As hydraulic repair specialists, we commonly see many repair jobs that could have been avoided simply by people better maintaining their systems or avoiding certain elementary mistakes that cause unnecessary damage. These mistakes occur quite frequently, but if you are able to avoid them, you can save yourself a significant amount of money and hassle that you would otherwise have to deal with in repairs.
Here are a few of the most common mistakes that make it necessary to obtain hydraulic repair in Minnesota:
- Changing oil: You only need to change the oil in a hydraulic system in two situations: when the base oil has been substantially degraded, or when the additive package has depleted. Otherwise, changing the hydraulic oil like you would change the oil in a car simply due to amount of service can actually cause some significant damage to the system. Aside from that, with as expensive as hydraulic oil can be, you should only really change it when it becomes absolutely necessary if you want to avoid high costs.
- Changing filters: Again, if you compare hydraulic system maintenance to standard car maintenance, it might seem hard to believe that you should actually avoid changing filters. However, you should only change the filter as soon as the capacity for dirt particles is completely used up. Otherwise, if you do it sooner, you’re simply throwing away money on unnecessary filter switches.
- Placing filters in the wrong location: Believe it or not, this is a common problem among people who use hydraulic equipment. There are two specific spots where you should avoid putting filters: the drain lines from piston pump and motor housings, and the pump inlet. While it might seem strange to not protect the pump especially with a filter, keep in mind that pumps take their oil from a dedicated reservoir that is fully protected from outside debris. Unless you are letting debris get into that reservoir, there is nothing to worry about.
- Letting the system run too hot: If a hydraulic system gets too hot (for example, fluid temperatures reaching 180 degrees Fahrenheit or more), you run the risk of losing lubrication and damaging various parts of the system. Many people simply soldier on through high temperatures to get their job done, but you should absolutely avoid running the system too hot if at all possible.
- Not understanding a hydraulic system: Simply put, if you are going to be regularly using hydraulic equipment, you need to educate yourself in how it works. This education will give you everything you need to know about maintenance, parts and more. Knowledge of the overall system is your best defense against any of these common hydraulic equipment mistakes.
At M & M Hydraulic Company, our goal is to keep your equipment running in great condition for many years to come. For more information about our services and hydraulic repair in Minnesota, reach out to us today and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.