Hydraulics News

It’s easy to skip critical maintenance tasks, especially when operational budgets are being reduced. Are you prepared for the risks to vital equipment? Right now, taking steps to assess and prep your equipment so you reduce downtime later can help pay dividends when offshore activity ramps up. It’s also far less costly than equipment replacement.Click Here to Join!In the world of industrial hydraulics, this process should start with your hydraulic fluid — a topic that, unfortunately, is easy to overlook as it relates to maintenance.

Tip #4: Oil Temperature - Assume that "running hot" is normalDuring warm summer months, with reasonable certainty, high machine temperatures will follow. This is especially true if using air oil heat exchangers. Dismissing this expectation may allow operators to prevent down time, as heat generation is a leading indicator of a failing part. Knowing how to recognize the difference can be the difference between reactive and preventative maintenance.Learn more about the importance…

Tip #3: Oil Cleanliness - Don't add regular filter changes to your maintenance scheduleMost filters have switches indicating when the element is full, and sometimes waiting for that may be too late. Changing filters on a regular service interval is a simple way to check the contamination level of a hydraulic system.The human body's organs and blood could be compared to individual components and the fluid within hydraulic/lubrication system. If the blood is dirty, organs will start shutting down and we will physically show that we are sick.

Tip #2: Fluid Selection - Using the wrong fluid at the right timeFluid selection plays a critical role in machine life, and it is easy to take the convenient path, which is use what is already available from other equipment. When matched with the right component, the right fluid will promote uptime, or induce failures and unplanned outages. Understanding the type of hydraulic technology, in conjunction with the proper fluid, will extend life and ensure full efficiency is achieved.Learn…

Tip #1: Tribology - Assume All Hydraulic Components are Designed EquallyBelieve it or not, maintenance begins during the design phase. Moving parts create friction, and friction can lead to wear, ending in premature failure, especially when tribology is ignored. In order to have a long-lasting hydraulic system, it is critical to specify operating conditions and environment during the project start. When all conditions are considered, it is possible to select the right component…