What to Do About Too Many Hydraulic Oils

hydraulic oil drumHow many different types of hydraulic oil are taking up space in your oil store? If there’s more than one you’re not alone. I often get questions from members who’d like to consolidate their hydraulic oil inventory but aren’t sure how to go about it. This one is typical:

“We have a number of pieces of hydraulic equipment e.g., bucket Read more

How to Assess Case Drain Flow From a Hydrostatic Transmission – Part 2

webster instrumentsIn this previous post on hydrostatic transmissions, I outlined the theory and technique for using case drain flow to determine the condition of a hydrostatic transmission pump and motor.

In response to this post, some readers thought that the function of the flushing valve warranted discussion, while others were still confused about the influence of the charge pump when … Read more

How Clean is New Hydraulic Oil?

Contaminated Hydraulic OilHydraulic fluid straight from the drum, has a typical cleanliness level of ISO 4406 23/21/18.

A 25 GPM pump operating continuously in hydraulic oil at this cleanliness level will circulate 3,500 pounds of dirt, on an accumulative basis, to the hydraulic system’s components each year!

So to add hydraulic oil, and not the dirt, always filter new oil prior to … Read more