How to take care of your hydraulic system?
Perform regular checks of the oil cooler and outside the reservoir to prevent overheating. Keep the System Clean. Prevent contamination of the system by dirt, water, metal debris from entering the system by keeping the reservoir cover, drain lines, and breather fill openings always clean. Keep the Fluid Clean.
What happens when the temperature of a hydraulic system is too low?
If the system’s temperature is too low, the condensation starts in the reservoir, which can cause pump cavitation. On the contrary, if the temperature is too high, oxidation that causes varnish and sludge deposits occurs. Most hydraulic systems run in the 110-150°F range with mobile hydraulic systems running up to 250°F.
How is predictive maintenance used in hydraulic systems?
Predictive Maintenance or condition-based maintenance uses sensor devices to collect information about the system and components and prompts the personnel to perform maintenance at the exact moment when it’s needed. Due to high costs and technical requirements, it is still new to the market and not used very often.
What causes a hydraulic system to go bad?
The most common problems that cause hydraulic fluid going bad are system overheating, system contamination, and dirty operating environment. Therefore, to take care of the hydraulic fluid, you should take the following actions: Prevent the hydraulic system from overheating.
What to do when your hydraulic system is not working?
Check the tank oil level to be sure it covers the top of the strainer by at least 3˝ at minimum oil level, which is with all cylinders extended. If it does not, there is danger of a vortex forming above the strainer which may allow air to enter the system when the pump is running.
What’s the next step in disconnecting hydraulic hoses?
The next step, which is very important, is to relieve the pressure on your hydraulic cylinders, and this process will vary from one piece of custom equipment to another, so you’ll need to consult your Owner’s Manual for the exact procedure.
When to replace a relief valve in a hydraulic system?
During this test if the gauge pressure does not rise above a low value, say 100 PSI, and if the flow does not substantially decrease as the relief valve setting is increased, the relief valve is at fault and should be cleaned or replaced as instructed in Step 5.
What should I do if my hydraulic pump is leaking?
The first thing you need to do is conduct a visual inspection of your hydraulic pump so that you can identify the type of damage that has occurred, and how severe it is. Inspect the damaged fittings and leaking hoses carefully, then mark the areas which are a problem, before proceeding to the replacement steps.