How hard is your hydraulic system working for you? An army is only as strong as its weakest soldier, and a piece of machinery is only as good as its weakest component.
If you want to make sure your hydraulic system is working to its full potential, proper maintenance is essential. There are many different actions you need to take to ensure your hydraulic system is being maintained.
One big part of proper maintenance involves having the correct filtration and cooling circuits to start off with.should the worst happen and a major failure of a hydraulic component has contaminated the system then here is how to flush your hydraulic system, and that’s what we’ll be teaching you to do today.
How To Flush A Hydraulic System
As well as ensuring it’s running to its full potential, flushing your hydraulic system has many more benefits. It will also help it to last longer, prevent breakdowns and clear out any debris or particles that may have become lodged inside.
There are a few different ways you can go about flushing a hydraulic system. Some methods are incompatible with certain types of systems and should be used only after confirmation they won’t cause any damage.
For now, we’ll go through the most basic steps, which are applicable to the vast majority of systems.
1. Draining The System
First things first, you’ll need to drain all of the fluid out of the system. This should only be done when the machine is at operating temperature.
2. Installing New Filters
After the system has been entirely drained of all fluid, remove all of the old filters and replace them with new ones.
3. Cleaning
Before you flush your system, ensure it has been thoroughly cleaned. Take an old rag or cloth and wipe all around the inside of all of the cavities, keeping an eye out for any residual sludge, dirt or debris.
4. Filling With Flushing Fluid
Once it’s been drained and cleaned, the flushing fluid can be dispensed into the system. The flushing fluid should ideally be around the same consistency as the system’s regular operating fluid.
You should be using only about 75% as much flushing fluid as you would operating fluid. Let the machine reach its operational heat and ensure the fluid has made its way around the system a few times. Drain this fluid, then replace the filters again.
5. Replacing The Operating Fluid
You many now refill your hydraulic system with its normal operating fluid. Then prime the pump and run the machine on and off in intervals of no more than 5 minutes.
Listen to see if you can hear anything unusual or any evidence of hydraulic system failure. Then run the system for 30 minutes to allow it to fill up with the new fluid.
6. A Final Filter Replacement
After the machine has been running for a while, and the operating temperature has been reached, you can shut down the system and replace the filters for the final time. Again, keep an eye out for any irregularities or cross-contamination. Otherwise, your newly flushed hydraulic system should be good to go.
Keep Your Hydraulic System Happy
Hopefully, you’re now able to successfully flush your own hydraulic system. This will keep it clean and see it operating more effectively for longer.
If you’re in the Derby area and have any more questions about hydraulic system maintenance, or hydraulic systems in general, don’t hesitate to contact us or call 01332 875577.
Our highly skilled team is a leading hydraulic and pneumatic supplier to the midlands area and is available to answer any questions you might have.