SP000016General Maintenance Procedures
Page 10
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
CLEANLINESS AND OIL LEAKS
Maintenance Precautions for Hydraulic
System Service
Whenever maintenance, repairs or any other type of
troubleshooting or service is being performed, it's important to
remember that the hydraulic system - including both the interior
and exterior surfaces of assemblies, and every drop of operating
fluid - must be protected from contamination.
Dust and other foreign contaminants are major contributors to
premature wear in hydraulic circuits. The narrow tolerances,
rapidly moving parts and high operating pressures of the system
require that fluid be kept as clean as possible. The performance
and dependability of the machine (and the service lift of
individual components) can be noticeably reduced if proper
precautions are not observed:
• Use a safe, noncombustible, evaporative type, low-
residue solvent and thoroughly clean exterior
surfaces of assemblies before any part of the circuit is
opened up or disassembled.
NOTE: It's just as important to clean the cap and
reservoir top before routine fluid changes
or quick checks as it is before major
repairs. (Accumulated dirt attracts
moisture, oil and other fluids - and more
dirt.)
• Keep dismantled parts covered during disassembly.
Use clean caps, plugs or tape to protect the
disconnected openings of flanges, manifolds and
piping.
• Do not allow cleaning solvents or other fluids to mix
with the oil in the system. Use clean oil to flush any
traces of solvent or other residue before reassembly.
• If metal or rubber fragments are found in the system,
flush and replace all fluid in the system and
troubleshoot the circuit to identify the source of
contamination.
IMPORTANT
Make sure that cleaning solvents will be compatible with
rubber materials used in the hydraulic system. Many
petroleum based compounds can cause swelling,
softening, or other deterioration of system sealing
elements, such as O-rings, caps and other seals.
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