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Hydraulic Oils

Hydraulic oil

What is hydraulic oil? Hydraulic oil is a non-compressible fluid that is used to transfer power within hydraulic machinery and equipment. Otherwise known as hydraulic fluid, hydraulic oil can be synthetic- or mineral-based. At Crown Oil, as a hydraulic oil supplier, we deal with 99% of mineral-based hydraulic oils.

At Crown Oil, as a hydraulic oil supplier, we deal with 99% of mineral-based hydraulic oils. Although this useful fluid is commonly used in the transfer of power, hydraulic fluid can act as a sealant, coolant and lubricant within machinery and equipment.



The main difference between synthetic and mineral based hydraulic oil

The majority of oils which are produced are either mineral based or synthetic. Mineral based hydraulic oils are derived from crude oil fractions whereas synthetic hydraulic oils are made using chemically produced base fluids.

Synthetic oils can be formulated to impart superior physical properties in comparison to mineral oils, for example high temperature performance, biodegradability and oxidation stability.

How do hydraulic systems work?

The key role of hydraulic oil in a hydraulic system is to transfer power from one end of that system to another end through and the various hydraulic components. When an external force is applied to the non-compressible hydraulic fluid – usually from a piston within a cylinder – the oil is pushed through the hydraulic system and ultimately produces a force on another part of the system. This results in a movement or action.
Usually applying force to material results in compression, so you may be wondering whether hydraulic oil is compressible or not, but a key property of hydraulic fluids is that they must be non-compressible. ‘Non-compressible’ means that the fluid cannot be compressed. Liquids are compressible to some degree, but it is incredibly negligible and not considered for our guide. In contrast, gases are compressible, and so are not used in hydraulics.

What is hydraulic oil used for?

Hydraulic fluids are used in many applications across every industry. To give you an idea of the vast array of uses for hydraulic fluid and why industrial hydraulic oil is so important, here are 10 examples of equipment and machinery which use hydraulic oil:

  • Forklift Trucks – The hydraulic system within forklift trucks and stackers is important to help power the incredibly strong forks which need to lift some super-heavy goods.
  • Log Splitters – The ram mechanism on a hydraulic oil log splitter requires hydraulic fluid inside to give it that immense power which can split logs with ease. Log splitters are also known as wood splitters!
  • Automotive Lifts – Car lifts (car jacks, automotive lifts, etc.) require hydraulic jack oil to aid their impressive power range! This type of machinery depends heavily on reliable hydraulic oil for safety as well as performance. Hydraulic fluid for a car lift tends to have a higher viscosity grade for high pressure.
  • Wright Standers – A wright stander is a stand on mower which is usually well-suited to cemeteries and other restrictive grassy areas. The hydraulic part of these machines requires hydraulic oil for power.
  • Snow Ploughs (Snow Plows) – Hydraulic oil for a snow plough and ploughing equipment is essential in the powerful operation of the hydraulic lift, tilt and angle movements of the snow plough blade. The cold weather conditions associated with the use of a plough means that the hydraulic fluid used in a snow plough will be blended with antifreeze additives.
  • Skid Steers (Skid-steer Loader and Skidsteer) – Skid steer hydraulic oil is as versatile as the machine it works with. For the many tasks this machine can competently complete, hydraulic oil plays a big role at all times.
  • Aircraft (aviation) – In the aviation sector, it is essential that aircraft hydraulic oil is reliable as it is used for aviation control systems, aircraft hangar doors, aircraft jacks and aircraft controls.
  • Air Tools – Air tools and air compressors require high-pressure hydraulic oil which contains anti-wear additives for protection.
  • Tractors – Tractor hydraulic oil is necessary for the operation of hydraulic brakes and hydraulic systems on agricultural vehicles and machinery. For your hydraulic oil tractor supply, you may want to use a reputable manufacturer to ensure your expensive machinery and vehicles are well looked after and protected.
  • Cruise Ships and the Marine Industry – If you’ve been lucky enough to go on a cruise ship then you’ll have felt the comforts out at sea. Hydraulic oil is used aboard many marine vessels for the stabilisers. The stabilisers reduce the amount of roll, which can affect the ship’s balance and cause you to experience unfriendly sea-motion sickness. This is just one of the many other applications on marine vessels which require hydraulic oil.

Hydraulic fluid properties

The properties and characteristics of any hydraulic oil are vitally important to the capability of your hydraulic system to work within the operating conditions you need to use it in. This is especially true of industrial or commercial hydraulic oils. So, for a hydraulic oil to be useful it needs to have the below properties:

  • Non-compressible
  • Thermally stable, within a range of operating temperatures
  • Fire resistance
  • Non-corrosive to its system
  • Anti-wearing to its system
  • Low tendency to cavitate
  • Tolerance to water (resistance to water contamination)
  • Constant viscosity, regardless of temperature

The contents of hydraulic oil

Hydraulic oil is made from a variety of different ingredients, with one base fluid. These ingredients can often be mixed depending on the type of oil you require.

  • Mineral oil
  • Esters
  • Glycol
  • Silicone
  • Ethers
  • Esters
  • Some other chemicals which are hard to pronounce!

Hydraulic oil additives

Depending on how you use our hydraulic oil, there will be extra additives which help it perform under different conditions. Different hydraulic fluid additives include:

  • Anti-wear – helps prolong the life of equipment and machinery, you’ll see this on AW-type hydraulic fluids.
  • Cold Flow – additives that enable usage in extreme cold weather conditions
  • Anti-foaming – An anti-foaming agent for hydraulic oil reduces foaming within the fluid which can be caused by detergents. This foaming can reduce the lubricating quality of the product, thus causing damage.
  • Anti-oxidant – Allows for longer periods of use without an oil change while also reducing sludge deposits.
  • Anti-rust – Forms a protective coating which reduces the risk of rust damage from oxygen contact.
  • These additives are used on their own and together in different blends which are created for different purposes. Hydraulic oil properties can be altered depending on which additives are used, but the typical characteristics tend to be a high viscosity index and be incompressible.
  • Below is a list of common uses for hydraulic oil and the type of additive/s which may be added to the oil to help it perform at its optimum level.

Hydraulic oil for winter

Hydraulic power is required in some of the coldest places on earth. In these cases, anti-freeze additives are used to prevent the fluid from freezing up or waxing. Low-temperature hydraulic oil is commonly used as a name for fluid which needs to be used in icy conditions.

Hydraulic oil for high-heat applications

Under high heat, oil becomes less viscous and flows easier, which means that it can leak or lose its required properties. Additives are used to retain viscosity for fluids used in applications involving exposure to higher temperatures.

Hydraulic oil for heavy-duty use

Heavy-duty hydraulic oil is necessary for high-pressure environments where the fluid needs to be able to cope with large amounts of stress. The hydraulic oil additives used here will typically contain anti-wear properties. Anti-wear hydraulic oil is one of the most common blends used in industry and construction.

Environmentally-friendly hydraulic oil

Biodegradable hydraulic oil is used in applications where an oil spill or leak could potentially contaminate the environment. The typical base oil for biodegradable versions of hydraulic oil include rapeseed oil and some other vegetable oils. Environmental hydraulic oil is a strong consideration for those using hydraulic machinery on farms, forests or similar environmentally sensitive sites. This is because the oil is made of a biodegradable base fluid, and so it will degrade naturally in the event of a spill.

Hydraulic oil ratings

When an additive company sells an additive pack, they will work alongside a particular manufacturer to create a product which works perfectly with that manufacturer’s application. This will be traceable by a hydraulic oil supplier who has used the additive in the fluid. Hydraulic oil ratings or approvals are stipulated by many end users of oil to ensure they’re using the correct fluid for their equipment.

Hydraulic oil analysis

Commonly known as condition monitoring, a hydraulic oil analysis service is used by people who want the most out of their oil before they have to change it in their hydraulic application.
This works by sending a sample of the hydraulic oil to a lab which analyses the sample and reports back with details as to whether it’s good to use further or if it needs to be changed. This gives the end user reassurance that it is still usable and no damage can be done to expensive equipment due to dirty or worn oil.

Why is hydraulic oil analysis important?

The importance of oil analysis should be high on anybody’s list. Below is a list of just a few reasons why it shouldn’t be ignored and how it pays for itself many times over:

  • Reduces the cost involved in replacing the oil prematurely.
  • Minimises damage to your machinery by identifying issues early.
  • Has the potential to enhance the life and performance of machinery.
  • Reduces the risk of damage to machinery and products.
  • Reduces the risk of injury to people and further costs in claims and damages.

Hydraulic Oil AW 68

ISO 32, 46, and 68 are most commonly used for hydraulics with vane-, piston-, or gear-type pumps, especially where pressures exceed 1000 psi. They can also be used to lubricate lightly loaded reciprocating compressors and as general purpose shop lubricants for motors and bearings.

Hydraulic Oil AW 32

Sinopec Anti-wear Hydraulic Oil ISO VG AW32 is a premium light weight paraffinic based hydraulic oil, ideal for industrial applications or for the hydraulic systems in cold weather regions. It is a rust and oxidation (R&O)-inhibited oil with the added benefit of an anti-wear additive package for protection.

H.L.P 68

HLP are the code letters of the hydraulic fluid, which are defined in DIN 51524-2. These are hydraulic oils with anti-ageing and anti-corrosion additives as well as active agents for reducing friction and wear. 46 describes the kinematic viscosity of the hydraulic oil (in mm²/s) at 40 °C.

H.L.P 32

A premium quality Hydraulic oil formulated from solvent refined mineral base oils with additives to provide excellent protection against oxidation, corrosion, wear and foaming. This hydraulic oil is blended to ISO 32 viscosity grade requirements and is suitable for use in a wide range of mobile and static hydraulic equipment including forklifts, excavators, lifts, presses, injection moulders etc, where the use of an ISO 32 grade hydraulic oil is specified.

H.L.P 46

The hydraulic oil HLP 46 is used as pressure fluid in industrial and mobile hydraulic systems. ... These are hydraulic oils with anti-ageing and anti-corrosion additives as well as active agents for reducing friction and wear. 46 describes the kinematic viscosity of the hydraulic oil (in mm²/s) at 40 °C.

APPROVALS:

Hydrauliköl SEB 181 222 HLP 46

Hydrauliköl DIN 51524 Teil 2 HLP 46

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