To operate at its optimum capacity, hydraulic components require fluid to be as clean as possible. Efficiency and economy will only be attained if contamination is minimised within the stated design parameters of the system specifications.
Contamination (dirt) in the fluid cannot always be prevented and must therefore be controlled, making the use of filters within a system essential. Filtration is a very simple necessity operating within an hydraulic system. As fluid passes through filters designed to extract dirt and allow cleaner fluid to flow through the rest of the system the process of fluid cleansing is effected.
Some experienced hydraulic engineers make fundamental mistakes when selecting filters and this normally leads to premature failure of expensive equipment. When cutting cost on hydraulic system construction, it is normally the filter that is neglected, by using the cheapest and normally not the best option available. Most manufacturers of hydraulic equipment now specify the degree of filtration required to ensure optimum lifespan for their system. Users of hydraulic equipment must therefore adopt best practices and protect their systems from contamination. Manufacturers of hydraulic filters now design and supply filters that keep fluids 'ultra clean' in accordance with ISO specifications. Hydrasales, a distributor MP Filtri, supplies a wide variety of filters and filtration elements from 3 micron absolute to 250 micron wire mesh, used in hydraulic and lubrication systems.
Trevor Mentor, Hydrasales Cape Town branch manager, says: "Filters should be selected with careful consideration according to the required levels of cleanliness, viscosity of the fluid and operating pressure of the system." He likens it to kidneys that purify the blood in the human body.
In his significant experience Mentor has also found systems engineers neglecting regular change of contaminated elements. Many systems fail earlier than the expected life cycle as a result of poor maintenance and service routines.
Mentor guarantees better performance if filters are selected not on price but on desired performance. He concludes, "You may not get all the dirt out but control the level of contamination." It will reap you excellent savings in the long term.
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