What not to do with hydraulic equipment: some cardinal sins

Hydraulic systems & components

1st Quarter 2014 Hydraulic systems & components

This is part of a list compiled and edited by Brendan Casey from hundreds of submissions sent to Inside Hydraulics e-zine. Some are directed at operators, some are for designers, but most are for everyone involved in keeping hydraulic equipment running.

1. Adding oil to the hydraulic tank without passing it through a filter first.

2. Starting a piston pump or motor without filling the case with oil.

3. Assuming the filter element is correct – just because it fits.

4. Failing to properly and securely blank-off open connections when components are removed from a system for testing or repair.

5. Using teflon tape to seal taper-thread fittings.

6. Installing components or connections with taper threads – unless there is no other alternative.

7. Being cheap on filtration.

8. Selecting and installing components that are field adjustable when it’s not necessary.

9. Believing it is necessary to pre-fill filter housings – air is the lesser of two evils in this case.

10. Starting a pump without ensuring its intake is full of oil.

11. Not using a desiccant breather – especially in high-humidity or marine environments.

12. Over-tightening hydraulic filters.

About the author: Brendan Casey has more than 20 years experience in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of mobile and industrial hydraulic equipment. For more information on reducing the operating cost and increasing the up-time of your hydraulic equipment, visit his web site: http://www.hydraulicsupermarket.com

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What not to do with hydraulic equipment: some cardinal sins

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