To add hydraulic oil, and not the dirt, always filter new oil prior to use in a hydraulic system. This can be done in a number of ways. The most common way is to use a filtration cart or kidney loop filter in your reservoir. Schroeder makes an exceptional filter cart that can not only remove dirt particulates from new oil, but also water, if needed. Carts like these offer great value for your investment, as they range from relatively low cost to expensive, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Also, if you are already running Schroeder mobile filtration on your machine, then there is a good chance you can use the same filter element that you already use, thus reducing inventory parts.
Another way to pre-filter your hydraulic oil is by pumping the oil into the hydraulic reservoir through the system’s return filter. The easiest way to do this is to install a tee in the return line and attach a quick-connector to the branch of this tee. Attach the other half of the quick-connector to the discharge hose of a drum pump. When hydraulic oil needs to be added to the reservoir, the drum pump is coupled to the return line and the oil is pumped into the reservoir through the return filter. Benefits of this method include reduced spills and prevention of ingress of external contamination.
While many people don’t even think about filtering new oil, it is very important to get clean oil into the system. It is much easier to prevent dirt from getting into a system by using precautionary measures than it is to remove dirt from a hydraulic system. Once the dirt has ingressed, it is very difficult to get the system clean.
