The service call often begins with a vague error message: “The machine is losing power – but why?” A cylinder moves unevenly, the motion sequences seem imprecise, and the cycle times are off. On-site, there’s usually uncertainty: Is the pump to blame? A valve? Or the pressure system?
Scenarios like this are commonplace, especially with hydraulically powered systems and mobile machinery. While the symptoms are often obvious, the actual causes remain hidden. Without proper measurement technology, the only option is trial and error: components are replaced based on guesswork, downtimes increase, and confidence in the system erodes.
What’s missing is a fast, precise, and mobile diagnostic tool, ideally with minimal equipment overhead. This is exactly where the MultiSystem 5070 comes in: it simultaneously records pressure, flow rate, temperature, and signal curves – in real time and with the highest accuracy. Troubleshooting shifts from guesswork to targeted analysis – and the root cause becomes visible.
→ The Problem: Hydraulic Issues in Everyday Operations
Hydraulic systems are the backbone of many industrial and mobile machines. But when they don’t function properly, the consequences are often not just technical, but also economically significant. Malfunctions frequently occur suddenly and without clear cause – and are difficult to analyze without targeted measurement technology.
The following overview shows the most common symptoms and the reasons why identifying the root cause quickly is often a challenge:
| Symptom | Typical Effects | Why the Cause Is Hard to Identify |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure drop | Loss of performance, incomplete motion sequences | Internal leakage, defective valves, leaking hoses – often with no visible signs |
| Unstable movements | Jerking, oscillation, uncontrolled motion profiles | Could be mechanical, hydraulic, or control-related |
| Slow or jerky cylinder movement | Cycle times cannot be maintained, reduced functionality | Almost impossible to diagnose without simultaneous pressure and flow measurement |
| Overheating or unusual noises | Pump damage, oil degradation, risk of safety shutdown | Thermal and hydraulic data are often completely missing |
Why These Problems Are Difficult to Analyze:
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Complex interactions: Faults rarely occur in isolation – hydraulics, mechanics, and control systems influence each other.
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No real-time measurement: With conventional tools, it is nearly impossible to capture multiple key values (pressure, temperature, flow rate, etc.) simultaneously.
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No complete picture: Without parallel data acquisition, analysis remains incomplete – the symptoms are treated, but not the underlying cause.
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→ Typical Hidden Causes
Even though symptoms such as power loss or unstable movement are clearly noticeable, the underlying causes often remain hidden deep within the hydraulic system. These faults cannot be identified by visual inspection alone and require targeted measurements.
The following issues are among the most common – they are not visible, but they can be detected with the MultiSystem 5070:
| Hidden Cause | Effect in Operation | What Can Be Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Internal leakage (e.g. defective piston seal) |
Loss of performance, cylinder does not reach end position, energy loss | Pressure drop, reduced flow rate, unstable signal curves |
| Clogged filters or check valves | Sluggish response, pressure fluctuations, noise | Pressure difference before/after component, reduced flow |
| Incorrect valve settings | Imprecise or unstable motion, switching issues | Pressure spikes, asymmetric flow patterns |
| Undetected cavitation | Noise, material wear, heat buildup | Pressure drop below vapor pressure, rising temperature, pulsations |
| Pressure spikes during switching operations | Damage to components, increased maintenance costs | Short, high-frequency pressure peaks (only measurable with fast sampling) |
Why These Causes Are Often Overlooked Without Measurement Technology:
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They are dynamic: Many faults occur only briefly or under load – not during idle or standby.
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They do not act in isolation: A leak may, for example, cause a pressure drop, which in turn affects other components – cause and effect become blurred.
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Manual test routines are not sufficient: Pressure gauges or flow meters show momentary values – but not trends, events, or interrelationships.
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Lack of data logic: Without simultaneous acquisition of multiple parameters (pressure, temperature, flow, signal), every diagnosis remains incomplete.
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The Difference: Making Issues Visible with the MultiSystem 5070
The MultiSystem 5070 eliminates these uncertainties.
The device offers:
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Simultaneous multi-channel measurement (pressure, flow, temperature, frequency, CAN, etc.)
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Real-time data display and high-frequency recording (up to 10 kHz)
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Mobile on-site use – directly at the system, without a laptop or external power supply
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Smart analysis via software (HydroGraph, HydroCom)
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This turns vague symptoms into reproducible, data-driven problems – with clear causes and actionable solutions.
→ Practical Example: When the Cylinder Jerks – Targeted Troubleshooting with the MultiSystem 5070
A customer reports a recurring issue on a hydraulic press:
The cylinder moves jerkily and unevenly during retraction, and the motion cannot be controlled. The press fails to reach its end position reliably, leading to production interruptions and waste. Maintenance personnel are puzzled – there are no visible issues, the control system appears intact, and the hydraulic fluid is fresh.
To investigate the root cause, the MultiSystem 5070 is deployed:
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On-site connection of the device to pressure ports before and after the valve block
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Additionally, a flow sensor is integrated into the supply line
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Measurement is performed synchronously and in real time, with a sampling rate of several thousand values per second
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Even the first cylinder motion provides a clear clue:
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The pressure curve shows strong fluctuations, even though the control signal remains constant
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At the same time, the flow rate is inconsistent, with drops and delays
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Notably, a short pressure spike followed by a drop occurs during switching
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The analysis indicates a mechanical obstruction in the flow path.
Upon targeted disassembly, the cause is identified:
A check valve in the control block is slightly misaligned – it opens incompletely and intermittently blocks the return flow.
The valve is replaced.
Result: Cylinder movement is smooth again, the pressure curve is stable, and the flow is consistent. The machine runs without issues – and the problem is resolved without unnecessary part replacements.
→ Benefits for Users: What the MultiSystem 5070 Really Delivers in Practice
The MultiSystem 5070 not only impresses with its technical capabilities but especially with its practical benefits for service technicians, maintenance personnel, and developers. It solves real problems – quickly, reliably, and without detours.
The key benefits at a glance:
1. Rapid fault identification – less downtime, more productivity
Hydraulic issues can be pinpointed with the 5070. Instead of searching for days or swapping components based on assumptions, the device provides usable diagnostic data within minutes. This reduces costly downtime and speeds up system recovery.
2. Documented measurement results – for internal reports and external communication
Whether for customers, supervisors, or quality assurance: the 5070 enables comprehensive documentation of measurement results. Pressure curves, flow profiles, and diagnostic data can be exported as graphics or data files – clearly traceable and audit-proof. This makes your work transparent and professionally verifiable.
3. No more blind swapping – identify root causes instead of guessing
In many operations, the standard approach to faults is replacing components “just in case.” This is expensive, inefficient – and often unsuccessful. The MultiSystem 5070 changes this: through precise, system-level diagnostics, faulty components can be specifically identified and replaced only when truly necessary.
4. One device, many measurement types – compact, mobile, flexible
Instead of using several single-purpose devices, the 5070 combines pressure, temperature, flow, frequency, and even CAN bus measurements in one compact system. This eliminates the need for multiple connections, manual matching, or separate software. It saves space, time – and hassle.
5. Pays for itself from the first use
The cost of the device is often recovered after the first successful troubleshooting operation. Avoiding a single downtime event or making a targeted component replacement instead of swapping an entire control block can justify the investment – not to mention the reputational benefit of professional, rapid problem resolution.
Those who work regularly with hydraulic systems – in maintenance, field service, or development – will quickly come to rely on the MultiSystem 5070. It is not just another diagnostic tool, but a genuine problem-solving instrument that has proven itself in the field: fast, reliable, and cost-effective.
→ In Summary: From Guesswork to Targeted Diagnosis
In practice, it becomes clear time and again:
Without precise measurement technology, troubleshooting in hydraulic systems is little more than guesswork.
Symptoms like pressure drop, jerky motion, or loss of performance point to a problem – but without hard data, the root cause usually remains unknown. The result is unnecessary downtime, costly component replacements based on guesswork, and a high workload for service and maintenance teams.
The MultiSystem 5070 puts an end to this uncertainty.
With its ability to record multiple parameters simultaneously and in real time, it delivers clear, reliable diagnostic data – directly at the machine, with minimal setup. Whether in service, preventive maintenance, or development, the 5070 is a dependable tool for anyone working with hydraulic systems.
And best of all:
The investment often pays off faster than expected.
A single successful troubleshooting case – without blind replacement or unnecessary downtime – may already be enough to justify the device. No unnecessary features, no gimmicks – just real, measurable help in everyday work.