Make Sure Your Hydraulic System Fix Isn’t Worse Than the Issue
Providing all the necessary diagnostic tools to a hydraulic system technician almost guarantees that the source of an issue will be discovered and remedied rapidly. However, as with any ill, prevention is better than cure. Using the diagnostic tools on a regular basis can identify any trends that could result in the failure of a component.
Hydraulic system fluid contains many answers
Quite often, it’s the hydraulic fluid that reveals the answers as to where potential problems will arise. For example, taking a fluid sample can provide a multitude of measurements including how much of the following are in the fluid in addition to any signs of oxidation which is typical of being subjected to too much heat:
- Dirt
- Water
- Particles
- Contaminants
Opportunities for ingression
There are some tools which can make taking samples easier such as a ply and sampling valve. It also means that you won’t further contaminate your machine by adding more contaminants to it.
The value of sampling fluid regularly twinned with the fact that hydraulic equipment is usually caked in some form of dirt or dust, does not make an easy marriage. It’s essential to keep that dirt out of your system and your sample. Engineers know that sampling from hydraulic systems is a risk that engineers have to take. It’s a risk to take the sample as there is a good chance that something from the surrounding environment could enter either the system or the sample. Nobody wants dirt, particles or even water in their hydraulic system.
The risk increases when it’s necessary to draw the fluid from the hydraulic motor. Unfortunately a tube must be inserted through an open port that is accessible once an access plug has been removed. This makes it possible for contaminants to enter the system or even to stick to the tube and then be inserted directly into the fluid.
Of course, being careful will prevent contaminants from entering the hydraulic system, but it’s very important to be very careful, otherwise the fluid could be compromised.
Quick, easy, and clean
If the environment that you keep your hydraulic system in is far from clean and dry, then you may prefer to use a sampling kit. It cuts down on the potential for contaminating the hydraulic fluid. It is not funny when you go out of your way to ensure that everything will be ok, but then realise that something must have gone wrong when you find a large particle in the system.
The sampling system is inserted into the access plug that the pump came with. Once the plug is in place, then I won’t protrude more than 1 inch, which makes it a very easy system for those who are limited to smaller space.
Then once the tap is in place, it’s easy to just unscrew the cap which will expose a cavity where you can easily take a sample from. There is then a sampling probe which will connect to the sampling valve. You’ll then find a length of clean sampling tube that connects to the vacuum pump and a clean sample bottle. Just pull on the handle to draw out fluid for adding to the sample bottle.
Taking clean samples is essential in order to take a balanced view of what’s going on with any hydraulic system. It’s possible to attain this by using one of the sampling valves that are available on the market. They create a closed loop circuit which will prevent any contamination from entering the oil sample. The sample can only be taken once the probe is fully engaged with the valve. Once the sampling probe is disconnected the sampling valve will reset.
By taking clean samples, you can discover what is going awry with your hydraulic system, and even predict potential future issues. However, if it’s not clean or you introduce further outside dirt or muck, then it’s not going to be at all helpful and you’d be better off not doing it at all. Ensure that you keep your sampling clean to promote the ‘health’ of your hydraulic system.