Hydraulic systems are the muscle behind heavy equipment. From raising a dump bed to moving a boom, hydraulics determine machine performance, uptime, and long-term costs. At The Utility Expo 2025 (October 7–9 in Louisville, Kentucky), attendees will have the chance to see how smart hydraulic maintenance and purchasing decisions can save time, money, and downtime.
Learning on the Show Floor
Cliff Anderson, Client Solutions Manager at Almon Inc., will lead two interactive walking classrooms on the topic of Equipment Hydraulics. Instead of sitting in a seminar, attendees will tour the show floor to see hydraulic systems in action.
With 26 years at Almon, Anderson has developed training programs for OEMs worldwide and taught hydraulic and electrical systems on nearly every continent. His experience gives him a unique perspective on both the technical side of hydraulics and the practical realities operators face.
“Time is money, and your equipment’s hydraulic system can work with you—or against you,” says Anderson. “Seeing equipment up close on the show floor makes it clear how hydraulics impact project performance.”
Why Hydraulics Matter
Hydraulic systems play a central role in fleet optimization and equipment life cycle. Anderson will show participants how understanding hydraulics can lead to:
- Reduced downtime
- Smarter purchasing decisions
- Better overall fleet efficiency
He’ll also highlight how overlooked details—like the accessibility of valve blocks or test ports—can affect long-term maintenance.
Maintenance That Saves Money
Hydraulic upkeep is more than just swapping filters. Anderson stresses the importance of preventive steps like fluid analysis, routine inspections, and operator training.
“Simple fluid analysis at each scheduled interval can shed light on problems before they become critical failures,” he explains. “Even small contamination can cause catastrophic, expensive issues. Early detection saves thousands—not just in parts, but in downtime.”
Other maintenance essentials include proper lubrication, keeping hoses clean, and replacing seals before they fail.
Training Operators to Spot Problems
One of the biggest challenges is that equipment owners are not always the operators. Anderson encourages companies to make sure operators know what to look—and listen—for during daily inspections.
“A startup checklist can catch problems before they snowball,” he says. “When operators understand how hydraulic systems work and why maintenance matters, it protects the machine and the bottom line.”
Smarter Purchasing Decisions
Hydraulic systems should also factor into buying new equipment. Anderson recommends looking beyond the price tag.
“Even if a machine costs a little more upfront, if it has easily accessible components, it may save time and effort in the long run,” he explains. “When maintenance is easy to perform, it’s less likely to be skipped.”
At The Utility Expo, Anderson will point out real-world examples of serviceability considerations directly on the machines in the outdoor lots.
See It for Yourself
The Equipment Hydraulics walking classroom gives attendees more than just theory—it provides hands-on lessons in fleet optimization, preventive maintenance, and smarter purchasing.
“It’s one thing to talk about hydraulics,” says Anderson. “It’s quite another to show them in action on the equipment itself.”
Don’t miss your chance to learn directly from the machines—and leave with practical strategies to extend equipment life and maximize performance.
There are two available sessions for this topic, and each session is only available to the first 30 people that register, so act fast!
More About The Utility Expo
The Utility Expo’s comprehensive education program is the leading source for the utility industry to obtain cutting-edge information for today’s challenging economy and business model. In addition to equipment hydraulics, topics include jobsite safety, vacuum excavating, horizontal directional drilling, drones and aerial devices, and more.
The Utility Expo 2025 takes place October 7-9, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.
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