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Clean, cool oil and properly maintained filters help equipment live longer.
Up to 90% of all hydraulic system failures can be attributed to contamihated oil, says hydraulic component maker Muncie Power Products, Muncie, Ind. And a recent Canadian study found particle-- contaminated hydraulic oil accounts for 82% of all wear. Filtration systems help avert the problem, but knowing what gets into hydraulic oil and why is key to selecting the correct one.
What gets into oil
Water is probably the most common chemical contaminant in hydraulic systems and condensation the most likely source. A system run in hot, humid environments in ests air containing water vapor, which then condenses upon cooling. Leaky reservoirs and seals, careless use of steam cleaners or high-pressure washers, can also introduce water. Demulsifiers in most oils help separate the heavier water portion for draining. Special coalescent materials, desiccants, centrifuges, and vacuum hydration are other ways to eliminate it.
These measures are important because water breaks down oil-additive packages, forms acids that corrode metal surfaces and, in mineral-based oils, supports oxidation. SKF, the Swedish bearing manufacturer, says hydraulic oil containing just 0.1% water by volume cuts bearing life in half, while 1% reduces projections to one-fourth of B-10 life. Further, most hydraulic...