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Choosing Pneumatic Components in Minnesota Based on Your Operating Environment

A pneumatic cylinder is an essential component in a variety of hydraulic systems. Although pneumatic technology has been around for quite a while, it has developed by leaps and bounds over the last several decades. As pneumatic technology becomes more sophisticated, it’s important that businesses ensure a suitable operating environment to promote the effective function of pneumatic cylinders. Making smart decisions about pneumatic cylinders based on the environment in which they will be operating is the most effective way to promote the longevity, reliability and efficiency of hydraulic equipment. Make sure you understand all of the various factors that affect the operation of your pneumatic components in Minnesota so that you can make the best possible choice for your specific circumstances:

  • Corrosion: In many industrial workplaces, corrosive elements are a concern. In corrosive environments, such as those with excessive humidity with the potential for salt spray, it’s essential that your cylinder be properly protected against damage. Your cylinder should be coated with corrosive-resistant spray, and you should have a stainless-steel piston rod. In some cases, it might be necessary to install scraper rings that scour residue from cylinders before corrosion sets in. If you’ve noticed corrosion with your existing equipment, it’s important to invest in replacement components to avoid mechanical failures.
  • Cleanliness: Although cleanliness is generally desired across industrial applications, it’s especially important for the food and beverage production industry. Pneumatic cylinders that are used in food and beverage production must be designed to minimize bacteria. It’s also important to choose a cylinder that can self-lubricate as a precaution against rust from frequent washing.
  • Temperature: If you’re using your pneumatic components in Minnesota at an operating temperature that’s beyond the standard range of -20°C to 80°C, you will need to look for specialized equipment that’s suitable for higher temperatures. If your operating temperatures are much lower than normal, you should invest in specialized sealing and lubricating products that are designed to optimize pneumatic components in Minnesota for extreme temperature operation.
  • Explosive hazards: Certain work environments deal with processes and components that can lead to explosions. In these cases, it’s essential to find products that are specifically designed and approved for use in explosive environments. Make sure to identify products that hold the certifications necessary to be used in environments where explosions are possible. High-quality products will promote safe, effective and consistent operation despite the environmental factors at play.

When you need hydraulic service, repair or pneumatic components in Minnesota, you can rest assured that M & M Hydraulic Company can help you out. We are a team with decades of experience in the hydraulics industry. We have delivered comprehensive repair and service solutions to customers throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest. We are proud to be a family owned and operated company with a team of experienced technicians and hydraulic experts who are here to assist you. Regardless of the specific parts you’re looking for, we can help you by providing you with information about what we have available and which components would be best for your specific needs and budget.

Hydraulic Maintenance in the Summer

Now that summer has finally arrived, you might be spending a lot of time thinking about all of the warm weather activities you’ll be participating in—but there are some functional considerations for your hydraulic equipment that you should focus on first. If you noticed that your hydraulic issues seemed to vanish last year as the weather cooled down, you should be especially aware of summer maintenance needs. As ambient temperatures increase, so do hydraulic issues, as a result of the increased strain placed on your equipment by higher temperatures. To avoid major summertime malfunctions, make sure you take care of preventative hydraulic service in Minnesota as soon as possible:

  • Reservoir maintenance: Start your summer maintenance by cleaning your reservoir. In general, it’s a good idea to take care of reservoir cleaning on an annual basis, but more frequent cleaning might be necessary if your equipment is under a larger demand. You don’t have to throw away your oil entirely when you drain your reservoir, but you should filter it to remove as many particles as possible.
  • System flushing: Once you’ve drained the oil from your reservoir and cleaned it, you should flush your entire system to purge it of built-up residue and debris that might decrease its efficiency and performance. After you have replaced the oil in your system, rig your inlet and outlet lines for a complete system flush. Keep your system running this way for several hours to achieve the best results.
  • Temperature and oil level switch calibration: Your oil level and temperature switches are designed to protect your system in the event that something goes wrong. Unfortunately, the default calibrations on these systems aren’t always set appropriately. Your temperature switch, for example, likely won’t shut your system off until your oil gets to about 80°C, even though your oil will start breaking down at 60°C. Setting your temperature switch to shut off the system once the oil has reached 60°C allows you to prevent temperature-related oil deterioration before it starts.
  • Leak inspection: When ambient temperatures increase during the summer, your oil actually begins to thin out. The decreased viscosity makes it more likely for your oil to leak out and can increase the severity of existing leaks. It’s always worth it to get a preventative inspection from a company that specializes in hydraulic service in Minnesota before the summer to catch leaks and other problems early on.

Get your equipment taken care of with professional hydraulic service in Minnesota that you can rely on from M & M Hydraulic Company. We are proud to be a local, family owned business with decades of experience in hydraulic repair and part replacement. Our extensive experience and vast industry knowledge allows us to assist our customers with repair and maintenance projects of any size and scale. We would be happy to walk you through our services and tell you about the replacement parts we offer. No matter what your specific needs may be, our team is here to help you every step of the way.

Hydraulic Filters: What You Need to Know About These Hydraulic Components in Minnesota

How much do you know about hydraulic components in Minnesota? Does your knowledge include the importance of hydraulic filters? Too often, this part gets overlooked. This is a costly mistake. As you work with hydraulic systems, keep in mind the following facts about hydraulic filters.

Hydraulic Filters Protect

A majority of hydraulic failures originate with hydraulic fluid contamination. This contamination works its way into the entire system and creates extensive damage. A hydraulic filter is your best defense against this contamination. It keeps debris localized and prevents it from contaminating the machinery. Use filters properly to protect your hydraulic system from failure.

Hydraulic Filters Must Be of High Quality

Since you rely on these hydraulic components in Minnesota to protect your system, it’s important to use only high-quality filters. Keep in mind that using a poor-quality filter is essentially the same as using no filter. In order to properly prevent contamination from damaging the hydraulic system, the filters must be built with quality materials and solid construction. Invest in top-quality filters to ensure optimal results.

Hydraulic Filters Must Be Changed

As with any type of filter for any type of machinery, hydraulic filters must be changed regularly. If they are not checked and changed as they should be, your hydraulic system will not be protected and could be destroyed. Check manufacturer guidelines for your machinery to determine how often the filter should be changed. They should also be changed if there has been a failure in the system, and when you replace hydraulic fluid.

Hydraulic Filters Save Money

While quality filters are an investment, they are well worth it. They provide several cost-saving benefits. First, the filter will extend the life of your equipment. By keeping the system free of contaminants, the machinery and the fluid will last longer. The proper functioning that results also increases the efficiency of the equipment. By properly maintaining the filters, you will also reduce maintenance and repair costs, as well as reduce the downtime you experience. Lastly, this essential hydraulic component in Minnesota will prevent common failures in the system. Overall, this part saves time, money and hassle.

Hydraulic Filters Vary

As you seek to take advantage of the benefits of hydraulic filters, keep in mind that not all filters are the same. There are several types. The most common include screen, magnetic and bag filters. Screen filters consist of small wires woven together to create a metallic cloth. The advantage of this style is specificity. The cloths can be made with a precise pore size based on what contaminants are expected in the system. A bag filter includes a cloth bag through which the hydraulic fluid passes. Contaminants are prevented from flowing through the bag. This type is a good choice to filter dirt and rust. Magnetic filters, meanwhile, are good for filtering metallic contaminants through the use of magnetically charged plates.

Find Out More

Would you like to learn more about hydraulic components in Minnesota? For additional information, contact the expert team at M & M Hydraulic Company. Reach out to our knowledgeable staff with any questions!

Why You Might Be a Good Fit for Our Hydraulic Repair Service in Minnesota

Are you looking for a great career opportunity? Are you a skilled hydraulic technician? Our hydraulic repair service in Minnesota may have the ideal job for you. If you seek a solid company with a qualified team of professionals, consider M & M Hydraulic Company.

How can you know if this is the best move for you? Review the following qualifications to determine if you would be a good fit.

Are you skilled at troubleshooting?

Hydraulic technicians must be good at diagnosing the problem and working toward a solution. When a piece of equipment stops working, the hydraulic technician must be able to identify the issue. Skills required for this process include observation, diagnosing, technical knowledge, hand-eye coordination and perseverance. If this list describes you, you could be a great asset to our hydraulic repair service in Minnesota.

Are you skilled at mechanical repairs and maintenance?

Servicing hydraulic equipment is about more than making repairs when equipment breaks down. A good hydraulic technician also properly maintains machinery to avoid problems and expensive repairs. They must speak with equipment operators to gather information about the machinery, its use and performance. They must also have the knowledge and skill for replacing filters, refilling fluids, adjusting temperatures and working on other hydraulic components. The technician should be able to spot minor issues and repair them before they become major ones.

Are you skilled at providing information?

A customer that relies on hydraulic repair service in Minnesota will inevitably have questions for the technician. You should be well versed in various machinery and its functions. A hydraulic technician must be able to answer basic questions about which equipment is best for certain tasks and how to maintain that equipment. The technician should be a source of information that the customer can rely on to help them keep their equipment and their business running optimally.

Are you skilled at math?

Hydraulic technicians must be skilled at reading measurements and applying those measurements to repairs. The various machinery parts have specific thicknesses and lengths that must be measured properly to complete repairs. If you’re comfortable using measurement tools to complete accurate maintenance and to choose the correct parts for the job, you might be a good fit for our hydraulic repair service in Minnesota.

Are you skilled in dexterity?

To work as a hydraulic technician, you must hold multiple pieces and tools. To assemble and disassemble parts and machinery, you must have good hand-eye coordination. This dexterity is essential to complete daily tasks in this field. Consider your level of dexterity to determine if a career as a hydraulic technician would be a good match for your skills.

Find Your Niche

Did you answer “yes” to all of these questions? If so, you might want to consider applying your talents to our hydraulic repair service in Minnesota. Contact the professionals at M & M Hydraulic Company to find out more about joining our team. We offer great opportunities for those with the right skills. Reach out to us today to get started on launching your new career.

What Happens If Your Hydraulic System Is Still Running with Old Oil?

Hydraulic systems depend on clean, viscous fluid to operate correctly. If you are running a hydraulic machine without the correct oil viscosity or with oil that has substantial impurities, you could be putting your expensive heavy machinery at risk of failure. Operating machinery with fluid that isn’t at the correct viscosity could cause your equipment to overheat, and fluid with impurities, like dust and water, can cause your gear to prematurely corrode. Working with an expert specializing in hydraulic repair in Minnesota can help you maximize the lifespan and effectiveness of all of your hydraulic equipment.

Hydraulic systems typically come pre-loaded with a base fluid that is then topped off with additives. The frequency with which additives are added depends primarily on the type of machinery and the frequency with which it’s used.

While most hydraulic fluid can last for years without being replaced, there are a number of things that can cause equipment users to have to replace their oil prematurely. While some degradation is natural and expected, here are just some of the things that can cause hydraulic fluid to prematurely corrode:

  • Overheating: When oil is repeatedly overheated, it may lose some of its viscosity. This becomes problematic in hydraulic systems, which rely on consistent pressure to operate successfully. Heat can also cause oil to burn, which may result in small particulates floating in the fluid. This can cause abrasion against the hydraulic surfaces.
  • Contamination: Particulate contamination, as well as condensate contamination, is a common problem with hydraulic equipment. Occasionally, dust particles can enter your hydraulic system and cause substantive internal damage. Condensate contamination occurs when water forms inside the hydraulic column, often resulting in rust and corrosion.
  • Oxidization: Oxidative degradation is typically only diagnosable through an advanced oil test. This occurs when the original base hydraulic fluid inside of your equipment begins to degrade and oxidize. This is typically identifiable by foul-smelling and dark-looking hydraulic oil. You should perform regular fluid analyses to prevent this from becoming a major issue.
  • Additive depletion: Over time, the additive you place inside of your hydraulic system will deplete due to burnup and other causes. If the additive depletes too much, however, you will have to change all of the fluid inside of your hydraulic system. The best way to do this is to consult with an expert specializing in hydraulic repair in Minnesota.

Experts knowledgeable about hydraulic repair in Minnesota can help companies and individuals that rely on hydraulic equipment to be more financially efficient.

It’s exceedingly important to work with a company that offers high-quality hydraulic equipment services when addressing your hydraulic needs. M & M Hydraulic Company has been the most trusted provider of hydraulic repair in Minnesota for more than 40 years. We provide each and every one of our clients with dependable hydraulic services that ensure that their equipment remains in tip-top shape for as long as possible. If you are looking for expert assistance with your hydraulic or pneumatic gear, look no further than our expert team.

Old-School Methods for Hydraulic Oil Analysis

Hydraulic systems are complex pieces of machinery that rely on consistent lubrication, sealant and pressure to work effectively. Hydraulic systems are implemented in a wide variety of industrial and even consumer products, including automotive brakes, gasoline pumps, dishwashers, airplanes, forklifts, backhoes, snowplows, amusement park rides and office chairs. Hydraulic systems essentially rely on oil pressure to create enough force to move or sustain an object’s position with limited electronic or physical manipulation. Hydraulic systems, when working correctly, allow people across industries to maximize their efficiency.

Over time, however, the hydraulic fluid inside a hydraulic device can degrade and become contaminated. Imperfections in hydraulic oil could cause long-term and occasionally irreparable damage to hydraulic systems. That’s why it’s especially important to consult with an expert provider of hydraulic service in Minnesota to learn about how often you should test the hydraulic fluid in your machinery.

While most machinery operators tend to send their hydraulic fluids away for professional testing and analysis, it is possible to test your fluid on your own. This can give you a better sense of the status of your fluid, and help you make the determination on whether you should send your fluid away for further examination or not.

Here are just some of the steps you should take to examine your own hydraulic fluid:

  • Visual inspection: First, you should begin examining your hydraulic oil by performing a visual inspection. Compare your machinery’s current oil sample with a new oil sample, and pay close attention to the color and levels of impurities present in the old oil.
  • Shake and observe: While observing your hydraulic oil, shake the vials of both new and old fluid. How do the oils respond to rapid movement? If the old oil is behaving in a way that’s substantially different from the new oil, you should probably consider sending it off for testing.
  • Cool the oil: While you should begin observing your oil at operating temperatures, you may be able to get a better feel for its current state by cooling it. Once the oil is cool, rub some between your thumb and forefinger to see how extensive the imperfections are.
  • Inspect the filter: Finally, you should inspect the filter element of your machinery. Begin by looking for any rips or tears near the filter, and then use a strong magnet to wipe the filter. If the magnet picks up lots of metal shavings, you should have your oil tested.

Since 1976, M & M Hydraulic Company has been a highly trusted provider of hydraulic service in Minnesota. We are proud to provide each and every one of our clients with high-quality, specialized hydraulic services that meet their individual machinery needs. We are known for our prompt, professional and friendly service. Regardless of the type of hydraulic system you use, we can provide you with the repairs, parts and operating expertise you need to succeed. Our expert team of hydraulic specialists can assist you with making your machinery meet your needs, and not the other way around.