Three points of hydraulic oil contamination

A case could be made that the most important component of every hydraulic system is the oil. Therefore, it is vital that the oil be properly cared for.

One way to do this is to control contamination. Studies have shown that it costs 10 times more to extract contaminants from hydraulic fluid than it does to exclude them in the first place.

Three common points of contaminant ingression are:

1. Reservoir breather

Standard filler-cap breathers fitted to the majority of hydraulic reservoirs are not effective in preventing ingression of airborne contaminants. All air entering the reservoir should be adequately filtered.

2. Cylinders

Worn or damaged rod-wiper seals and pitted or gouged cylinder rods give dust and other contaminants an easy path into the system.  

3. Plumbing

Where fluid leaks out, contamination can get in. The immediate rectification of hydraulic system leaks not only minimizes the cost of clean-up, disposal and replacement fluid, it also saves the hidden cost of removing ingested contaminants.