For new or freshly rebuilt equipment, all hoses, lines, and fittings should be thoroughly cleaned internally. The best method is to use a compressed-air cleaning tool that propels cleaning material through the hoses and fittings to remove dirt and debris before connecting all lines and performing an initial system flush.
Once cleaning and flushing are completed, the system filters should be changed, and the reservoir filled with the appropriate viscosity hydraulic oil before returning to service.
It’s important to note that solid contamination can also enter new Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic fluid during delivery if dirty transfer hoses and equipment are used. Therefore, performing an oil analysis test upon receiving new oil, especially in bulk, is essential to detect solids and water contamination. New oil for high-pressure hydraulic systems should meet a minimum ISO cleanliness level of 16/14/11. To avoid unacceptable hydraulic fluid, establish a cleanliness contract with your oil supplier that includes proof of cleanliness upon delivery.
Other preventable sources of maintenance-related solid contamination include:
- Improperly stored oil (loose lids, incorrect container orientation).
- Dirty transfer equipment used to fill the equipment reservoir.
- Reusing contaminated “leaked” oil.
- Open reservoirs allowing water ingress.
- Poor filter maintenance leading to dirty oil bypassing into the system.
- Incorrect filter ratings (e.g., using a 100-micron filter, which offers no protection).
- Neglecting cleanliness practices when handling lubricants and hydraulic fluids.
Water Contamination
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic fluids are naturally hygroscopic, meaning they can retain moisture up to their saturation point, typically around 300 ppm or 0.04% concentration. Water is a universal contaminant that can deplete vital oil additives and create corrosive acids that harm system components.
Additionally, water can diminish the lubricant’s film strength and its ability to release air, increasing the risk of wear, corrosion, and cavitation (see the “Air Contamination” section). In high-temperature applications, water can evaporate, causing significant inefficiencies in hydraulic power transfer.
Common sources of preventable water contamination include:
- Incorrect outdoor storage of lubricants leading to condensation.
- Open reservoirs that allow process water ingress.
Water can be detected in two forms: free (separated from oil) and emulsified (mixed with oil, appearing cloudy). To manage water contamination, use polymeric-style filter media designed to absorb water, vacuum distillation to boil off moisture, or desiccant breathers to dehumidify the reservoir airspace.
Air Contamination
Air contamination is problematic when entrained in fluid. Air bubbles less than one millimeter in diameter disperse throughout the oil, reducing viscosity and film strength, leading to premature wear of Automotive Lift Repair Orlando components.
Entrained air can also decrease the oil’s bulk modulus, compromising efficiency and control, increasing heat load, and causing fluid deterioration and system erosion. Larger air bubbles (over one millimeter) can create foam, quickly depleting anti-foam additives in hydraulic fluid and causing oxidation.
Preventable causes of air contamination include:
- Overfilled or underfilled lubricant reservoirs.
- Clogged inlet filters or reservoir breathers.
- Restricted inlet lines.
- Loose inlet line clamps.
- Pump-shaft seal failures.
Fortunately, contamination issues are easily preventable and inexpensive to address.
Recommended Maintenance Practices
The following Automotive Lift Repair Orlando recommendations can serve as a checklist or starting point for enhancing preventive maintenance strategies for hydraulic systems:
- Establish a fluid cleanliness standard.
- Store lubricants in a cool, dry place and practice FIFO (First In, First Out) stock rotation.
- Maintain good housekeeping practices to keep reservoirs clean of dirt and debris.
- Clean all lines before initial system startup.
- Flush all lubrication systems before startup and change oil and filters.
- Use dedicated filter carts for each hydraulic fluid type with quick-connect fittings to transfer and clean hydraulic fluid before it enters a reservoir.
- Install external sight gauges marked with high and low fluid levels on reservoirs for easy checking of water contamination and fluid levels (for leak detection).
- Ensure machine operators regularly check reservoir levels and look for leaks.
- Repair any system leaks immediately upon discovery.
- Use polymeric oil filters and desiccant air breathers for reservoirs.
- Specify cylinder-rod wipers and replace worn actuator seals.
- Conduct regular oil analysis testing for cleanliness and additive effectiveness.
Keep in mind the crucial role of Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic systems in your operations. They are the backbone of many manufacturing processes. Their performance is not only a financial issue but also a safety concern. With basic care, common sense, and minimal expense, you can ensure these systems operate efficiently, reliably, and for a long time.
In the context of automotive and construction equipment, the terms hydraulic and pneumatic refer to methods of transmitting power using liquids or gases. Fundamental physical laws govern the behavior of both liquids and gases. This chapter discusses the basic principles of hydraulics and pneumatics, along with an overview of various system components. The aim is to provide a thorough understanding of how these principles interrelate with the components of hydraulic and pneumatic operating systems.
Objectives
Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to:
1. Understand the operating principles of hydraulic systems.
2. Identify the operational characteristics, component functions, and maintenance procedures associated with hydraulic systems.
3. Grasp the operating principles of pneumatic systems.
4. Recognize operational characteristics and service procedures related to heavy-duty compressors.
Prerequisites
This Automotive Lift Repair Orlando course map outlines all the chapters in the Construction Mechanic Basic program, suggesting a training order that starts at the bottom and progresses upward, with increasing skill levels as you advance through the material.
Features of this Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Manual
This manual includes several user-friendly features for online navigation:
– Reference numbers for figures and tables in the text are italicized, and the corresponding figures or tables are located nearby.
– Glossary terms are bold and italicized upon their first mention; hovering over these terms will display their definitions in a pop-up box.
– Audio and video clips are integrated within the text, with italicized instructions indicating where to click to activate them.
– Review questions relevant to each section are presented under the “Test Your Knowledge” heading at the end of that section. You can select your answer, and if correct, you will move to the next section. If incorrect, you will be directed to the relevant part of the chapter for further review. After reviewing, click anywhere in that area to return to the review question and attempt it again.
The widespread adoption of hydraulics for power transmission stems from several advantageous features of a well-designed hydraulic system: