Logging-on brings the second part of the advice from Case regarding best management practices for hydraulic system maintenance.
In the first article (November 2 issue of Logging-on), we examined manufacturer recommendations, additives and storage and handling. In this issue we cover filtration, leaks and fuel sampling and analysis.
- Filtration. One of the biggest mistakes in the field is neglect of the hydraulic oil filter. It can be complicated to get to the filter, since it is usually incorporated into the tank. A worn out filter is not going to perform as well as a new one, so it is important to follow the manufacturer-recommended intervals for filter replacement. When replacing the filter, it is also important to use the filter recommended by the manufacturer. Again, this component was chosen by the engineers and development team behind the machine to ensure that it is providing optimal performance, so any other filter, regardless of how similar it may look, isn’t going to perform as well, and will allow contaminates into the system that will wear away at seals, spools and valves. All it takes is a small valve failure in a sophisticated hydraulic system to bring a million-dollar piece of equipment to its knees. Regardless of what type of machine you’re using, no amount of quality and integrity can overcome poor maintenance.
- Leaks. A single weeping cylinder isn’t enough to justify pulling a machine off of a job site. Every time you have a small leak, not only are you losing small amounts of oil from the system, you’re also allowing moisture and dirt in. These machines are operated in dusty conditions, and if there is a point where the system is compromised, that contaminate will inevitably find its way in. A leaking system operating with low oil and added contaminates not only causes more unnecessary wear on your filters and other components, it also causes the machine to work harder, affecting operating temperatures and the overall performance of the machine.
- Fluid sampling and analysis. Some machine owners will only take a fluid sample at the time of failure, but that provides limited information. In order for fluid sampling to provide value, you have to do it consistently. If done on a regular basis, over time, your samples can give you an indication of problems that may be occurring and how they will affect you down the road, so you can handle things pre-emptively before a failure occurs. That’s why it’s important to check the operator’s manual and follow the recommended fluid sampling intervals. The biggest perceived drawback of this is the cost. An equipment owner may not want to spend the extra money on regular fluid analysis, but if it can help diagnose an issue so you can get it fixed before it gets worse, you’re talking about significant savings compared to the downtime caused by an on-site equipment failure.
Source: http://casece.com/en_us/News/Pages/A-Primer-in-Hydraulic-Systems-Maintenance.aspx