Small Hydraulic Systems
Hydraulic Fluid Maintenance for Small Hydraulic Systems
Hydraulic systems offer many benefits that the system user could leverage to perform and accomplish a wide range of complex tasks.
However, plenty of maintenance issues such as leaks could make it difficult to conduct operations and this could have a significant impact on your business.
In small hydraulic systems, preventive maintenance is often recommended because it is not as costly and can help to detect and prevent issues before they become major and cause you to part with huge amounts of money.
Here are hydraulic fluid maintenance best practices for small hydraulic systems.
Hydraulic machinery and equipment are powered by hydraulic fluid and you need to pay extra attention to this component if you want the best performance.
Hydraulic fluid has several functions: minimising wear and tear, friction reduction, system protection from rust and deposits, heat removal, debris removal, and dirt removal to ensure the system is clean and performs as expected.
Some of the problems that could cause hydraulic fluid to go bad include system contamination, a dirty operating environment, and system overheating among others. Here’s how to take care of hydraulic fluid for small hydraulic systems.
Preventing the system from overheating
When hydraulic fluid is pushed through the tubing, pumps, and relief valves, it gets hot, and if the temperature of the system is too low, the reservoir begins to develop signs of condensation and this can result in pump cavitation.
When the temperature gets too high, however, oxidation that causes sludge and varnish occurs. Therefore, perform regular maintenance to prevent overheating.
Maintaining cleanliness of the system
System cleanliness is important if you want to prevent contamination, as water, dirt and metal debris can enter the system and cause problems. So, you should cover the reservoir, and ensure drain lines are always clean.
Regularly test oil for contaminants
Keeping the fluid clean at all cost should be your priority and you should also test oil regularly for contaminants.
You should also store hydraulic fluid in the right containers in a clean environment and clean the cap prior to adding hydraulic fluid.
Regularly check and change fluid filters and add filter oil to the system using portable filters to obtain the best results.
Common causes of small hydraulic system breakdown include clogged and dirty oil filters, leaking seals, using incorrect type of oil, loose inlets, and excessive oil temperature or pressure.
However, the majority of these problems can be overcome via a planned maintenance routine.
So, if whether you live in Kent, London, Essex, Heathrow or any other part of the UK, you should ensure you find a reliable engineer or technician who understands small hydraulic systems to help you with regular preventive maintenance.
Oxidation and corrosion have been identified as aspects that considerably hamper the proper functioning of the hydraulic fluid.
Oxygen and particles in the air can cause hydraulic fluid contamination and significantly reduce the life of your hydraulic fluid.
Regardless, you should always consult a professional hydraulic engineer who understands small hydraulic systems before change any hydraulic oil, especially if you’re not sure of what to do.
