Water in the oil is a serious issue for many hydraulic systems, because it can lead to increased wear and leakage. Adsorber filters which prevent moisture ingress via the tank breather system provide a remedy, according to engineers at HANSA-FLEX, Bremen, Germany. Unfortunately, although these filters can prevent serious damage and high … [Read more...]
Hydraulic plugs provide positive seal to prevent contamination, leakage
Polymer Molding’s new hydraulic plugs are designed to provide a positive seal for SAE straight thread o-ring ports and MIL-MS-33649 bosses. The FFP Series threaded plugs are knurled to protect against contaminants and for easy assembly and removal on fluid power components. An integrated O-ring type bead seals in the bevel of the port to prevent … [Read more...]
Early warning system heads off downtime
Unit Fluid Monitoring (UFM) systems permit in-depth monitoring of hydraulic power packs and lubrication systems, according to officials at Hainzl, a manufacturer of hydraulic, automation and robotic products based in Linz, Austria. The main focus is on analyzing the oil for signs of humidity, aging and degree of contamination, as well as monitoring … [Read more...]
How do you remove water from your hydraulic system?
It’s common knowledge that particulate contamination is unwanted in hydraulic systems. Contamination in hydraulic oil can damage mobile and industrial machinery. Of as much concern should be water in oil, as it too can lead to component failure. Water in hydraulic fluid can be seen as free, dissolved or emulsified and can reduce hydraulic … [Read more...]
Particle monitor for real-time analysis
The redesigned Stauff LPM-II-plus particle monitor is an optical particle counter with high-performance LEDs that automatically detects the degree of contamination of hydraulic fluids and determines particle sizes in compliance with ISO 4406, NAS 1638, AS 4059E and ISO 11218 standards. It is for continuous measurement or analysis in … [Read more...]
How does heat affect a hydraulic system?
Everyone knows that contamination can be catastrophic to a hydraulic system. But heat can also be detrimental to hydraulic fluid and the components within that system. Heat contamination reduces oil viscosity, which in turn reduces the fluid’s ability to lubricate components. This thinning of the oil causes surface-on-surface wear. Without … [Read more...]
Miniature in-line screens and breathers from O’Keefe Controls advance particulate control
O’Keefe Controls Co.'s miniature in-line screens/breathers help engineers protect critical components from damage or reduced performance due to clogging or reduced flow rates. Designed to augment the protection of critical components in fluid control systems, the fine screens are intended to prevent the occasional particles that enter the fluid … [Read more...]
What is the “toast” test?
An important characteristic of many hydraulic fluids is the ability to maintain performance at high temperatures. Higher temperatures can cause oxidation—the reaction of the fluid and its constituents with oxygen. The rate of reaction accelerates as temperature increases, as does the presence of catalyst metals like copper and iron, especially at … [Read more...]
What does hydraulic maintenance mean to you?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor I once had a walk-in customer bring with him an old, rusty spin-on filter, which I believe was originally coloured white below the now orange and brown soup of rust and oil. He needed a replacement filter for his vacuum truck, a machine he said he bought used eight years ago. I grabbed a stock filter head to … [Read more...]
Track contamination, not people
Nobody likes a micromanager. A boss constantly looking over your shoulder is at best annoying and more often counterproductive, demotivating and the root cause of high turnover. Yet in recent head-scratching news, Amazon has patented a tracking wristband that monitors a worker’s every move and vibrates when they do something wrong. Ostensibly, … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next Page »
