Quand faut-il remplacer l'huile hydraulique ?

Is your hydraulic cylinder inefficient and producing noise? Whether performance is reduced or noise is high, it can be due to malfunctioning oil systems or internal components wearing out.

One of the best options is to inspect the cause and repair it immediately. Sometimes, low performance is due to issues with the hydraulic oil. Proper replacement on time can save you from extra hassles.

Today, we will evaluate various factors and causes related to hydraulic oil and help change hydraulic fluid on time. Let’s dive into this topic!

Before you even change the hydraulic fluid, the first question is why!!

The answer is straightforward. There are various performance issues and benefits of replacement.

Hydraulic pump oil transfers the power to the actuator. The movement of hydraulic fluid through the cylinder helps generate a linear force. If the oil is of low quality or worn out, it may not transmit the required power. Efficiency drops leading to more expenses and decreased results.

Hydraulic fluid is an excellent lubricant between the various components of hydraulic cylinders. It reduces the friction and streamlines all the movements efficiently.

Dirt entrapment is common, but hydraulic fluid prevents it. It does this by moving the dirt and dust to the filter and removing them efficiently.

One of the key roles of the hydraulic fluid is to avoid corrosion. Since corrosion occurs due to moisture and water contact, fluids prevent this by forming an external layer on metallic components. There is almost no chance of corrosion.

Hydraulic pump fluid replacement is ideal when it fails to meet standards. There are a few signs to notice before replacement. These include:

The very first sign to look for during a hydraulic fluid change is the color of the hydraulic oil. Normally, it is clear or slightly amber. When the fluid becomes oxidized or contaminated, it changes.

For example, you should notice the following colors.

• Dark brown or black. This color is most common and indicates oxidation or thermal degradation due to temperature issues.
• A milky appearance often indicates water contamination.
• Cloudy oil can appear after some time. It often symbolizes the presence of air or moisture in hydraulic fluid systems.

Contamination is a major concern because it can cause premature component wear. There are different types of contaminants.

• Dirt and dust are the most common factors due to external exposure.
• Metal particles from component wear
• Water causes oxidation and slowly degrades the internal components.
• Air bubbles out pressure on the components and degrades them early.
• Chemical contaminants can cause erosion, loss of original color, or fading.

You should look for contaminants and consider replacing them. Bring new, high-quality fluid that offers durability and high performance.

If your oil is new or original, the hydraulic pump generates a very high performance. As time passes, fluid changes its colors and starts losing its original efficiency. As a result, you might notice the reduced performance.

Here are a few indicators of reduced performance.

• Slower actuator movement compared to the standard movement.
• Reduced pressure causes reduced power generation and transmission.
• Inconsistent operations degrade the system’s overall performance and efficiency.
• Increased energy consumption due to low-efficiency components.

Whenever the system’s performance is reduced, it is the right time to check and replace the hydraulic pump oil.

Hydraulic systems produce noise, but it is very minimal. It is because of the hydraulic fluid, which lubricates the metallic components and reduces frictional noise.

Whenever there’s high noise, understand it’s an issue with the hydraulic fluid. Common noises include:

• Pump whining or grinding sounds increase the high friction.
• Cavitation occurs due to hydraulic pump oil issues
• Vibrations in the system are louder in various cases.

Excessive noise is a sign. You should replace the hydraulic oil. Get a compatible solution for your oil system.

Hydraulic oil handles heat transfer. Therefore, you can experience less heat in normal cases. Overheating occurs when your hydraulic pump oil fails.

There are a few signs of overheating.

• High operating temperatures. When the temperature is higher than required.
• Frequent system shutdowns. Overheating causes the system to shut down abruptly.
• The burnt oil smell is due to overheating.

What should you do in that case? The solution is straightforward— replace oil. Get a compatible oil solution and enjoy a seamless performance.

Timely replacement of hydraulic oil is necessary; otherwise, you may face consequences. We have added a list of consequences.

Oil is the primary factor in the streamlined operation of hydraulic components. Without it, aggressive component friction causes scratches and premature wear. You have to spend extra money on buying new components.

Hydraulic oil maintains the flow of dust and debris. When oil fails to carry dust out of the system, it accumulates. Imminent blockage of ducts is possible. The ultimate result is failure.

The pump depends largely on the fluid quality and premium grade. If your oil is not new or below standard, it causes pump failure. You can experience failure of required force generation.

With oil issues, the pump has to exert more energy to generate the required power. It causes an instant drop in efficiency and reduced performance. The system can experience sudden downtime due to an unexpected failure. Therefore, oil replacement is necessary.

Replacing hydraulic oil is an essential, and even crucial, job for the hydraulic system. It is directly linked to the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the hydraulic cylinders. However, you should see signs of degradation when replacing the oil.

Buying high-quality hydraulic cylinders and maintaining them can delay the oil replacement. Do you want high-quality hydraulic tools? Look at Ekxia hydraulic cylinders. They have 15+ years of experience and produce high-end, reliable hydraulic solutions. Contact them right away!