6 Sources Of Hydraulic Leaks That You Should Be Aware Of

Are you aware that a single drop of hydraulic fluid per second translates to 420 gallons per year? Try to imagine how much it costs you per annum when you lose this volume of hydraulic fluid. The problem is usually with the components that make up the hydraulic system. The components are what the hydraulic repair companies inspect first when you request them to fix your system. In other cases, it is an issue of poor maintenance, contamination, and connection breaks. These issues can fit into any of these 6 sources.

1. Seal Failure

The commonest problem with the seal is breakage. This happens when they are improperly fitted or they are exposed to high temperatures. To prevent this problem, you should use quality seals and ensure they are well fitted. The material should be able to withstand high temperature and not break easily. Always replace the seals with high-quality options.

2. Cracked Hose

The hose can crack due to improper fitting or increased temperature in the hydraulic system. It can also be because of low-quality material. So, you should ensure that quality hoses are used and the fitting is expertly done.

3. Misaligned Rods

Misaligned rods increase the side load. This translates to increased oil temperature, above 1400F. When the oil temperature is this high, the oil will be lost through evaporation. The solution lies in inspecting the oil temperature to ensure that it doesn’t exceed the limit.

4. Dirty System

This is indicated by blocked filters. If your hydraulic system is poorly maintained, the filters will block and the oil will leak. You should have the filters cleaned regularly or replaced if necessary to prevent this problem.

5. Oxidation

Oxidation happens due to overheating in the system and at times due to contamination. In the long run, the major components fail and the oil leaks. The solution lies in checking the oil temperature to prevent overheating and cleaning the system. In addition, contamination levels should be checked using electronic particle count analyses. Water content, viscosity, and spectroscopic wear levels should also be monitored once in every three months.

6. Shock and Vibrations

These lead to loss of the connection of the various hydraulic components. The solution is in replacing the damaged parts.

Hydraulic leaks not only cost you money but also pose environmental and safety threats. So, when a leak happens, the best you can do is calling the hydraulic cylinder breakdown and repair companies to examine and fix the problem. Carry a background check on the repair company to ascertain whether it is worth your time and money.