Boost Hydraulic System Reliability: Proven Maintenance Strategies

Hydraulic systems serve core functions in manufacturing processes. The steady output of these machines keeps production on schedule and quality top notch. But when breakdowns occur, manufacturers find themselves in a bind.

Most hydraulic system failures can be prevented through routine maintenance.

As with vehicles, hydraulic systems work optimally when they are well taken care of. To keep your hydraulic system up and running, it is important to understand how they operate and the maintenance they require.

How Hydraulic Systems Operate

Hydraulic systems use incompressible fluid to transfer energy from an electric motor to an actuator. An actuator is an industrial part that contributes to the physical movement of a machine. It does this by converting energy—usually electrical, air, or hydraulic—into mechanical force. In other words, it is the component of the machine that enables movement.

Hydraulic systems are optimized through their ability to generate hefty power density. In addition, they detect and react to near instant changes in load requirements. These capabilities are essential for hydraulic- lifts, brakes, steering, and any other heavy equipment movement that requires the precise functions of a hydraulic system.

The Importance of Routine Maintenance

Like all effective and precise machinery, hydraulic systems experience temperamental issues and require maintenance. Regular upkeep is key because, as with a vehicle, small difficulties tend to snowball. When problems continue undetected, they cause what often seems like sudden shutdowns. However, most shutdowns occur because of a gradual decline in machine fitness due to neglected maintenance.

To minimize downtime, perform preventative maintenance religiously.

By practicing the following habits, you can keep your hydraulic system running like a champion:

Filter the Hydraulic Fluid

Contaminated hydraulic fluid ranks as the #1 villain when it comes to hydraulic system failures. Neglecting to filter hydraulic fluid is like forgetting to change the oil in a car. Over time, trouble becomes inevitable.

When the fluid remains unfiltered, small particles enter the hydraulic fluid stream. This contamination quickly results in performance problems for both the system and its accompanying equipment or devices.

Eliminate Moisture

You may have noticed that your hydraulic system’s performance declines during the hot, humid summers. This decline occurs because hydraulic systems accumulate moisture on their components. When moisture enters a hydraulic system, the components oxidize and corrode, resulting in the damage and destruction of vital parts.

To eliminate moisture, use desiccant breathers. They remove moisture and prevent it from seeping into the hydraulic system’s parts.

Keep the System Cool

Heat has a direct negative impact on hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid loses its ability to properly lubricate machine parts once its temperature rises above 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit). Though that sounds like a high temperature, in a working hydraulic system, the activity and friction can easily heat the fluid to this level unless precautions are taken. This is especially true during the hot times of year.

The overheating of hydraulic fluid is comparable to a car overheating because it is leaking coolant. With a vehicle, the engine gradually grows hotter and eventually reaches a critical temperature and breaks down. In a hydraulic system, the fluid temperature increases bit by bit until it goes beyond 60 degrees Celsius, at which point a breakdown becomes inevitable.

Always monitor fluid temperature to ensure it never heats beyond 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit).

Perform Regular Maintenance

To reduce downtime and increase reliability, hydraulic systems need regular maintenance. Preventative maintenance fixes potential problems that lead to breakdowns. Important components requiring regular maintenance include the following:

• Reservoirs
• Breathing caps
• Oil level switches
• Heat exchangers

Important Maintenance tips include the following:

• Hydraulic fluid must be filtered thoroughly before entering the reservoirs
• Breather caps must have a 10-micron rating and be changed twice a year
• If a hose ruptures, go straight to shutdown to reduce hydraulic fluid loss
• Remove sludge and soft deposits on the heat exchanger to maintain a healthy fluid temperature

Servo Kinetics Hydraulic System Repair

When it comes to hydraulic systems, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By performing regular maintenance, you can insure against costly breakdowns. Despite appropriate upkeep measures, industrial hydraulic systems will suffer from damaged or broken parts and occasional shutdowns. Servo Kinetics is the hydraulic system repair specialist that gets your essential machinery running again in no time.