Cold Weather Maintenance For Your Hydraulic Equipment
by Dan Adams
Hydraulic machinery plays a vital role in many modern industries. Heavy machinery needs to operate continually for companies to generate a profit, and this often means working in cold weather.
Winter temperatures have the potential to wreak havoc on your hydraulic machines if you don't take the time to prepare them properly. Use these tips to complete vital cold-weather maintenance tasks that will protect your expensive hydraulic machinery this winter.
Complete a Hydraulic Fluid Flush
The first thing you should do to prepare your hydraulic equipment for winter weather is complete a full fluid flush. Hydraulic fluid is integral to the process used by your machinery to generate power. Hydraulic fluid can become contaminated over time, and contaminant particles can seriously compromise the function of your equipment in cold weather. Flushing out all of the old hydraulic fluid and replacing it with a fresh supply will help your equipment run more efficiently in cold weather.
Use a Low Viscosity Oil
The viscosity of the oil in your hydraulic equipment can have a direct effect on performance. Cold weather can cause normal oil to congeal. The increase in viscosity created when oil congeals can prevent the surfaces inside your hydraulic machinery from lubricating properly. A lack of lubrication can then lead to overheating or engine seizure. Switch to a low viscosity oil product in cold weather to help offset the congealing caused by cool temperatures.
Install an Equipment Heater
If you need your hydraulic machinery to operate properly in extreme weather conditions, then you will need to install an equipment heater to protect the machinery against serious damage. An equipment heater is installed inside the engine bay of a hydraulic machine. The primary role of the heater is to raise the internal temperature above the freezing point. Increasing the temperature in the engine bay can help to prevent hydraulic fluids and lubricants within the engine bay from congealing. Ultimately, heavy equipment operating in sub-zero temperatures must be equipped with a heater if you want to avoid serious complications and extensive downtime during the cold months.
Cold weather can take a toll on your hydraulic equipment. You must spend the time and effort required to properly prepare your machinery to withstand the winter weather. Flush out old fluids, utilize a low viscosity oil, and install an equipment heater before you ask your hydraulic machinery to perform in cold weather. For more information, contact a hydraulic shop through websites like https://www.cerprodnjhydraulics.com/.
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About Me
My 8-year old son absolutely loves everything about heavy construction equipment. As a school project, he was assigned to create a blog that includes as much information about heavy construction equipment as he could "dig up". We had such a great time working together that we decided to continue working on the blog to fill it with even more information about all sorts of heavy construction equipment. We have answered many questions about these machines and have provided a lot of useful information about how they run, what they can do and so much more about all of the different machines used in construction.