Renewable Lubricants’ Bio-Ultimax 1200LT hydraulic fluids are environmentally friendly, biosynthetic formulas that provide outstanding reliability in low-temperature conditions. These ultimately biodegradable fluids help users avoid the nagging problems of winter, including slow startup, sluggish performance, seal leaks and moisture contamination. … [Read more...] about Bio-Ultimax 1200LT hydraulic fluids conquer cold weather challenges
Fluids
How do you prevent microbes in hydraulic oil?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Microbes aren’t the most common contaminant in hydraulic oil, but they do become a problem when conditions are ripe for their proliferation. Anaerobic bacteria of various forms are the most common to be found within hydraulic fluid, although it’s not unheard of to see fungi (molds and yeasts) in very … [Read more...] about How do you prevent microbes in hydraulic oil?
Hydraulic oil analysis part 8: a round-up of all oil analysis tests
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor As the last article in the series on laboratory-based hydraulic oil analyses, we thought we’d provide a single article to recap the tests in one convenient location. For the past six months we’ve discussed just as many topics important to your predictive maintenance program. Each one of these parameters is … [Read more...] about Hydraulic oil analysis part 8: a round-up of all oil analysis tests
Hydraulic oil analysis part 7 – additives keep fluids performing optimally
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Although a hydraulic machine could run off highly crude forms of hydrocarbons, without a complement of additives, the performance and longevity of your hydraulic machine would suffer. Welcome to Part Seven of the Hydraulic Oil Analysis series, where we dig deep into the various additives that are always or … [Read more...] about Hydraulic oil analysis part 7 – additives keep fluids performing optimally
New biodegradable fluid meets environmental and performance standards
A closer look at Chevron's Bio EliteSyn AW biodegradable hydraulic fluid. Concern continues rising over stern tube leakages and operational discharges that were once considered part of normal operation in marine vessels. A popular 2010 study estimated that marine shipping vessels leak 4.6 to 28.6 million liters of lubricating oil from stern … [Read more...] about New biodegradable fluid meets environmental and performance standards
Hydraulic oil analysis part 6 — what is spectrometry?
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor This is part 6 in this series on hydraulic oil analysis, and if you've missed any of the previous issues, you can find them here — part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5. I've covered everything from viscosity to water saturation already, and we're not done with the qualities that an oil analysis lab can … [Read more...] about Hydraulic oil analysis part 6 — what is spectrometry?
Chevron introduces Clarity Bio EliteSyn AW sustainable hydraulic fluids
Chevron has introduced its Clarity Bio EliteSyn AW, a hydraulic fluid designed to meet the evolving needs of the marine and construction industries while championing environmental stewardship. As governments worldwide tighten regulations to protect our planet, Chevron remains at the forefront of introducing new options to support those initiatives, … [Read more...] about Chevron introduces Clarity Bio EliteSyn AW sustainable hydraulic fluids
Hydraulic oil analysis part 5 — acidity and its impacts
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In part 5 of this series covering hydraulic oil analysis, we move on to discuss acidity. As it pertains to hydraulic oil, we need to know the total amount of acidic substances found within the sample. Most commonly referred to as the Total Acid Number, or TAN for short, the lab will test the oil to tell you … [Read more...] about Hydraulic oil analysis part 5 — acidity and its impacts
Hydraulic oil analysis part 4 — water’s impact
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In Part 4 of the hydraulic oil analysis series, we will tackle one of the most essential qualities of hydraulic oil you must test and understand. Particle contamination, for example, may take months or years to erode critical components to the point of failure, but water infiltrating your pumps, valves, and … [Read more...] about Hydraulic oil analysis part 4 — water’s impact
Hydraulic oil analysis part 3 — measuring and controlling particle contamination
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Particle contamination is the proverbial lord of the contamination cartel. Particles get all the attention in this world, and rightfully so. Particle contamination-related failures likely outpace water, varnish and heat combined (yes, heat is a form of contamination). It would come as no surprise, then, that … [Read more...] about Hydraulic oil analysis part 3 — measuring and controlling particle contamination
