Though industrial lubricants are widely recognised as essential for optimising and maintaining industrial equipment, hydraulic oils – also known as hydraulic fluids – differ from other types of lubrication by serving multiple functions on hydraulic applications.
Multi-functional by design
The distinction between a standard oil lubricant and a hydraulic oil is that beyond the basic function of providing lubrication and protection for componentry against the ingress of contaminants and corrosion; hydraulic oils also serve as a medium for power transmission.
Much like an electrical cable, hydraulic oil transfers power from the hydraulic pump motor to the hydraulic ram via a control valve. The hydraulic oil has a multi-faceted role to transfer the power, cool, seal and lubricant the systems components to ensure reliable operation of drivetrains and hydraulic systems. Transfer of heat and expelling entrapped air are a major function of hydraulic lubricants.
In essence, a good quality hydraulic oil will fulfill all these purposes and functions to effectively optimise the performance of a hydraulic system. Take it a step further and an exceptional quality hydraulic oil should improve the efficiency and ultimately, extend the life of equipment.
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