One Day In the Life of a Hydraulics Go-To-Guy

The hydraulics Go-To GuyBack in 1991, the hydraulics company I was working for had supplied conversion kits to change the hydraulic piston pump on an ROV (remotely operated [submersible] vehicle) from an obsolete brand to Linde.

The kits had been supplied as an in-field replacement, so that the changeover could be done when necessary. In other words, when the existing hydraulic pump failed. … Read more

The Correct Way to Take a Hydraulic Oil Sample

hydraulic oil drumFrom a predictive maintenance perspective, there is little real benefit from taking an oil sample directly from the hydraulic tank. Sure, an oil sample taken from the tank can be used to establish the cleanliness of the hydraulic fluid, and the condition of its base oil and additives.

But these days, most hydraulic systems feature a return filter, and so … Read more

How Much Oil Should the Hydraulic Tank Contain?

how to heat hydraulic oil safelyWhen it comes to sizing a hydraulic reservoir, my motto and advice is the bigger the better. Because the greater the tank volume the longer the dwell time the oil has to give up contaminants – particles, water and perhaps most importantly, air. Size DOES matter.

The rules of thumb for reservoir size – and that’s all they are – … Read more