Factors to Consider When Choosing Hydraulic Oil for Your Ute Crane
Do you own a Ute crane for purposes of offloading and loading construction materials at the construction site? If you do, then the Ute crane will need some form of lubrication to prolong its useful life depending on the type of work you subject it. However, it is critical for you to realise that any hydraulic fluid will not do the trick. While most hydraulic fluids will work for most hydraulic systems, you are advised to use a particular fluid that is best suited for your crane. In this regard, the following are factors to put into consideration when choosing a hydraulic fluid for your Ute crane.
Viscosity -- This is the single most important factor to consider when choosing a hydraulic fluid. If the viscosity does not match the operating temperature of your Ute crane, then it does not matter how good the fluid is. It simply will not do your crane any good. Therefore, you should make sure that you know the temperatures range within which the Ute crane will be operating. For example, if the Ute crane will be operating within a narrow temperature range, then you are better off using a monograde oil. However, if the crane will be operating in environments where temperatures fall below zero degrees, then you should go for multigrade oil. Further, multigrade oils maintain viscosity within a broad operational range. This lowers power consumption of the Ute crane. Consequently, this leads to low fuel consumption.
Anti-wear Additives -- To protect your crane's hydraulic system, you need to ensure that the hydraulic oil you buy has anti-wear additives. Anti-wear additives work to enhance the lubrication process. However, since some anti-wear additives are corrosive and may chemically damage or attack some types of metals used on the crane, you should be careful when choosing hydraulic oil for your equipment. For example, you should purchase a hydraulic fluid with additives that have been stabilised. A stable additive will prolong the useful life of the hydraulic system of your Ute crane.
Detergent Oils -- Choosing detergent oils as your hydraulic fluid has an advantage in that they can disperse and suspend contaminants – varnish and sludge – in your crane's hydraulic system. Additionally, detergent oils are suitable in mobile hydraulic systems because contaminants do not get an opportunity to settle. In such a case, the hydraulic system in your crane is kept free of deposits – thereby making it work more effectively.
