7
Cleanliness
Thorough precautions should always be
observed to insure the hydraulic system is
clean:
1. Clean (flush) entire new system to
remove paint, metal chips, welding
shot, etc.
2. Filter each change of oil to prevent
introduction of contaminants into the
system.
3. Provide continuous oil filtration to
remove sludge and products of wear
and corrosion generated during the
life of the system.
4. Provide continuous protection of
system from entry of airborne
contamination by sealing the system
and/or by proper filtration of the air.
5. During usage, proper oil filling and
servicing of filter, breathers, reservoirs,
etc., cannot be over emphasized.
6. Thorough precautions should be taken
by proper system and reservoir
design, to insure that aeration of the
oil will be kept to a minimum.
Vickers supports and recommends the
hydraulic Systems Standards for
Stationary Industrial Machinery
advanced by the American National
Standards Institute; ANSI/(NFPA/JIC)
T2.24.1–1991. Key elements of this
Standard as well as other vital
information on the correct methods for
treating hydraulic fluid are included in
Vickers publication #561; “Vickers Guide
to Systemic Contamination Control,”
available from your local Vickers
distributor or by contacting Vickers.
Recommendations on filtration and the
selection of products to control fluid
condition are included in this publication.
Sound Level
Noise is only indirectly affected by the
fluid selection, but the condition of the
fluid is of paramount importance in
obtaining optimum reduction of system
sound levels.
Some of the major factors affecting the
fluid conditions that cause the loudest
noises in a hydraulic system are:
1. Very high viscosities at start–up
temperature can cause pump noises
due to cavitation.
2. Running with a moderately high
viscosity fluid will slow the release of
air captured in the fluid. The fluid will
not be completely purged of such air
in the time it remains in the reservoir
before recycling through the system.
3. Aerated fluid can be caused by
ingestion of air through the pipe
joints of inlet lines, high velocity
discharge lines, cylinder rod
packings or by fluid discharging
above the fluid level in the reservoir.
Air in the fluid causes a noise similar
to cavitation.
Hydraulic Fluid
Recommendations
Oil in a hydraulic system performs the
dual function of lubrication and
transmission of power. It constitutes a
vital factor in a hydraulic system, and
careful selection of it should be made
with the assistance of a reputable
supplier. Proper selection of oil assures
satisfactory life and operation of system
components with particular emphasis on
hydraulic pumps. Any oil selected for
use with pumps is acceptable for use
with valves, cylinders or motors.
Order literature #694 for oil selection
recommendations.
Adding Fluid to the System
When hydraulic fluid is added to the
system, it should be pumped through a
10 micron absolute filter. The use of a
Vickers Clean Cart portable filtering
transfer unit to filter clean fluid into the
system is recommended. For further
information on the Clean Cart transfer
unit, obtain service drawing #601.
It is important that the fluid be kept clean
and free from any substance that may
cause improper operation or wear to the
cylinder, pump and other hydraulic
units. Therefore, the use of cloth to
strain the fluid should be avoided to
prevent lint from entering the system.
Replacement Parts
Reliable operation throughout the
specified operating range is assured
only if genuine Vickers parts are used.
Sophisticated design processes and
materials are used in the manufacture of
our parts. Substitutes may result in early
failure.
Product Life
The service life of these products is
dependent on environment, duty cycle,
operating parameters and system
cleanliness. Since these parameters
vary from application to application, the
ultimate user must determine and
establish the periodic maintenance
required to maximize life and detect
potential component problems.
Fluids
Proper fluid condition is essential for
long and satisfactory life of hydraulic
components and systems. Hydraulic
fluid must have the correct balance of
cleanliness, materials and additives for
protection against wear of components,
elevated viscosity and inclusion of air.
Essential information on the correct
methods for treating hydraulic fluid is
included in Vickers publication 561;
“Vickers Guide to Systemic
Contamination control,” available from
your local Vickers distributor or by
contacting Vickers, Incorporated.
Recommendation of filtration and the
selection of products to control fluid
condition are included in #561.
Recommended cleanliness levels using
petroleum oil under common conditions
is based on the highest fluid pressure
levels in the system.
Fluids other than petroleum, severe
service cycles or temperature extremes
are cause for adjustment of these
cleanliness codes. See Vickers
Publication 561 for exact details.
System Pressure Level
Product
1000
2000
3000+
psi
psi
psi
Cylinders 20/18/15
20/18/15 20/18/15
