Hydraulics are increasingly being utilized across a wide range of industries due to their ability to not only transmit, but also generate and control power. The relatively small size and compactness of fluid power cylinders and motors along with their high energy potential and relatively lower cost makes them a good choice for fitting onto a wide range of machinery.
As hydraulic is still a relatively new field, there are bound to be mistakes made. Here are a few common hydraulic system mistakes to look out for:
1. Using the Wrong Oil
Oil is the most important element of any hydraulic system. Not only is hydraulic oil a lubricant, it is also the means by which power is transferred throughout the hydraulic system. Therefore, viscosity is a critical property of hydraulic oil, as it affects the performance and efficiency of complete systems as well as the wear rates of individual components like pumps and valves.
Using the wrong viscosity oil not only causes serious damage to lubrication and premature failure of major components, it also increases power consumption, of either diesel or electric. These two results are undoubtedly costly to your operation.
Following the blanket recommendations of the machine manufacturer won’t necessarily get the correct viscosity. The best way is still consult a technician who are expert in hydraulics.
2. Changing the Oil
Many has a misconception that hydraulic oil needs to be changed on regularly. In fact, hydraulic oil is not the same as engine oil in your automotive.
Under normal conditions, a well-maintained hydraulic system oil can last indefinitely. Watch out for high heat as hydraulic oil also breaks down with heat, excessive water saturation and oxidation. Further, conditions such as high water content and heat also exacerbate the oxidation. High heat also reduces oil viscosity, in which if the viscosity low enough, will allow metal-to-metal contact, generating internal contamination.
However, if oil is clean, cool and free from water, the chemistry to break it down does not exist, and it remains in the same state as it initially was. If anything, additives such as zinc, can deplete over time, so it is still important to conduct oil-analysis program to know when the oil needs to be changed.
3. Too Hot to Operate
Few equipment owners or operators continue to run an engine that is overheating. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said when the hydraulic system gets too hot. Like an engine, the fastest way to destroy hydraulic components, seals, hoses and the oil itself is high-temperature operation.
As mentioned above, as the oil's temperature increases, its viscosity decreases. Therefore, it is a red flag that hydraulic system is operating too hot when it reaches the temperature at which oil viscosity falls below that required for adequate lubrication.
Apart from adequate lubrication issue, the importance of which cannot be overstated, operating temperatures above 82 degree Celsius causes damage to most seal and hose compounds and accelerate degradation of the oil.
4. Incorrect Circuit Design
The majority of hydraulic systems in operation today have leaks that are planned. Internal planned leakage is typically small pathways that allow a fluid from a higher pressurized zone flow into lower pressurized zone to lubricate, clean and cool a specific component or area. These planned leaks do not allow the fluid to exit the hydraulic circuit, so there is no visual indication of its presence.
The presence of excessive internal leakage can result from the inability of a circuit to perform its designed function. System performance, reliability and increased operating temperature are the first visual signs of excessive internal leakage
Last but not least:
5. Poor Understanding of Operating Equipment
If you own, operate, repair or maintain hydraulic equipment, it is extremely important to keep yourself in the loop of the latest hydraulic equipment maintenance practices. SLS and Enerpac often host seminars and workshops to keep our customers updated with the latest products and maintenance practices of various industries. In the past, we have hosted new product introduction and safety workshop and oil and gas seminar together with Enerpac.
Interested to know more about Hydraulics?
At SLS, we partner with the global leader in hydraulics to bring you an integrated system of sustainable and reliable hydraulic tools in Singapore. If you would like to learn more on how hydraulics can help you with your needs, please get in touch with us below: