Longwall Leg Cylinder Safety: Hazards & Prevention

Longwall support cylinder legs are hydraulic devices used in mining. Hydraulic pressure may cause these devices to fail. There are a number of safety issues surrounding failure of these devices.

Hydraulic Pressure

• There have been cases reported of longwall leg cylinders failing due to dangerously high hydraulic pressure. When a dangerous amount of pressure is applied to these devices, they may become cracked, which causes leaks, or they may even explode.

Causes

• A common cause of increased hydraulic pressure is a blocked return line. If you notice a return line is blocked, or if you notice oil or other liquids leaking from the cylinder, report it immediately.

Preventative Measures

• In order to avoid failure of these cylinders, identify what sorts of electrical problems can result in a blocked return line. Moreover, always ensure that you know the manufacturer's recommendation for the maximum allowable amount of hydraulic pressure.