A list of Preventive Maintenance Task for a Hydraulic System could be:

1.     Change the (could be the return or pressure filter) hydraulic filter.

2.     Obtain a hydraulic fluid sample.

3.     Filter hydraulic fluid.

4.     Check hydraulic actuators.

5.     Clean the inside of a hydraulic reservoir.

6.     Clean the outside of a hydraulic reservoir.

7.     Check and record hydraulic pressures.

8.     Check and record pump flow.

9.     Check hydraulic hoses, tubing and fittings.

10.   Check and record voltage reading to proportional or servo valves.

11.   Check and record vacuum on the suction side of the pump.

12.   Check and record amperage on the main pump motor.

13.   Check machine cycle time and record.

Preventive Maintenance is the core support that a hydraulic system must have in order to maximize component and life and reduce system failure. Preventive Maintenance procedures that are properly written and followed properly will allow equipment to operate to its full potential and life cycle.  Preventive Maintenance allows a maintenance department to control a hydraulic system rather than the system controlling the maintenance department.  We must control a hydraulic system by telling it when we will perform maintenance on it and how much money we will spend on the maintenance for the system. Most companies allow the hydraulic system to control the maintenance on them, at a much higher cost.  

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