What is hydraulic oil? Hydraulic oil can be synthetic or mineral based. It is a non-compressible fluid which is used to transfer power within hydraulic machinery and equipment.
What is the viscosity of hydraulic oil? Viscosity is oil’s resistance to flow and the grading system relates to this resistance at a temperature of 40 °C. These numbers can be thought of in this way: the lower the number, the thinner the oil and the higher the number the thicker the oil. Oil viscosity changes with temperature. The hotter the temperature, the thinner the oil becomes and the colder the oil, the thicker.
What is the effect of viscosity? Higher viscosity hydraulic fluid tends to reduce the system’s operating temperature by increasing the volumetric efficiency of the pump. If the viscosity is too high, however, will cause poor mechanical efficiency by increased friction during start-up, and may lead to cavitation. Finding the right ISO grade that balances the benefits of volumetric efficiency against the drawbacks of mechanical efficiency is the key to a good long-term oil choice.
Ultimately the manufacturer of the equipment knows this value and is always best to consult the manufacturer to try to obtain the answer.
Integrated Marketing requires Hydraulic oil 46 to be used in all of our vehicle lifts.
For more information contact
Fred @ +27 12 664 3556,
e-mail: info@integratedmarketing.co.za
Sources: www.crownoil.co.uk, www.gerrardhydraulics.com.au, www.hfifluidpowerproducts.com
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