Ensuring appropriate filters are in the correct locations is crucial for the success of contamination control endeavors. However, solely prioritizing price when purchasing filters can jeopardize this effort. Similar to other non-authentic or aftermarket components, replacement filter elements vary in quality and cost. There are two potential hazards associated with using “will fit” filter elements.

Firstly, if the element lacks structural compatibility. For instance, I recall a personal experience from my youth when I installed a non-genuine transmission oil filter on a Deutz tractor. Despite being cross-referenced correctly by its aftermarket manufacturer, the spin-on element appeared identical and fitted seamlessly. However, what wasn’t apparent was that the more expensive genuine element included a built-in bypass valve, which the non-genuine element lacked. On a chilly morning, the high pressure drop across the element caused it to loosen. Fortunately, the filter was conveniently located near the cabin steps, allowing the operator to detect the issue before starting work. Had the problem gone unnoticed, the transmission could have been drained of oil, leading to its destruction. Consequently, we opted for the genuine filter for that application thereafter.

The second concern pertains to the performance of a cheaper replacement element compared to the original, and how to discern it. Regular particle counts on the respective Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  machine, coupled with changing filter elements based on their condition rather than solely on service hours, quickly reveal whether the cheaper filter element is a prudent choice. The crucial factor isn’t the absolute price of the filter element but the cost per unit of dirt captured and retained. This metric facilitates a direct comparison. For instance, if a filter element is half the price but necessitates twice as frequent replacements to maintain the target fluid cleanliness level, then opting for the cheaper element proves to be economically unsound.

Conversely, failing to conduct regular particle counts and changing filter elements based on a predetermined number of service hours recommended by the machine manufacturer can be risky if relying solely on price. In this scenario, one is entirely dependent on the manufacturer’s recommended change interval, which ideally is founded on testing conducted with their genuine filter elements. Transitioning to different filter elements while adhering to the same change interval exacerbates the uncertainty.

Continuous surveillance of the filter elements within a Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  hydraulic system offers valuable insights into both the filter’s efficacy and the system’s condition. Before delving into this, let’s examine the advantages and drawbacks of common filter placements in a Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  hydraulic system.

Pressure Filtration

Placing filter media within the pressure line offers optimal safeguarding for components situated downstream. The positive pressure available facilitates filtration rates as fine as two microns or less. However, high flow velocities and pressure and flow transients may diminish filter efficiency by disturbing trapped particles. The primary drawback of pressure filtration lies in its economic aspect. Both the housings and elements (of the high-collapse type) must be engineered to withstand system operating pressure, resulting in the highest initial and ongoing costs among filtration methods.

Return Filtration

Positioning filter media in the return line is justified by the premise that if the Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  hydraulic reservoir and its oil start off clean, and all incoming air and returning oil are adequately filtered, fluid cleanliness will be maintained. Additionally, the return line offers sufficient pressure to push fluid through fine media—typically around 10 microns—without complicating filter or housing design. The relatively low flow velocity, combined with ample pressure, allows for achieving a high level of filtering efficiency at an economical cost. Consequently, return line filtration is a prevalent feature in most Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  hydraulic systems.

Off-line Filtration

Off-line filtration facilitates continuous, multi-pass filtration at controlled flow velocity and pressure drop, resulting in high filtering efficiency. This method permits filtration rates as fine as two microns or less and allows for integrating water removal filters and heat exchangers in the circuit for comprehensive fluid conditioning. While off-line filtration entails a high initial cost, it is often justified based on the machine’s lifespan cost.

Filter Condition Monitoring

Detection of filter bypass is typically facilitated by visual or electric clogging indicators. These indicators signal when the pressure drop (delta P) across the element nears the opening pressure of the bypass valve (if installed). For instance, in the case of a return filter, if the bypass valve opens at a delta P of 3 Bar, the clogging indicator will typically trigger at 2 Bar.

Advanced Filter Condition Monitoring

Substituting standard clogging indicators with differential pressure gauges or transducers allows for continuous monitoring of the filter element’s condition. This enables tracking fluid cleanliness trends against filter element pressure drop, which can be utilized to optimize oil sample and filter change intervals. For example, the optimal change interval for a return filter in a specific system might differ from the clogging indicator’s switching pressure of 2 Bar.

Continuous monitoring of filter pressure drop can also serve as an early warning system for component failures and element ruptures. A sudden increase in delta P across a pressure filter, for instance, could indicate an impending failure of an upstream component or significant contamination ingress. Conversely, a sudden decrease in delta P could signal an element rupture, a scenario not typically detected by a standard clogging indicator.

Drawing from my experience, electrostatic discharge within Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  hydraulic systems isn’t widely encountered. However, as I’ll elucidate shortly, there are indications that its prevalence might be increasing, necessitating heightened awareness.

As you may recall from basic science experiments, friction between two bodies in relative motion generates electrostatic charge. Consequently, electrostatic charge buildup occurs within hydraulic systems due to friction between the fluid and system components.

A typical indication of electrostatic discharge in a Car Lift Repair Tampa Florida  hydraulic setup is an audible clicking sound, resulting from the repetitive accumulation and discharge of charge through sparking to a lower-voltage surface. 

Although you might not have encountered a ‘clicking’ hydraulic filter assembly yet, there are several reasons why this issue could be growing more prevalent. Firstly, there’s a notable shift towards the utilization of hydraulic oils containing non-metallic additives. Hydraulic oils incorporating zinc-based anti-wear additives tend to possess relatively high conductivity.