As reported by Construction Equipment in their article “How to Defend Hydraulics from Dangerous Contaminants,” keeping hydraulic systems free from dust, dirt, water, and metal particles is crucial for the longevity and efficiency of heavy equipment. According to Doug Jahnke, product marketing manager at Eaton Hydraulics, even small quantities of these contaminants can cause erratic behavior in components like pumps and valves, leading to reduced equipment life.
There are three primary types of hydraulic failure. Catastrophic failure occurs when a large particle enters a pump or valve, causing a vane to jam. Intermittent failure happens when contaminants temporarily settle on a poppet valve, preventing it from closing properly. Degradation failure results from abrasive wear, corrosion, or surface fatigue on components, which can lead to stress, cracks, and even broken parts.
Contaminants can invade hydraulic systems during manufacturing if the system is improperly flushed, resulting in built-in contamination. Ingression occurs when particles enter the system from the outside, such as through contaminated new oil or dirt and water sneaking through seals. Generated contamination is particularly dangerous, as hard particles strip off internal components and damage surfaces, creating more particles and potentially causing a cascade effect of damage.
“Because the metal is hard, it potentially could cause more abrasion and seriously damage a pump,” says Jahnke. “If the pump is operating at high pressures and high speeds, the metal particles could quickly cause it to go bad.”
Emphasizing the importance of rigorous maintenance practices to prevent and address contamination in hydraulic systems, regular filtering and proper sealing can mitigate the risk of contaminants causing severe damage to hydraulic components.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of constructionequipment.com
