Operating machinery that continually falls prey to contamination can be frustrating, and this is only made worse if you are unable to determine just how these substances keep making their way into your hydraulic system. With the help of a provider of hydraulic maintenance in Minnesota, take a look at some of the top causes of hydraulic system contamination.
Machine operation
It will be important to keep an eye on both normal and abnormal operation, as the wear that is caused by both can lead to the presence of internal contamination within your system. For example, if your machine fails due to insufficient lubrication, your system could eventually end up shut down with a mechanical or thermal malfunction.
While a machine’s operation can cause internal contaminants to form, there are several other components that could be the source of a problem as well. Each mechanism in your system has its own set of pollutants that it can produce, and you could find your system being tainted with contaminants from internal parts such as the seals, gaskets or filters.
In some instances, the lubricants that your machine uses could already be contaminated before their arrival at your facility, and you could unknowingly be introducing a harmful substance directly into your system. To avoid this, make sure that each shipment received from the manufacturer is checked to ensure that these lubricants are free of contamination before putting them to use.
Shop environment
In addition to the issues that may be occurring within your hydraulic system, the external environment in which your machine is located can also introduce the presence of contaminants into the system. Most shops are susceptible to omnipresent levels of dust, minerals and moisture in the atmosphere. On top of these common substances that exist in all shops, your shop’s production focus can also introduce other specific contaminants into the environment such as metal, wood or other chemicals. All of these outside sources can come into contact with your system at any time and can potentially cause problems for your machinery’s operation.
Regular maintenance
Making sure that all of your machinery undergoes routine maintenance can go a long way toward keeping the occurrences of contamination low. Service such as re-welding, part replacement and general repairs can ensure that your machine is working at its optimal level, which can in turn keep contamination that results from abnormal wear at bay. Routine oil flushing is also necessary so that your system can be rid of any harmful substances that may have previously been in the system, as well as any contamination that may have been created during the maintenance process.
When it comes to the regular maintenance of your hydraulic machinery, our team at M & M Hydraulic Company has you covered. We have been repairing and monitoring hydraulic equipment in machine shops since 1976, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure that your machinery stays running so that your business can continue to be efficient. If you are in need of an experienced, knowledgeable provider of hydraulic maintenance in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa or Wisconsin, give us a call today to learn about everything we can do for your business.