Hydraulic equipment plays a crucial role in many industrial facilities. Maintaining the equipment ensures it will continue to perform as expected and meet your business's needs. While hydraulic equipment repairs can restore damaged devices, following the steps below can help prevent issues from developing in the first place. 

How to Maintain Your Hydraulic Equipment

1. Check Oil Regularly

Using high-quality hydraulic oil keeps components lubricated and helps prevent major damage and expensive repairs. It's important to check this oil to ensure it's not contaminated with dust and other debris that would affect its performance. Develop an oil maintenance schedule based on usage and manufacturer's recommendations, and make sure the rest of your staff is aware of it. While checking for debris, inspect the fluid levels to see if anything needs to be refilled and change the filters as needed. 

2. Keep the Equipment Clean

Cleaning hydraulic equipment isn't just for aesthetic purposes. Dirt and contaminants on the outside can easily make their way into the system during repairs and maintenance, ultimately clogging the lines and filters. Many components need to be cleaned as frequently as every 100 hours of use, and the system should always be wiped down before any planned maintenance to prevent accidental contamination during the service. 

3. Assess the Condition of Lines

Hydraulic lines bring fluid to different parts of the equipment when it's in use. Pressure within the hoses can cause deformities that affect function, such as significant warping that eventually creates a leak. Visually assessing lines can tell you a lot about their condition, such as whether the hoses can withstand any fluid pressure or heat exposure. If you notice any bulging or ballooning, it's time to schedule hydraulic equipment repairs to prevent a serious malfunction. 

4. Pay Attention to Filter Indicators

Filters in hydraulic equipment stop external contaminants from getting inside the device, so they need to be changed routinely. The system indicator tells you the level of contamination directly, so you can determine when a filter has reached its capacity. At this point, it must be replaced immediately to keep the equipment working properly.  

Industrial facilities throughout Kalispell, MT, rely on Commercial Machine Service to keep their hydraulic systems running. Visit the website www.commercialmachineservices.com for the complete list of services.