibrated: 1800 psi for plow angle operations and 500 psi for hoist down control. These lower, function-specific relief settings allow for precise load control and protection against shock loads or excessive force in particular actuators, without unnecessarily cycling the main relief valve.
Considerations for Critical Load Holding and GPS Capability
While this specific configuration of the Buyers Products 15 Gallon Central Hydraulic System does not include GPS, it is important to acknowledge the advanced capabilities inherent in the broader product line, which can often be found in other variants. The optional GPS-based ground speed control system, when integrated, enables intelligent material spreading by automatically adjusting the flow rate of spread materials based on vehicle speed. This ensures a consistent application rate per linear foot, irrespective of changes in vehicle velocity. Such precision drastically reduces material consumption, environmental impact, and operational costs. Features like programmable blast times (1-30 seconds) and low-pressure pre-wet indicators, available with GPS versions, further enhance the system's intelligence and operator feedback.
For applications requiring critical load holding, such as certain types of aerial work platforms or specialized hoists where unintended load movement could pose significant safety risks, the integration of Pilot Operated (P.O.) checks or counterbalance valves is strongly recommended. These specialized valves prevent hydraulic cylinders from drifting or retracting under load in the event of hose failure or accidental valve shift, providing an additional layer of safety and control.
Installation, Serviceability, and Applications
The design ethos of the Buyers Products Central Hydraulic System emphasizes ease of installation and service. The pre-assembled nature of the reservoir and valve manifold significantly reduces the complexity and time required for setup. Simplified plumbing, with fewer external components, means fewer connections to make and fewer opportunities for errors during installation. Similarly, routine servicing is streamlined. All filters are readily accessible, and the consolidated design allows for efficient diagnostics.
This system is ideally suited for light to medium-duty applications, encompassing a wide range of commercial and municipal vehicles. Typical uses include:
- Municipal snowplows and salt/sand spreaders for roads, parking lots, and campuses.
- Dump trucks requiring reliable hoist operation for material delivery.
- Utility vehicles needing a centralized hydraulic power source for various tools and attachments.
The robust 304 stainless steel construction, coupled with sophisticated electric-over-hydraulic controls and precise functional capabilities, ensures that the Buyers Products 15 Gallon Central Hydraulic System delivers dependable performance, superior control, and long-term durability in even the most challenging operational environments. It represents a strategic investment for organizations seeking to optimize the efficiency, safety, and versatility of their mobile equipment fleets.
