By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor This is part 6 in this series on hydraulic oil analysis, and if you’ve missed any of the previous issues, you can find them here — part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5. I’ve covered everything from viscosity to water saturation already, and we’re not done […]

Chevron has introduced its Clarity Bio EliteSyn AW, a hydraulic fluid designed to meet the evolving needs of the marine and construction industries while championing environmental stewardship. As governments worldwide tighten regulations to protect our planet, Chevron remains at the forefront of introducing new options to support those initiatives, launching Clarity Bio EliteSyn AW as […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In part 5 of this series covering hydraulic oil analysis, we move on to discuss acidity. As it pertains to hydraulic oil, we need to know the total amount of acidic substances found within the sample. Most commonly referred to as the Total Acid Number, or TAN for short, the […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor In Part 4 of the hydraulic oil analysis series, we will tackle one of the most essential qualities of hydraulic oil you must test and understand. Particle contamination, for example, may take months or years to erode critical components to the point of failure, but water infiltrating your pumps, valves, […]

Femco has released a new series of drain plugs and clickers — The Non-Drip system, which was specifically created to rapidly drain and refill oil from vehicles or machines without leaving any residue afterwards. This is a game changer for industries that demand a safe and clean work environment (for example: trucking, construction, mining or […]

Last month, we discussed how vital an oil analysis program is for the reliability of your hydraulically powered machinery. This article is the second in the series where I discuss the many important qualities a competent oil analysis lab can identify for you. Oil viscosity is a primary driver in the oil selection process and […]

This article is the first in our series on hydraulic oil analysis programs. Hydraulic oil is the lifeblood of your hydraulic system, circulating primarily as a power transmission medium but also acting to lubricate, cool, seal and help remove contamination. Without oil, your hydraulic system is just a comatose pneumatic system, lying lifeless with no […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Forever. It should last forever. Thanks for reading, and come back next week for more YouTube Shorts. I kid, of course, although there is always truth in comedy because you should treat your oil as your forever fluid. Of course, simply showering your hydraulic fluid with love will not guarantee […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic systems are the workhorses of many industries, powering everything from heavy machinery to manufacturing equipment. The lifeblood of these machines is hydraulic oil, which transmits power, dissipates heat, carries away contamination and lubricates components. However, just like any other fluid-based system, hydraulic systems are susceptible to unique issues, including […]

The global shipping and marine industry is, like all industries, pursuing new ways to become more environmentally friendly. The use of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) can make a major impact in that push. By Joshua Dickstein, Ph.D., Technology Development Manager, The Lubrizol Corporation Industries around the world are making sustained efforts to better protect the […]

AMSOIL has launched new Commercial-Grade Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil for hard-working agricultural and commercial equipment. It delivers exceptional value for customers seeking an upgrade over conventional and synthetic-blend oils. Formulated with greater than 50% synthetic content and high-performance additives, AMSOIL Commercial-Grade Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil minimizes viscosity change and provides outstanding wear protection. It features anti-wear additives […]

Bio-Hydraulic Fluids, Bio-Ultimax 1000, from Renewable Lubricants, are ultimately biodegradable vegetable based formulas that replace mineral oil based hydraulic fluids. Bio-Ultimax hydraulic fluids are formulated to perform in hydraulic systems that require Anti-Wear (AW), anti-rust, anti-oxidation, anti-foam, and demulsibility properties. They are highly inhibited against moisture and rusting in both fresh and sea water and […]

Hydro-Safe presents patented Hydro-Safe premium hydraulic fluid, readily biodegradable biosynthetic formulas which provide high performance in a wide variety of stationary and transportation equipment including elevators. Available in ISO 32, 46, and 68 weight formulas; the VG-32 formulation is Otis Elevator approved and is ideal for elevators that operate in broad ranges of environmental conditions. […]

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Hydraulic systems play a critical role in various industries, powering heavy machinery and equipment with precision and efficiency. The performance and longevity of these systems heavily rely on the cleanliness and quality of the hydraulic fluid. Contamination in hydraulic fluid can cause significant damage to the system, resulting in reduced […]

Tiny particulates in lubricants that are invisible to the naked eye can have costly consequences in hydraulic systems. By Zach Sutton, Chevron Lubricants Industrial & Services Sector Specialist In the world of mechanical maintenance, machinery breakdowns are a reality. Mechanical wear occurs constantly, and moving parts erode in quality over time. According to a study from […]

Hydraulic fluid cleanliness is crucial for hydraulic systems’ reliable operation and longevity. However, while filtration is critical in keeping hydraulic fluid clean, it is not the only factor that impacts fluid cleanliness. This article will discuss some tips to ensure hydraulic fluid cleanliness aside from the obvious filtration itself. One of the most important steps […]

Too often, manufacturers treat hydraulic fluids as commodities instead of critical system components. But with rising costs and the need for optimization, fluid cleanliness and efficiency should be top of mind. At IFPE 2023, Zach Sutton, Chevron Lubricants Industrial & Services Sector Specialist, shared insights with Fluid Power World on how Chevron is taking the…

Petro-Canada Lubricants, an HF Sinclair brand, has launched Produro TO-4+ UHP, a multi-purpose synthetic all-season transmission, hydraulic, drive line and wet brake fluid for heavy-duty mobile equipment that increases equipment productivity and decreases operating costs. It can deliver up to a 6% equipment life increase for applicable mining and construction equipment Developed to improve the […]

Petro-Canada Lubricants, an HF Sinclair brand, has launched PRODURO TO-4+ UHP, a multi-purpose synthetic all-season transmission, hydraulic, drive line, and wet brake fluid for heavy-duty mobile equipment that increases equipment productivity and decreases operating costs. Developed to improve the performance of mining and construction equipment operating in extreme conditions, PRODURO TO-4+ UHP maximizes durability and…

By Shaun Skilton, Product Manager; Andrew Baldwin, Engineering Manager; and Marc Williams, IoT Market Sales Manager, Parker Hannifin Industry statistics show that a whopping 80% of hydraulic system failures are due to contamination. In many of these cases, undetected contaminants of various forms have clogged, blocked, or otherwise damaged fragile hydraulic system components. The result […]

Today’s hydraulic fluids are forced to operate in hotter environments. But the right formulation can help reliably moderate temperatures, creating significant operational benefits for end users. By Blayne McKenzie, Technology Development Manager, Industrial Products, The Lubrizol Corp. Mobile and stationary hydraulic systems have gone through major changes in recent years. Widespread efforts toward higher efficiency […]

IFPE conference programming will take in-depth looks at fluid cleanliness and life to ensure sustainable, efficient systems. As noted in my FluidLines column, both IFPE and CONEXPO-CON/AGG have a special focus on sustainability throughout the show floor and conference program. Several sessions will take looks at digitalization, electrification, and autonomy as solutions to creating more […]

Denios has introduced the SpillGuard leak recognition system, which instantly alerts users when a leak is detected. This unique, FM-approved technology is placed within the sump of a spill containment device, or near the equipment to be monitored, and alerts users with an audible and visual alarm for a minimum of 24 hours when contact…

By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor Nobody’s perfect – I certainly am not. It takes a level of self-awareness to admit you’re not perfect but exponentially more self-awareness to do something about it. Try as I might with my nutritional plan; I regularly fall short of perfection. But even if perfect was possible to manifest, even…

Wholly-owned subsidiaries of Shell plc in Switzerland, the UK, US and Sweden (Shell (Switzerland) AG, Shell U.K. Limited, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and Shell Aviation Sweden AB) have entered into agreements to acquire the Environmentally Considerate Lubricants (ECLs) business of the Panolin Group. The transaction includes the PANOLIN brand, ECL product formulations, intellectual property, technical expertise […]