Hydraulic Fluid Filter 

There are two types of filters on a hydraulic system. 1.) Pressure Filter  - Pressure filters come in collapsible and non-collapsible types. Preferred filter is the non-collapsible type. 2.) Return Filter - Typically has a bypass, which will allow contaminated oil to bypass the filter before indicating the filter needs to be changed. 

1.     Clean the filter cover or housing with a cleaning agent and clean rags. 

2.     Remove the old filter with clean hands and install new filter into the filter housing or screw into place.    

CAUTION: NEVER allow your hand to touch a filter cartridge.  Open the plastic bag and insert the filter without touching the filter with your hand. 

Preferred: based on historical trending of oil samples. 

Least Preferred: Based on equipment manufacture’s recommendations. 

Reservoir Air Breather 

The typical screen breather should not be used in a contaminated environment.  A filtered air breather with a rating of 10 micron is preferred because of the introduction of contaminants to a hydraulic system. 

1. Remove and throw away the filter. 

Preferred: Based on historical trending of oil samples. 

Least Preferred: Based on equipment  manufacture’s recommendations 

Hydraulic Reservoir 

A reservoir are used to: 

1.     Remove contamination. 

2.     Dissipate heat from the fluid. 

3.     Store a volume of oil. 

1.     Clean the outside of the reservoir to include the area under and around the reservoir. 

2.     Remove the oil by a filter pump into a clean container, which has not had other types of fluid in it before. 

3.     Clean the insides of the reservoir by opening the reservoir and cleaning the reservoir with a “Lint Free” rag. 

4.     Afterwards spray clean hydraulic fluid into the reservoir and drain out of the system. 

If any of the following conditions are met. 

1.     A hydraulic pump fails. 

2.     If the system has been opened for major work. 

3.     If an oil analysis states excessive contamination 

Hydraulic Pumps 

A maintenance person needs to know the type of pump they have in the system and determine how it operates in their system. 

Example:  What is the flow and pressure of the pump during a given operating cycle. 

This information allows a maintenance person to trend potential pump failure and troubleshoots a system problem quickly. 

1.       Check and record flow and pressure during specific operating cycles. 

2.       Review graphs of pressure and flow. 

3.       Check for excessive fluctuation of the hydraulic system. (designate the fluctuation allowed) 

Pressure checks: Preferred - Daily 

Least Preferred: Weekly 

  Flow & Pressure checks: 

Preferred- Two weeks 

Least preferred: Monthly