The importance of fluids in heavy machinery

The level of fluids in the machinery, their pureness, and other variables are directly involved in the correct performance and performance of the equipment in the job area. Engine oil and hydraulic fluid provide owners with valuable information on the overall condition of the equipment.

Engine oil:

This is a critical element in any machine, the protection of vital engine components depends on it. If you don’t have an adequate volume of this fluid, the vehicle is exposed to corrosion, component damage, premature wear, etc.

Most machine manufacturers recommend 300-hour oil change periods, and others offer oils with unique specifications that will require intervals of up to 500 hours.

Almost all motor oil companies usually associate the usefulness of the same according to the atmospheric temperature and its degree of viscosity. In general, at increasingly colder temperatures, thinner oil performs better, while a thick fluid will reach optimal peaks at warmer temperatures.

Hydraulic fluid:

The hydraulic fluid in equipment is an element with multiple functions that can take care of everything from heat transfer to being a part of the sealing and keeping the equipment running smoothly.

Because there are no universal specifications concerning the viscosity or other parameters for the hydraulic fluid, it is recommended to omit the use of generic oils because in most cases they will not be compatible with your equipment causing damage to elements such as the pump. Impacting the overall productivity of the machine.

General recommendations:

-Keep a history of how often fluids are changed either monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, etc. Equipment that requires fluids with a frequency greater than that suggested by the manufacturer in its operating manual and that is not subjected to exhausting work often have component failures that can be detected and corrected in time if optimal control is maintained.

-Choose fluids and wear elements such as original equipment manufacturer filters as these contain the correct specifications to function optimally in your equipment. Using generic items can be out of specification causing costly damage or reducing the life of machine components.

-Perform frequent samples of motor oil, transmission oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant for later analysis in the laboratory to determine the number of external agents that can contaminate your equipment.

-Some fluids are often vulnerable to component degradation by strong sunlight or high temperatures. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper storage.