Hydraulic tools

[Whitt]

Anyone have experience using hydraulic tools underwater? I'm especially interested in the requirements regarding the power unit and reservoir as they relate to the depth/length of hose. We have a stanley grinder and chipping hammer with 50' of hose. Wondering if same tools would work with say 200' of hose at depth?

 

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[ropesfish]

Hydraulics are a closed system, so as long as you are operating in diver depths you will never have an issue. The pressure outside the system will have no effect on the pressure inside the system until you get into deep ocean equipment. Deeper than 6 or 8000' fsw there might be cause for armored hoses, but we will let the nice people @ Oceaneering worry about that. Whether your tools will stand operating at depth may be a different issue.
Air tools would be a different case entirely.
You will want to be sure to use a bio-degradable fluid to ensure that if a hose breaks that the escaping oil won't cause a slick and a fine.
I hope this helps.

 

[Whitt]

Thanks, I guess I meant to ask more about the reservoir requirements as they relate to the length of hose. Our boat is set up for hydraulic tools, but currently we only have 50' hoses. I'd like to take tools down significantly deeper (as deep as 250'). I guess as long as the hoses are filled with hydraulic fluid it shouldn't matter? I think the reservoir is about 10 gallons. Thanks!

 

[ropesfish]

Whitt,
As long as you have enough to fill the hoses and the reservoir, you are good to go.

 

[Whitt]

Great, thanks! I'll let you know how I make out.