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In part one of our special two-part series, we looked at contaminated hydraulic oil and how it costs you money. In part two, we’ll look at hydraulic oil filtration and why it’s important to keep your fluids free from impurities and contaminants. With the advances in hydraulic technology, machines operate at higher tolerances and pressures than ever before, so keeping your oil clean is essential for safety, reliability and performance.
That’s why efficient and effective hydraulic oil filtration is essential for any operation using hydraulic machinery. If you keep your oil clean, you prevent contaminants from damaging equipment or affecting the performance of the machine.
There are many contaminants that can get into fluids and have a detrimental effect on machinery and systems. Filtration systems target particulates as the most important contaminants to remove.
Given the tolerances and pressures of modern machines, particulates that are too small to see will damage machines and affect performance. Examples include dirt, dust, sand, stone grit, metal filings and byproducts from the work environment. No hydraulic system can prevent these contaminants from getting in at some time or another. That includes through the fluid, from the machinery itself through wear and tear, and from the manufacturing process in new equipment.
It’s better to prevent contaminants from getting into the oil than filtering it out of the oil. Contaminants have a snowball effect and degrade the system. Once they’re in, they often do damage immediately and create more contaminants.
Hydraulic oil filtration strains out the most contaminants, preventing them from getting into the parts of machinery where they can cause the most damage. While you can’t keep them all out, filtration ensures you get the best lifespan from your machines and the best use of your oil before needing to change it.
Many filters strain the fluid while in use, trapping particles until saturated, when you will need to clean or replace them. With the demands of modern machines, this is a critical process for reliable daily operations.
Let’s look at the different types of filtration. You may have any combination of these in your machinery.
Most filter systems won’t clean highly contaminated oil. They will get saturated quickly and give you a new set of problems. Filters preserve clean fluid to ensure you get the best lifespan from both filters and fluid.
As filters get clogged, it affects the flow rate of the fluid. Any change to the flow rate puts pressure on the system, which can lower performance or cause damage. Most modern machines have indicators to give advanced warning the filter needs cleaning or changing. Each machine will also have a recommended period for cleaning and replacing filters, but it pays to make checking the filters a regular task.
Ensuring your filtration system continues to work at peak performance will mitigate many of the problems caused by contaminants getting into the oil. It will save you time and money through extending the lifespan of machinery, reducing the need for maintenance and repairs, and reducing the need to change your oil as often.
