3-15
CARE OF HYDRAULIC OIL
The hydraulic system contains many precision, highly pressurized components. To protect
these, it is very important to keep the hydraulic oil clean, at proper temperature, within the
oil specification and to the proper fill level.
The RT-300 is equipped with a 100-mesh suction strainer, a breather filter and a 10-
micron, return-line filter on a 70-gallon (265 L) tank. The filter must be changed after the
first 100 engine hours to eliminate the contaminants generated during run-in. Thereafter, it
is to be changed at every 500 hour maintenance interval.
The filter is located in the return line near the tank. Clean the filter and the surrounding
parts with pressure washer before changing, to prevent dirt from falling into the clean oil
tube. To minimize oil loss, close the shutoff valves near the filter. Be sure shutoff valves
are fully opened before starting engine.
Remove the filter element and catch the hydraulic oil in a clean container. Lubricate the
new element seal and install the new element. Open the shutoff valves. Run the engine
and check for any leaking around the seal.
Pour the remaining oil out of the old element into the clean container and inspect the oil for
water and excessive contaminants. If water is found, the oil should be changed in the
reservoir and purged out of the cylinders. If excessive particles are found, the source
should be located and fixed, and the oil should be purged.
The hydraulic oil should be changed every 1000 hours or once a year, whichever is
sooner. Wash the oil tank and filter before changing the oil. Retract the crowd, topping
and outrigger cylinders. Leave the shutoff valves open behind the tank and remove the
drain plug. Catch the oil and dispose of it properly.
Remove the cleanout cover on top of the tank and take out the suction strainer that is
below the cleanout and near the bottom. It is threaded onto a pipe nipple at the suction
port. Clean the strainer with solvent and compressed air and reinstall it. Disassemble the
breather element on top of the tank and clean it with solvent and compressed air. Clean
out the tank with solvent and compressed air. Clean the cleanout cover, seal, and the plug
and reinstall them.
Replace the return-line filter as described previously and refill the tank with new hydraulic
oil that meets the specifications in the table below. Start the engine and run it at low idle
for 15 minutes to filter the new oil. Then cycle all of the hydraulic cylinders at low idle and
low pressure. Add hydraulic oil, if necessary, with cylinders retracted.
Courtesy of Crane.Market
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