In this and your next few hydraulic maintenance emails,
I'm going to explode five popular myths.
Now, you may believe one or more of these to be true.
So what I have to say will likely challenge your thinking
on these issues. But all I ask is you keep an open mind.
With that said, here's the first untruth...
Myth #1. Hydraulic pump inlet lines must have a strainer.
A pump inlet or suction strainer is a 140 micron, mesh screen
which is screwed onto the pump intake penetration inside the
hydraulic reservoir.
These stainers increase the chances of cavitation occurring
in the intake line and subsequent damage to, and failure of
the hydraulic pump. Piston-type pumps are particularly vulnerable.
If the reservoir starts out clean and all fluid returning
to the reservoir is filtered, inlet strainers are not required
since the hydraulic fluid will not contain particles large enough
to be captured by a coarse mesh screen.
The main argument for istalling suction strainers is to protect
the pump from debris that enter the reservoir as a result of
careless maintenance practices.
Fact is, nuts, bolts, tools and similar debris pose minimal threat
to the pump in a properly designed reservoir, where the pump intake
is located a minimum of four inches off the bottom.
When you consider the damage that vacuum-induced cavitation can
cause to a hydraulic pump, NOT installing a suction strainer is
definitely the lesser of two evils.
I generally recommend removing and discarding all filters fitted
to pump intake lines. But you don't have to take my word for it.
If in doubt, consult the hydraulic pump manufacturer.
For more on these and many other hydraulics tips,
point your browser to:
http://www.hydraulicsupermarket.com/technical.html
Yours for better hydraulics knowledge,
Brendan Casey
Author of 'Insider Secrets to Hydraulics'; and
'Preventing Hydraulic Failures'.
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