CONVERTING TO OILTECH THICKENED HIGH WATER BASED FLUID -
HYDRATECH 2000 IS EASY!
Regardless of the type of hydraulic fluid being used, converting a system to thickened high water based hydraulic fluid is easy.
If changing seals is necessary, equipment manufacturers can recommend what weals to change, and many carry a supply of correct seals.
1. Drain the old fluid from the system completely. Particular attention should be
paid to the reservoir, fluid lines, cylinders, accumulators, filters and other equipment where residual fluid may be trapped.
2. Clean the system of residual sludge and deposits and ensure that internally painted surfaces are compatible with HYDRATECH 2000. Cleaning the entire
system can be greatly simplified by the use of suitable pre-cleaner compounds. A
range of dislodging and disinfectant “in use” system pre-cleaners are available
from OILTECH. These products are added to the old system fill and the system operated normally for 8-12 hours prior to draining. For more information consult
your OILTECH engineer.
3. Examine pump parts, o-ring and auxiliary equipment. Worn pump parts should be
replaced. Leaking pipe joints should be repaired and deteriorated gaskets, seals
and packings should be replaced in order to minimise mechanical fluid losses. Cork shaft seals should be replaced if they are present in the system.
4. Remove or disconnect the filters.
5. Using a minimum quality of HYDRATECH 2000, flush initially by operating at no
load or at minimum pressure, then bring the fluid up to normal temperature and operate all parts. Many users follow the practice of operating on the flush fill for
several hours in order to ensure complete circulation. Systems previously filled
with phosphate ester fluid should be flushed with mineral oil before proceeding as
above.
6. Drain the flushing charge as completely as possible while it is still warm and
without allowing it to settle. This fluid can be retained for further use after
suspended solids have settled and residual petroleum oil has separated. With proper attention to removal of suspended contaminants, the flushing fluid can be
used in preparing other machines for service.
7. Install clean filters and strainers.
8. Fill the system with HYDRATECH 2000.
9. Operate at no load until all air has been bled from the system, then bring up to
standard operating conditions.
During the first few weeks of operation, particular attention should be paid to the
filters and inlet screens. They maybe come clogged by sludge and deposits that have been loosened by the cleaning action of HYDRATECH 2000. Such blockages
may cause pump starvation, noisy operation and high pump wear.