The Critical Role of Fluid Cleanliness in Hydraulic Systems

Hydraulic fluid is the most important part of hydraulic systems. It provides the energy transmission through the system that enables the work and motion to occur. They are also responsible for lubrication, heat transfer, sealing, and contamination removal. When the fluid is not clean, the system cannot work as it should, leading to corrosion and clogged filters.

How important is fluid cleanliness in a hydraulic system?

It is essential. Fluids are the most important of all the components on your hydraulic system and if contaminated the effects can be damaging and require repair, naturally.

What Happens to Your Hydraulic System if the Fluid isn’t clean?

Hydraulic systems rely on clean fluid to run correctly. If the system has old fluid, you’re running the risk of having your entire system fail. It can cause machine failure and increase the cost of running your business. With today’s modern systems, cleanliness means they run better at high-performance levels and increase production.

Overheating – dirty oil can cause your machine to overheat, which may lose some of its viscosity. If this isn’t rectified quickly, it becomes a problem since they rely on consistent pressure to operate correctly. Overheating also causes oil to burn, leading to contamination and particles floating. When this occurs, it can cause abrasion to the machine.

Fluid contamination – dirty fluid can become contaminated with particles and condensation, air, and dust. Both dust and particles in the fluid can lead to machinery failure. Condensation contamination occurs when moisture forms inside your machine, which may lead to rust and corrosion. Air contamination causes the fluid to become more elastic. When this happens, It can’t compress the fluids easily. This leads to your machine not performing well and may lead to cavitation.

Oxidation – oxidative degradation typically can only be discovered through advanced oil tests. This occurs when old fluid begins to degrade and oxidize. The first sign is a foul smell and dark-looking hydraulic fluid.

Additive depletion occurs over time due to additives placed in the hydraulic system lessening due to burnup and other causes. If they deplete too much, you’ll need to change all of the oil in your machine.

Benefits of Clean Hydraulic Fluids

• Decreased downtime – The leading cause of machine downtime is contaminated fluids. This leads to a loss of productivity and can put an unnecessary financial strain on the company.

• Reduced waste – When your fluid is clean, you don’t have to change the filter as often. Every filter change may lead to 5 to 10% fluid loss and other additional costs.

• Reduced energy costs – when fluid is dirty, it has higher viscosities, making the pumps work harder. This leads the filter to load quickly so it can increase the pressure. With clean fluid, it makes everything run smoother and doesn’t make your machine have to work as hard.

Extended fluid life–changing to fluid and having to dispose of it properly is expensive. Making sure that your fluid is clean and implementing higher standards to ensure it’s clean makes it last longer, therefore, saving you quite a bit of money in the long run.

How to Keep Your Hydraulic Fluid Clean

Develop a contamination control strategy – This is a simple process that businesses may consider a waste of money, but instead, it can save you money. To implement a contamination control strategy, there is a three-set process.

• Develop cleanliness targets
• Meet contamination control targets
• Use oil analysis to ensure cleanliness levels are maintained

Check optimum viscosity range

• Collect design limitations and optimum operating information from the manufacturer.
• Check operating temperature conditions. Do this during normal operations because it gives you a point of reference.
• Collect the temperature viscosity characteristics of the lubricant.
• Chart the standard viscosity temperature for liquid petroleum products.
• Keep charts, ensuring that these temperatures stay at optimal levels.

Consolidate hydraulic fluids

• Determine specific requirements for all of your hydraulic equipment.
• Purchase the correct fluid for all of your equipment
• Ensure you use the above strategies
• Make sure to use oil in storage longer before using the newer oil. You do this to ensure the oil doesn’t get too old.

Store your hydraulic fluid properly

• Properly label different types of oil to prevent cross-contamination
• Keep your storage room clean and well organized.
• Store the fluid in a clean, dry room where the temperature does not fluctuate and is kept cool. Excessive hot or cold temperatures can cause contamination in the oil.

Industrial Hydraulic Repair and Maintenance

A proven maintenance system not only extends the life of your hydraulic fluid but ensures that your hydraulic systems run correctly. Fluid contamination doesn’t begin when put into your machine but can occur beforehand. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your fluid is well maintained from the time it enters your shop.

Questions on your hydraulic equipment? Does it need repair? Contact Servo Kinetics in Ann Arbor Michigan. We can help you troubleshoot issues to determine if your hydraulic motor or pump needs repair. As a a full-service hydraulic repair, inspection and rebuild facility for more than 45 years, we deliver the highest quality standards at the lowest possible cost.

Our industrial hydraulic repair services include Vickers classic factory rebuilds, Beach Russ pump repair, reverse engineering services, new pumps and motors and so much more. Call and speak to a Specialist today!