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MEM27017 Current

Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to test, fault find and rectify hydraulic systems used in the earthmoving, agricultural and transport industries.

It covers identifying the hydraulic system and components used on mobile plant, general servicing and identifying faults that are related to electronic and fieldbus controls and communication.

Where the rectification of electronic controls is required unit MEM27016 Diagnose and maintain electronic controlling systems on mobile and stationary plant should also be selected.

Where the rectification of communication systems is required unit MEM27018 test, diagnose and rectify mobile and stationary plant external monitoring and control systems should also be selected.

Where the rectification of fieldbus controls is required unit MEM27023 Diagnose and rectify fieldbus circuits in mobile and stationary plant and equipment should also be selected.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

1. Determine job requirements

  • 1.1 Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • 1.2 Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times
  • 1.3 Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs
  • 1.4 Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions

2. Secure system from potentially hazardous situations

  • 2.1 Identify sources of stored energy and assess mobile plant for potentially hazardous situations and conditions
  • 2.2 Bleed down accumulators and position actuators to remove stored energy in accordance with manufacturer instructions

3. Identify equipment hydraulic systems and relevant operational data

  • 3.1 Check specifications and drawings for mobile equipment systems, actuators and accessories dependent on hydraulic power
  • 3.2 Identify control modules and fieldbus wiring locations for hydraulic systems
  • 3.3 Consult equipment operator where appropriate and collect additional data on equipment performance and faults
  • 3.4 Check previous maintenance reports and preventative maintenance schedules and review for additional fault-finding data

4. Check hydraulic system components and fluid

  • 4.1 Identify system components using appropriate circuit diagrams or manufacturer instructions
  • 4.2 Inspect equipment for obvious faults, leaks and contamination
  • 4.3 Access, inspect and test the operational function of components in accordance with SOPs
  • 4.4 Trace and localise faults with reference to manufacturer troubleshooting procedures, including using accessing and interpreting fault codes in controllers
  • 4.5 Determine parts that require repair or replacement
  • 4.6 Check hydraulic fluid and components for signs of contamination

5. Rectify component faults

  • 5.1 Remove faulty components from system using appropriate tools, procedures and techniques
  • 5.2 Source replacement components from manufacturer/supplier
  • 5.3 Prepare and assemble hoses, tubes and pipework
  • 5.4 Assemble and refit replacement components and conductors to system
  • 5.5 Replace filter or fluid where required
  • 5.6 Test and adjust system for correct operation according to SOPs

6. Dismantle, inspect and rectify linear actuators

  • 6.1 Dismantle hydraulic cylinders and rams using appropriate tools, procedures and techniques
  • 6.2 Evaluate component parts for condition
  • 6.3 Fit seals and bearings in accordance with manufacturer specifications
  • 6.4 Reassemble and fit cylinders/rams in accordance with manufacturer instructions
  • 6.5 Test assembly in accordance with manufacturer instructions

7. Complete maintenance and fault rectification work

  • 7.1 Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and other hydraulic systems servicing according to manufacturer schedules and instructions
  • 7.2 Verify correct operation of the system using fluid power principles and manufacturer instructions
  • 7.3 Instigate appropriate follow-up procedures
  • 7.4 Update maintenance and service records

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:

following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices

identifying and interpreting specifications, charts, lists, drawings and other applicable reference documents to maintain hydraulic systems on mobile plant

identifying sources of stored energy and hazardous situations/conditions, including bleeding down accumulators and position actuators, and applying appropriate safety measures

fault finding hydraulic system down to component level using appropriate fluid power principles and procedures

inspecting and testing components using appropriate equipment in accordance with procedures

identifying and tracing fieldbus circuits and control modules related to hydraulic systems on equipment

removing/refitting faulty components to system, including pipes, hoses, conductors and fittings and where appropriate cutting and assembling conductors to length using appropriate tooling/machine, techniques and procedures

undertaking calculation and numerical operations associated with maintaining fluid power systems on mobile plant

testing and adjusting replacement components for correct operation and compliance to specifications

dismantling linear actuators without damage using appropriate tools, techniques/procedures and safety measures and using specifications to identify performance/condition of cylinders and rams for wear and damage

fitting seals and bearings and reassembling cylinder/ram in accordance with manufacturer instructions

refitting and testing assembly to machine and verifying repairs on machine circuit and/or test rig to specifications

carrying out general servicing of hydraulic system in accordance with manufacturer instructions

recording/reporting service activities in accordance with SOPs.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

different sources of stored energy and their applications and reasons for bleeding accumulators and actuators and the hazards associated with working on pressurised systems

open circuit hydraulic systems, including:

applications

fixed displacement pump systems, including simple Open centre DCV systems and closed centre with bypass (3 port) compensator inlet

variable displacement pump systems, including pre and post-compensated systems

open centre systems

pump control systems, including proportional displacement control for open circuit pumps

common faults and preventative maintenance

closed circuit systems, including:

applications

simple fixed/variable pumps with manual control

common faults and preventative maintenance

full range of hydraulic system components in a mobile plant application

information on circuit diagram or manufacturer instructions

characteristics and operational function of each system component

impact of other equipment systems on the hydraulic system

methods and techniques for tracing and localising faults and problems and reasons relating to faulty hydraulic system components/ operation in accordance with specifications

procedures for:

inspecting and testing hydraulic system components and equipment to be used

checking and adjusting the system

dismantling linear actuators and tools, techniques, procedures and safety measures to be used

fitting bearings and seals

reassembly/fitting of cylinder/ram and sequence to be used

testing and verifying repairs using machine circuits and/or test rigs and necessary remedial action

common faults in hydraulic components

specifications and correct operation of each hydraulic system component and conductors

removal methods for various components

information in catalogues or electronic media and procedures to obtain replacement parts

typical conductor types and fittings their applications

methods for cutting/assembling hoses/tubes/pipework

tools and techniques for fitting replacement components and conductors

methods of inspection and measurement and guides and specifications for reusable parts

manufacturer scheduled service timeframes, service items and service procedures.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in maintaining, fault finding and rectifying hydraulic systems for mobile plant at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacement and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacement or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires

Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Foundation Skills

  • text: This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Prerequisite Units

Parent Qualifications

Related Units

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Last updated from training.gov.au: 25 February 2026