practical hydraulics: 8 common mistakes hyd users make and how to avoid them

[dfkrug]

Here is a good article that may interest a few tractor folks:
https://hydraulics.infusionsoft.com/app/optIn/9/38e2d9fe400084df/21460740/1ef61601e3c91423

Brendan Casey has published numerous useful articles on the practical
application, maintenance, and repair of hydraulic systems. His subject list of
mistakes:

1: Changing the oil
2: Changing the filters
3: Running too hot
4: Using the wrong oil
5: Wrong filter locations
6: Believing hyd components are self-priming and self-lubricating
7: Assuming the machine manufacturer knows best
8: Not getting an education in hydraulics

Most of these have been discussed on TBN before, but Mr. Casey adds
some depth. Very interesting read.

For the sake of discussion on #1, I think that an owner of an excavator
with a 50-gal hyd reservoir can justify oil analysis, but what about those
of us with only 10 gallons? Has anyone here paid for a lab analysis? Does
dumping your 10 gallons of oil every 400 hours regardless of age make
sense?

 

[MHarryE]

Here is a good article that may interest a few tractor folks:
https://hydraulics.infusionsoft.com/app/optIn/9/38e2d9fe400084df/21460740/1ef61601e3c91423

For the sake of discussion on #1, I think that an owner of an excavator
with a 50-gal hyd reservoir can justify oil analysis, but what about those
of us with only 10 gallons? Has anyone here paid for a lab analysis? Does
dumping your 10 gallons of oil every 400 hours regardless of age make
sense?

Costs $20 at my Cat dealer to get a full oil analysis. Complete hydraulic system change in either of my pieces of small equipment costs a lot more than that, and like he says, if I just change the oil I still don't have a good idea of bad things that might be happening in my system unless it is completely coming apart and I drain visible particles.

 

[dfkrug]

Costs $20 at my Cat dealer to get a full oil analysis. Complete hydraulic system change in either of my pieces of small equipment costs a lot more than that, and like he says, if I just change the oil I still don't have a good idea of bad things that might be happening in my system unless it is completely coming apart and I drain visible particles.

Have you ever had your hyd oil analyzed? If so, what are you looking
for in the results that indicates depleted additives?

My bro has a Freightliner and pays for analysis of engine oil. They are
looking for different results, obviously. I imagine the same places could
order a hyd oil analysis.