15
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Oil Temperature and Duty Cycle Information
Heat is the enemy of every hydraulic system. Every
hydraulic system is susceptible to overheating, even
when operating in subzero temperatures.
While every precaution has been taken to ensure a
reliable system, the operator still has a responsibility
to operate the system within the design limits.
IMPORTANT:
The maximum allowable oil
temperature is 180°F (82°C).
Above this limit, the oil viscosity can be reduced to the
point where it will not lubricate the pump and gearbox
sufficiently, leading to system failure.
The oil temperature is a function of the amount of time
the system is work
ing, versus the “rest” time (running
but not working). The ratio of work time compared to
total run time is called the duty cycle.
Example:
A machine with a duty cycle of 70% is
meant to work 7 minutes out of every 10 minutes run.
The duty cycle for the HP15 is more than the HP24
because it is pumping a smaller volume of oil and the
oil has more time to cool. The following duty cycles
only apply to systems not equipped with the optional
cooler, and in ambient air temperatures from 0°F to
40°F (-18°C to 4°C).
HP15
– 70% duty cycle maximum
HP20
– 60% duty cycle maximum
HP24
– 50% duty cycle maximum
Even with the optional hydraulic cooler installed, it is
recommended to monitor the oil temperature to
ensure that it is not overheating. An infrared
thermometer (like the one pictured) can be purchased
to measure the tank temperature.
Things to DO while operating:
Monitor the system for leaks.
Monitor the cooler harness LED (if equipped) to
ensure that the fan is operating.
Monitor the system temperature if the cooler LED
light stays lit continuously.
Make sure the cooler is free of dirt and debris for
maximum cooling capacity.
Things to AVOID while operating:
Prolonged stalling of the attachment.
Operating for extended periods of time at
maximum power (such as when trenching).
Operating with the cooler fan harness
disconnected.
Operating the power unit with a low oil level.