If you are a user of hydraulic equipment, you may wish to read on, because what follows are some of the most common mistakes made by users of hydraulic equipment. Once you know about them, you can avoid them, which will make you a much better equipment operator.
Running an Overheating System
Too many operators choose to continue operating a hydraulic system after it’s become overheated. What’s ironic about this is that when the overheating item is an engine, most operators and owners would stop running it.
Components and Viscosity
The level at which a hydraulic system will overheat depends largely on the kinds of hydraulic components used by the system, as well as the viscosity index and viscosity of the oil being used in that system. When the temperature of a hydraulic system reaches the point where the oil’s viscosity falls below the point of adequate lubrication, it is overheating.
The viscosity requirements of particular components will also contribute to overheating. For example, a piston pump will require a lower minimum thickness than a vane pump.
Compounds Damage
Aside from lubrication, it is important to consider the temperature at which certain compounds, such as those used in hydraulic seals will become damaged. Typically, damage can occur at temperatures above 82 degrees Celsius.
Changing the Oil and Filters
Unless the degradation of base oil or the depletion of the additive package has occurred, there is no need to change the oil of a hydraulic system. Again, too many operators will change the oil based on the number of hours it’s been used. However, in reality, there are numerous variables that determine how fast additives are used and oil degrades.
In order to avoid throwing out usable oil or operating equipment with depleted additives and degraded base oil, the best solution is to analyse the oil on a regular basis, as this is the only way to really know whether or not it’s time to change it.
Hydraulic filters require the same consideration. Changing them based on the number of hours they’ve been used will result in too early or too late of a change, each with its perils. An early change will waste money, whilst a late change will slowly but inevitably reduce the service life of every system component, which can end up costing thousands.
In order to ensure that filters are changed right on time, it is necessary to install some kind of mechanism to monitor pressure drop across the filter element. Better is still is constant and continuous monitoring of a drop in pressure across the filter.
Putting Filters in the Wrong Places
Although it may seem that every filter is beneficial, there are locations where installing one could do far more damage than good. The pump inlet and the drain lines from motor and piston pump housings are the areas where filters should not be installed.
The pump inlet does not require a strainer, because it draws the oil it needs from a reservoir that’s free of debris. Doing so will reduce the service life of the system and cause costly failure. The same is true when filters are installed unnecessarily on drain lines.
Likely the best advice to avoid all of the common mistakes above is to ensure that you have an education in hydraulics before operating any hydraulic system. There is simply no substitute for the intimate knowledge of hydraulic systems that an education will provide you. Doing so will not only help you to save money, but it can also make you a more highly skilled operator.
http://www.birminghamseals.co.uk/
Running an Overheating System
Too many operators choose to continue operating a hydraulic system after it’s become overheated. What’s ironic about this is that when the overheating item is an engine, most operators and owners would stop running it.
Components and Viscosity
The level at which a hydraulic system will overheat depends largely on the kinds of hydraulic components used by the system, as well as the viscosity index and viscosity of the oil being used in that system. When the temperature of a hydraulic system reaches the point where the oil’s viscosity falls below the point of adequate lubrication, it is overheating.
The viscosity requirements of particular components will also contribute to overheating. For example, a piston pump will require a lower minimum thickness than a vane pump.
Compounds Damage
Aside from lubrication, it is important to consider the temperature at which certain compounds, such as those used in hydraulic seals will become damaged. Typically, damage can occur at temperatures above 82 degrees Celsius.
Changing the Oil and Filters
Unless the degradation of base oil or the depletion of the additive package has occurred, there is no need to change the oil of a hydraulic system. Again, too many operators will change the oil based on the number of hours it’s been used. However, in reality, there are numerous variables that determine how fast additives are used and oil degrades.
In order to avoid throwing out usable oil or operating equipment with depleted additives and degraded base oil, the best solution is to analyse the oil on a regular basis, as this is the only way to really know whether or not it’s time to change it.
Hydraulic filters require the same consideration. Changing them based on the number of hours they’ve been used will result in too early or too late of a change, each with its perils. An early change will waste money, whilst a late change will slowly but inevitably reduce the service life of every system component, which can end up costing thousands.
In order to ensure that filters are changed right on time, it is necessary to install some kind of mechanism to monitor pressure drop across the filter element. Better is still is constant and continuous monitoring of a drop in pressure across the filter.
Putting Filters in the Wrong Places
Although it may seem that every filter is beneficial, there are locations where installing one could do far more damage than good. The pump inlet and the drain lines from motor and piston pump housings are the areas where filters should not be installed.
The pump inlet does not require a strainer, because it draws the oil it needs from a reservoir that’s free of debris. Doing so will reduce the service life of the system and cause costly failure. The same is true when filters are installed unnecessarily on drain lines.
Likely the best advice to avoid all of the common mistakes above is to ensure that you have an education in hydraulics before operating any hydraulic system. There is simply no substitute for the intimate knowledge of hydraulic systems that an education will provide you. Doing so will not only help you to save money, but it can also make you a more highly skilled operator.
http://www.birminghamseals.co.uk/