Choosing the right hydraulic oil starts with understanding your equipment and how you use it. The following items can all determine which product is best suited for your hydraulic system:
Using the right oil can help your equipment operate efficiently and protect important components from unnecessary wear. Here’s what to consider before making your selection.
Your equipment manufacturer has already done much of the homework for you. Start by checking the owner’s manual for the recommended hydraulic fluid specifications, including the appropriate viscosity grade and any required performance standards.
Following these recommendations helps ensure the oil is compatible with the pumps, valves and other components that make up your hydraulic system.
Don’t treat those recommendations as interchangeable. Using a product that doesn’t meet the required specifications can affect lubrication, system performance and the protection provided to critical components.
Viscosity describes a fluid’s resistance to flow. Your hydraulic oil needs to be thick enough to maintain proper lubrication and protection but fluid enough to move efficiently through the system.
Hydraulic oils are commonly classified using ISO viscosity grades, such as ISO VG 32, 46 and 68. The correct grade depends on your equipment and operating conditions, which is why the manufacturer’s specifications should always be considered when making your selection.
Hydraulic oil doesn’t perform exactly the same way at every temperature. Cold weather thickens the oil, while higher temperatures cause it to become thinner.
For businesses operating equipment outdoors in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, seasonal temperature changes may be an important consideration when selecting hydraulic oil.
Think beyond the equipment itself and consider how it is actually being used. Is it operating under heavy loads? Is it exposed to moisture or contaminants? Does it run continuously for long periods?
Those conditions can affect the demands placed on hydraulic oil. Selecting a lubricant suited to the application can help maintain performance while protecting hydraulic components from premature wear.
Using the wrong hydraulic oil can contribute to inefficient operation, increased component wear and potentially shorter equipment life.
With so many products, viscosity grades and applications to consider, choosing hydraulic oil can get complicated. Hutchens Petroleum trains and certifies its employees in industrial lubricants, giving commercial and industrial customers access to knowledgeable support when selecting products.
Whether you operate equipment in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina or Tennessee, our team can help you evaluate your needs and select the right hydraulic oil for your specific application.
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