3 Mistakes That Increase Hydraulic System Failure Rates
The high cost of frequent hydraulic equipment repairs can be reduced by detecting and fixing the common errors that cause such issues. Below are several mistakes that cause your hydraulic equipment to develop defects prematurely.
Not replacing OEM breathers
Most hydraulic equipment comes fitted with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) caps and breathers. Such caps and breathers are usually designed to keep only the larger particles out of the hydraulic system. The finer particles that get through can damage the internal components of your equipment, which causes regular failure.
Additionally, the stock breathers and dust caps may be unable to keep moisture out of the equipment. It is, therefore, easier for the hydraulic fluid in your equipment to absorb moisture whenever humidity levels rise. Such absorbed moisture affects the performance of the hydraulic fluid because it alters the fluid's chemical composition.
To reduce repair costs, you should replace all the OEM breathers or dust caps with aftermarket versions that have a reputation for keeping contaminants out of hydraulic equipment.
Not having a labelling system
Another common mistake that can contribute to frequent hydraulic system failures is the absence of an effective labelling system. All equipment and tools, such as fluid containers, should be labelled so that only the designated fluid is carried in that container.
This will prevent the contamination that results when different materials, such as grease and hydraulic fluid, are transported or stored in the same container at different times. Contaminated fluids accelerate wear within the hydraulic equipment because they alter the operating parameters of the system. For instance, a thicker fluid can alter the desired viscosity of the hydraulic fluid to the extent that a hose may burst under pressure.
Improper sampling
Taking hydraulic fluid samples for analysis can help you to detect problems long before they reach the extent of causing a system failure. However, how and where samples are taken from can affect the results. For example, taking a sample after the equipment has cooled can allow the settlement of the contaminants at the bottom. Any samples that are taken at such a time will not reveal the true extent of contamination.
Consequently, the chance to take preventive action will be missed until a failure occurs. It is advisable to modify the hydraulic equipment so that sampling ports can be created to allow samples to be taken when the fluid is moving, while the equipment is in operation. Defects can then be detected and corrected in time.