The risks of not regularly replacing your hydraulic filters

Below we outline some of the risks of not replacing the filters in your hydraulic system in a timely manner. At Boar we ensure that we have all the right filters available for you, so after reading the reasons you can order the filters for your machine straight away.

Return filters

Contaminants re-entering the hydraulic reservoir mean that every machine part that comes into contact with this fluid is at risk of wear. Fine particles in the fluid can abrade vital components such as pumps, valves and actuators, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Increased back pressure, caused by an obstructed flow through the return filter, results in a lower inlet pressure in your hydraulic pumps. This can lead to cavitation. Cavitation are (very) small bubbles that form and implode in your hydraulic fluid, causing temperature peaks of locally thousands of degrees. It doesn't take much imagination to know that this is harmful to your pumps.

Suction filters

With suction filters, similar cavitation problems as described above can occur with reduced flow. In addition to the risk of cavitation, you may also experience delayed operation and poor performance. This makes sense because less hydraulic oil reaches the parts that do all the work. In addition to reduced performance, debris that bypasses the suction filters can also increase the wear and tear on your pumps and the pumps' internal components. This wear affects performance, but even worse, it significantly shortens the life of the pump.

In-line filters

Less than optimal filter health of in-line filters can cause contaminants to spread throughout your hydraulic system, which obviously causes more wear and tear, but can also affect the proper functioning of your control valves. To prevent this, make sure you replace the in-line filters regularly. It's better to do one too many than to have small unwanted particles circulating through your hydraulic system. The problem with a malfunctioning in-line filter is that it can be difficult to determine the source of the contaminants. That means you have to replace more filters and hydraulic oil, increasing your costs.

Pressure filters

Well-functioning pressure filters ensure the correct pressure in your hydraulic system. If these filters are clogged, you may experience fluctuating pressures, making operating your machine very difficult. In addition, the constant pressure fluctuations place extra stress on your hydraulic parts, causing them to wear out faster and even causing cracks in your parts. Since these filters are used in high-pressure areas and a possible failure could cause leaks with oil under high pressure and at high temperatures, there is also a serious health risk. It is also good to know that when the flow of hydraulic oil in your system is obstructed, the oil temperature rises. This significantly shortens the lifespan of your components. For example, if your operating temperature is a constant 80 degrees instead of 60, the life of various components such as hoses, couplings and internal parts of the pump can be reduced by as little as a tenth.

Ventilation filters

Breather filters ensure that unwanted water and moisture do not accumulate in your hydraulic oil reservoir. In addition to corrosion of the metal of the hydraulic reservoir, which causes particulate matter in your system, humidity can cause degradation of parts, including reduced lubricity. If poorly functioning ventilation filters are not replaced regularly, the quality of your hydraulic fluids will deteriorate significantly. This means that you either have to change the hydraulic oil more often or that you have to ensure a properly functioning ventilation filter. In terms of costs, the second option is more economical.