Industrial Maintenance Technician Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

When a hydraulic pump is cavitating, it indicates that the pump is experiencing a condition where vapor bubbles form in the fluid due to low pressure at the pump inlet. This often happens when there is insufficient liquid in the fluid reservoir. Therefore, checking the fluid level in the tank is crucial because low fluid levels can significantly reduce the incoming hydraulic fluid to the pump.

If the fluid level is too low, the pump can draw in air, which leads to cavitation and can cause performance issues and potential damage to the pump components. Maintaining an adequate fluid level helps ensure that the pump operates efficiently and prevents the formation of vapor bubbles, thus avoiding cavitation.

While fluid temperature, pressure readings, and motor speed can also be related to the symptoms of cavitation or can influence the performance of the hydraulic system, they do not address the root cause of cavitation as directly as checking the fluid level.