Hydraulic oil is the lifeblood of a hydraulic system, so it is important to keep oil clean and free of particulates. According to industry experts, 70-80% of hydraulic component failure is caused by dirty oil, resulting in downtime and loss of profits for you and your business.

Dirty oil can contain a variety of contaminants, including solid particles, water, and air. The specific symptoms of hydraulic component failure caused by dirty oil will vary depending on the type of component that has failed, though it is typically a result of one or more of the following:

Increased Wear and Tear: Solid particles in the oil such as dirt, metal chips, and fibers can cause wear and tear on hydraulic components. This can lead to reduced performance and premature failure.

Reduced System Efficiency: Contaminants in the oil may change the oil’s viscosity, reducing the efficiency of your hydraulic system and resulting in increased power consumption and reduced performance.

Overheating: Contaminants may create friction that can cause a system to overheat. This can damage hydraulic components and reduce their overall service life.

Corrosion: Water in the oil can cause corrosion of hydraulic components, leading to leaks and other problems.

Cavitation: Air in the oil can cause cavitation, which is a phenomenon that occurs when air bubbles form and then collapse. Cavitation can damage hydraulic components and reduce their performance.

Sticking Valves: Contaminants in the oil can cause valves to get stuck, reducing performance and leading to eventual system failure.

Blockages: Contaminants in the oil can block passages and restrict the flow of oil, leading to reduced performance and system failure.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your hydraulic system, it is important to have the system inspected by a qualified technician. Dirty oil can cause serious damage to hydraulic components, so it is essential that you identify and address contamination problems early on. There are also several ways to proactively prevent component failure due to dirty oil, including:

Choosing High-Quality Oil: Using high-quality hydraulic oil, like Lucas Oil AW-32 or AW-46 from your nearest Triad ParkerStore, helps to ensure smooth machine operation, reduces friction, and helps to extend the overall lifespan of your components. Storing extra oil in clean, firmly sealed containers will avoid contamination while in storage and provide a clean supply for regular oil replacement.

Change Oil Regularly: Most manufacturer make recommendations on how long oil should be in-use before replacement.

Regularly System and Oil Analysis: Monitoring the system for leaks and other signs of minor contamination can help you catch problems early, before they result in catastrophic damage. Regular oil analysis can also help to identify problems before resulting in damaged parts or equipment failure.

Use Filters: Hydraulic oil filters trap contaminants such as soil, water, and air as oil passes through the filter element, keeping the system clean and protecting it from damage. Hydraulic filters can be in several places throughout your hydraulic system. Suction line filters are located between the reservoir and the pump to protect the pump. Return line filters are located after the pump to remove contaminants from the oil before returning it to the reservoir. Some hydraulic systems even have inline filters, which are located throughout the system to protect specific components, such as valves and actuators.

Triad Technologies offers a wide selection of hydraulic solutions to prevent system failure and keep your business moving. Our ParkerStores carry two types of Lucas hydraulic oil, as well as fluid analysis kits, and our experts can help make suggestions for a regular oil change schedule based on your needs. We also carry a wide variety of premier hydraulic oil filters from Parker Hannifin. Visit our Hydraulic Filters page to shop online for filters to suit a variety of applications, including mobile hydraulics, industrial hydraulics, and power generation.

Our knowledgeable sales team will work with you directly to significantly reduce your downtime due to hydraulic component failure, and to improve the overall reliability of your hydraulic system. You can also contact us or request a quote to discuss your application with a Triad Technologies expert.