TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Published 2026-02-24
Have you ever encountered such a situation during daily navigation: the steering gear on the ship suddenly got stuck, or the steering speed was as slow as an old ox pulling a cart, which made people sweat profusely but could not find the cause of the problem? Don't panic, today let's talk aboutmarine hydraulic steering gear .
As a vital "steering wheel" on the ship, once something goes wrong with the steering gear, it is not a trivial matter. Based on my years of accumulated experience, I will give you detailed information on how to choose a good steering gear and how to use it well, so that you can feel more confident when sailing.
If theservois stuck, it is most likely that the hydraulic oil is dirty or air has entered the system. If you think about it carefully, hydraulic oil is like the blood in our body. If there are many impurities in the blood, how can the blood vessels not be blocked? Especially for those old ships that have been used for several years, there will be a lot of iron filings and sludge accumulated in the oil pipes. These things can easily jam the reversing valve.
For old ships, the hydraulic system has been running for a long time, various components have worn out and aged, and iron filings and sludge generated in the oil pipes have continued to accumulate. Once these impurities enter the reversing valve, it will seriously affect its normal operation, leading to the steering gear getting stuck. Dirty hydraulic oil is also one of the common causes of steering gear jamming.
Another common reason is the aging of the sealing ring. The pressure of the hydraulic system is so high. Once the sealing ring is aged and damaged, the oil will leak. If the pressure cannot be increased, the rudder will naturally not be able to turn. Therefore, regular oil changes and sealing ring changes are really not the manufacturer’s attempt to make more money from you, they are basic operations to protect your life.
If you find that theservois not obedient, don't rush to dismantle it yet. You can listen to the sound. If the motor buzzes but the rudder doesn't move, it's likely that the hydraulic pump is empty. Check the oil level in the tank quickly. If there is no sound at all, it may be a circuit problem, a burned fuse or a broken relay.
Let me teach you a very practical method that can help you determine whether the servo is vibrating. When you turn the servo, if it trembles and trembles, like a person having a convulsion, it is basically certain that air has been mixed into the system. When encountering this situation, you must open the exhaust valve in time, and then continuously turn the steering gear to completely discharge the air. Remember, when troubleshooting, you must follow the order from simple to complex, but do not dismantle the equipment as soon as you start. This is likely to make the problem worse and waste time and energy.
Troubleshooting is a job that requires patience and care. The troubleshooting idea from simple to complex is very important, which allows you to find the problem more efficiently. Just like the servo vibration problem just mentioned, we first start with a simple observation phenomenon to determine whether it is caused by a relatively simple reason such as whether there is air in the system. If you blindly dismantle the equipment at first, you may not only be unable to solve the problem, but may also cause new damage due to improper operation. Therefore, only by following the correct method and order to troubleshoot problems can we solve the problem quickly and accurately and save unnecessary trouble.
Choosing a servo is like finding a partner, you are the right one. First, look at the steering torque. This must be calculated based on the tonnage and speed of your ship. A large steering gear for a small boat is a waste of money, but a small steering gear for a big boat is fatal. Generally, manufacturers will provide a recommendation list, so just follow it and choose.
Secondly, in terms of working pressure, a pressure of 16 MPa is sufficient for ordinary river ships, but a pressure of more than 25 MPa may be required for ocean-going ships. In addition, another point that is easily overlooked is the rudder angle. Generally, full left and right rudder requires 35 degrees, but some special ship types have greater requirements for this. It should be noted that these parameters are described in detail in the manual, so be sure to read it carefully before purchasing.
The steering gear turns slowly, and the most urgent moment is when leaving the dock. The problem most likely lies in the flow rate of the oil pump. You can check whether the oil pump speed is normal and whether the belt is loose. If there is no problem with the oil pump, then check the relief valve. It may be that the set pressure is too low and the oil is overflowing back.
Another possibility is that the pipeline is too thin or too long, resulting in high oil flow resistance. This is a design problem. The temporary solution is to change the hydraulic oil with a lower viscosity, which can slightly improve it. But fundamentally speaking, you still have to find the manufacturer to recalculate the pipe diameter.
I can't be too lazy to take care of it. Before sailing every day, remember to check the oil level in the fuel tank and see if there is any oil leakage in each joint. The filter should be cleaned every week, especially during the period when the new steering gear is first used, when iron filings are the most. Check the lubrication of the rods and bearings every month, and don't skimp on grease when it's time.
Another tip is to let the steering gear idle for a few minutes before the end of each voyage to let the oil temperature drop before stopping the engine. It's like you can't sit down immediately after exercising. You have to take a few steps to slow down your body. With such maintenance, the steering gear can be used for three to five years without any problem.
The biggest fear is that the rudder blades are stuck at a certain angle and cannot move, or worse, they automatically drift off. This is usually because the hydraulic lock is broken, or the reversing valve is stuck in neutral. In this case, do not force the operation, switch to the backup pump quickly, and if it still doesn't work, perform emergency steering.
Therefore, the boat must be equipped with two independent hydraulic systems, just like spare tires, which can save lives at critical moments. You should also practice emergency steering on a regular basis so that you will not panic when something happens. Remember, steering gear failure is not a trivial matter. Replace parts when necessary, and contact the manufacturer when necessary. Don’t just make do with it.
Having said that, I would like to ask you, when was the last time the hydraulic steering gear was inspected on your boat? Have you ever encountered any weird glitches? Welcome to share your experience in the comment area. If you find it useful, don’t forget to like and forward it so that more shipmates can see it!
Update Time：2026-02-24
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