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www.hyspecs.co.nz | 0800 497 732
TALK TO THE EXPERTS
Looking to buy Hydraulic
parts or book a hydraulic
service? Talk with one of our
expert hydraulic engineers
on 0800 497 732 to discuss
your requirements.
The Hyspecs website is
available 24/7 so if youve
run out of time during the
day to order that part, you
can always logon after
hours, place the order and
well get it dispatched first
thing the following morning.
1. Check Level of Hydraulic Fluid
Visually test, check and record from sight glass.
Low fluid level in the reservoir can cause a variety of problems; the most common of these
is overheating & vortexing.
Overheating can reduce the serviceable life of all parts of a hydraulic system, including the
oil. Vortexing can allow air to enter the suction lines of a pump, which in turn can result in
rapid deterioration of the components within the system.
Overfull levels can contaminate other systems and when mixed with dust is destructive to
air intakes, breathers and alarms. Changing oil levels can indicate a slow leak, or a ram not
performing to a consistent strike on each operation, or a system being topped up by an
operator masking a possible problem.
2. Check Quality Of Hydraulic Fluid
Visual test, take sample from system and sample from clean source, such as a top up drum
and then compare the two.
Running the wrong type or weight of oil in your system can be destructive. Mixing different
weights of oil can have the same effect as using contaminated oil. Machinery can run fast
or slow, hot or cold.
Contamination can come from air, water or particles.
- Air: in high concentration oil appears milky, light in colour. Air weakens lubricating
strength and can corrode internal parts, including oxidation of the seals.
- Water: in high concentration oil appears milky, lighter in colour. This weakens
lubricating strength and can also cause corrosion to metal parts.
- Particles: heavy items sink in the tank, some contaminates float and others are
suspended. Hard particles accelerate wear of hydraulic components. Heat
changes the structure of oil producing soft particle contamination. These soft
particles can clog filters and cause a valve spool to stick. At the low end of change
it loses its lubricating ability and at the high end can corrode the internals. It is very
difficult to tell low-level heat damage.
A good rule is if you have cooked the system, replace the oil.
3. Check Pressure Control Devices.
Visually check that pressure control devices have not been tampered with. Look
for vibration or pulsation in the pressure line of the pump or motor, with erratic
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machine movement.
Other pressurisation can lead to hose & seal failure; in some cases this can be
sudden, catastrophic and costly. Over pressurisation can lead to costly
mechanical failure in pumps, motors, cylinders and valves.
Running systems at under optimum pressure, while less likely to induce failure,
can cause system to operate less efficiently. Uncontrolled decompression,
thermal expansion or back flow through check valves can cause pressure spikes.

4. Check Equipment is Clean

Build up of dirt and debris can obstruct airflow and cause overheating. Check
around oil reservoir, heat exchange core, fans or pump drive. Leaks can go
32 Crooks Road, undetected on a machine with a build-up of dirt, or small known leaks can mask
East Tamaki, new unknown ones.
P.O.Box 204157, Check that dirt and dust on the machine cannot fall into the system while topping
Highbrook. up fluids, or during general operation.
P + 64 9 274 9985 Check that all breathers are clear, and that hydraulic fluid storage is clean and
F + 64 9 274 4441
well labelled to keep it free from cross-contamination.
www.hyspecs.co.nz
hyspecs@hyspecs.co.nz 5. Check For Leaks And Damaged Hoses
Where fluid leaks out, contamination can get in. Loose fittings and hoses can
cause contamination from air, water or airborne particles. Leaks can lead to low
fluid level. Low-level systems are prone to overheating and internal surfaces and
seals can suffer abrasive wear. Blown hoses and seals can be indicators that the
40 Durham St,
system is not working correctly.
P.O.Box 7493,
Sydenham.
6. Regularly Change Filter on System
P + 64 3 366 1872
Schedule regular filter changes on all hydraulic systems. Change filters at every
F + 64 3 366 1431
oil change, because of thermal degradation. Heat damage on hydraulic fluid
www.hyspecs.co.nz produces soft particles that clog the filter unit rending it useless.
hyspecs@hyspecs.co.nz

Other
When upgrading a component, consider the effect on the rest of the system; will
P + 64 7 378 1082 it still be achieving its primary task? Over-power and under-power can lead to
F + 64 7 378 1083 mechanical failure in other components.
www.hyspecs.co.nz When replacing a component on a system that has an estimated life span,
hyspecs@hyspecs.co.nz consider the option of a short-term repair while building a new system.
Reliability Audit
Once every five or ten years, get a reliability audit done. When your hydraulic
system is working fine, get Hyspecs to look over it, to
HYSPECS
establish if any componentry is obsolete, or has a limited
MELBOURNE expected life. We can establish which pieces of
5 Elliott Road, machinery are worth reconditioning and which are better
P.O.Box 4454, to replace (because of cost involved or changes in
technology). Also, if there is opportunity to simplify and
Dandenong South.
improve efficiency of a system we will be able to tell you.
VIC 3164
For all your Hydraulic Servicing and parts call the
P + 61 3 9305 3477
engineers at Hyspecs 0800 497 732.
F + 61 3 9305 4720
www.hyspecs.com.au
hyspecs@hyspecs.com.au