How to Cool Hydraulic Fluid
Keeping your hydraulic fluid, or oil, cool is imperative to maintaining a healthy system. Reaching temperatures over 200° F inhibits the additives from performing correctly. This can result in corrosion, silting and oxidation of the components. This, in turn, usually results in the fluid needing to be replaced. Cooling the fluid is primarily the responsibility of the reservoir and the heat exchanger. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that these units are doing their job as efficiently as possible.
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Instructions
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Drain the hydraulic fluid out of the system. Unscrew the cap on the bottom of the tank, and allow the oil to drain into a large plastic container. Make sure the system is off and is completely cool before beginning.
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Check the status of reservoir. The rigid baffles on the wall are designed to maximize the surface area that will absorb the heat. If there is residue or sediment caking or clogging the baffles, the amount of heat being absorbed will not be sufficient for your system. Clean out the baffles with a wire brush.
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Examine the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger should resemble a radiator of sorts, with criss-crossed tubing connected to aluminum fins. If the fins are constricted, then heat transfer will be reduced, raising the temperature of the fluid. Manually space the fins out if necessary. Depending on the type of heat exchanger you have, the amount of necessary space may vary. Locate the model number and consult an expert at a parts store for information on your specific exchanger. As a rule, none of the fins should be touching each other.
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Tips & Warnings
If these methods are not reducing the temperature in your system's fluids, then some equipment may be faulty and need to be replaced. You may choose to replace your reservoir with a larger one (to increase air flow), but this is usually only an option if you are not operating mobile equipment. Because of size and weight restrictions for transportable systems, it is highly recommended that a larger heat exchanger be used instead.
