The Relevance Of Hydraulic Filters In The Functionality Of Hydraulic Systems
March 24, 2022
If you own any manufacturing facility, plant, or factory, you probably felt incredibly proud as you have watched the colossal machinery and equipment unwavering carry out their cumbersome duties with utmost devotion and unrivalled energy. However, things often turn bitter when your loyal machinery begins to twitch or tremble slightly. The latter is obviously not a good sign for any industrialists. It signifies the upcoming losses in the form of machinery downtime and the resulting losses. We will read about the relevancy of hydraulic filters.
Wise men are often heard saying that instead of curing an illness from the surface, delve deeper into its core and uproot the problem to eradicate it permanently. Hence, when your machinery gives up and production halts, instead of simply fixing the issue at hand, find out exactly what led to the problem.
As top-rated suppliers of premium quality oil filtration systems and hydraulic filter carts, we believe the problem most likely lies in your machine’s hydraulic system. Most of the time, a malfunctioning hydraulic system is the main culprit behind the profits you forego as a result of a machine’s downtime. Hence, the first step is to understand why a hydraulic system stops working.
Although the subject may sound a bit technical, we shall use this blog to systematically explain a hydraulic system and the relevance of hydraulic filters in their proper functioning straightforwardly.
Also Read: Different Types Of Oil Filters And Their Function
What Is A Hydraulic System?
In simple terms, a hydraulic system is a complex integration of various components such as hoses, pipes, valves, etc., to pressurize non-compressible fuel to generate energy. We wouldn’t be wrong to say that it drives fuel-powered machinery (also known as hydraulic machinery) to perform the required task repetitively. In physics and other disciplines, you may hear that hydraulic systems work as per Pascal’s Law. These machines are used in all industries that demand high power density due to their relatively low costs and longer lifespan. Hence, hydraulic systems are primarily found in heavy equipment used in various heavy industries like construction, manufacturing, etc. From digging to drilling, lifting heavy loads, and even turning a shaft, hydraulic machinery performs a vast range of functions. Through proper care and maintenance, you can even increase the lifespan of the said machinery. Evidently, such colossal machinery and equipment may look unshakably and hard to stop. However, a few particles of sediments or even water droplets may halt them. Research has revealed that fuel contamination accounts for up to 75% of hydraulic system failure. To this end, many people believe that selecting the most expensive fuel is sufficient to overcome this issue. However, it is wrong to simply assume that expensive or the right type of fuel lacks contamination.How Contaminants Enter The Hydraulic System
Contamination in any form is a hydraulic system’s biggest enemy. It can enter the system in numerous ways, including: Contaminants That Come With New Machinery These are contaminants that are unintentionally left in the hydraulic system during the manufacturing and assembling process. They could be anything from dust to metallic particles. Impure Fluids The oil that finds its way into the system may also contain dust, debris or even water droplets. These seemingly harmless elements are actually the major reason behind many machine breakdowns. Although the oil may be clean after it is manufactured, it may become contaminated during transportation, storage, or usage stages. Repair And Maintenance Regular machine inspection, repair, and maintenance processes may also introduce external contaminants into the system. Contamination Resulting Internally Like any other mechanical device, a hydraulic system is also susceptible to wear and tear. Hence, the internal deterioration of the components may cause small particles of the metal to enter the system and disrupt its functionality.How To Keep The Hydraulic System Contamination-Free
- Use only the best quality of oil and ensure it is as least decontaminated as possible.
- Abide by the exact specifications when adding fluid/oil into the system.
- Regularly perform fluid contamination tests to ensure that it is clean.
- Make use of a suitable hydraulic filter cart to filter the oil regularly.
- While fixing the system, make sure the hydraulic hoses are correctly connected.
- Always try to fix leaks as soon as feasible.
- Ensure that your team uses standard Beta 1000 elements in all filter enclosures and replace them as needed.
- Attach a premium quality breather to the reservoir.
- The area surrounding the reservoir must be kept tidy.