Did you know that 85 percent of hydraulic system failures can be traced to contamination?
Consider these tips to maintain clean, pristine machines.
Types of contaminants - It's not just foreign matter that causes damage in the hydraulic system. Air, water and heat can take their toll as well.
Abrasive particles like aluminum and silica cause sticky valves and poor pump performance. Water can be very damaging to hydraulic systems, forming bubbles in hydraulic fluid that pit internal component surfaces. Air trapped in the system causes jerky motion. Heat accelerates component wear by reducing hydraulic fluid's ability to lubricate.
Sources of Contaminants - Worn seals, faulty gaskets, leaky valves or defects in cylinder rods and expose the machine to contaminants. Insufficient lubrication or improper clearances can cause internal wear. New components such as hoses containing dirt can also introduce contaminants, and similarly, fluids can pick up contaminants from a dirty storage container.
Tracking Contaminants. - CAT SOS Fluid Analysis should be performed every 500 hours in most applications. We can help ensure your machines receive fluid analysis regularly, when it's convenient to your work schedule. A key aspect of maintenance, fluid analysis performs several important functions:
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* Defines the health of hydraulic fluid |
| * Determines wear rate of internal components |
| * Enables repair or replacement before failure. |
Controlling contaminants - Several simple tasks can significantly impact the hydraulic system efficiency of your machines.
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* Check each machine for leaks during a daily walk-around inspection. |
| * Use proper filters and change them regularly. |
| * Select the proper hydraulic fluid and filter it when transferring it between storage locations. |
| * Flush dirty hydraulic system s and refill them with clean, new fluid. |
For more information contact your Product Support Sales Representative. 800-494-2963