How do you fill a reservoir?
How do you fill a reservoir?
The hydraulic reservoir is an important hydraulic component and properly filling with fluid is vital to a well maintained system and long life of the components.
The reservoir performs important functions such:
• Dissipating heat through its walls
• Conditioning the fluid by helping settle the contaminants
• Relief of air from the systems
• Providing mounting support for the pump and other components.
A proper tank has the following:
• Baffle plate for preventing the return fluid from entering the pump inlet
• For maintenance purposes a reservoir should have an inspection cover
• A filter breather for air exchange
• Protection for filler plug
• Level indicator for checking the fluid level
• Connections for suction discharge and drain lines.
The level of fluid in a reservoir is very important. If the level is too low, there is a chance of air getting entrapped in the outlet pipe going to the pump suction. This may lead to cavitation of the pump resulting in pump damage. A substantial space above the fluid in the reservoir must be included to allow volume change, venting of any entrapped air and to prevent any froth on the surface from spilling out. NOTE: NEVER FILL THE HYDRAULIC RESERVIOR WHILE THE SYSTEM IS RUNNING, DOING SO COULD RESULT IN OVER FILLING AND THIS CAN CAUSE MINOR TO MAJOR CONSEQUENCES. A HYDRAULIC RESERVIOR NEEDS TO BREATHE FOR PROPER OPERATION.
It is highly recommended that a closed filling system be used to fill your hydraulic reservoir. By closed filling system, I am referring to using a filter cart and quick disconnect at the reservoir. It is not recommended to fill the reservoir thru the filler/breather. Contamination can enter quite easily which will affect your system long term. By using a filter cart, the oil can be pumped from the 55 gallon drum or whatever container it is held in, thru a filter, filtering the oil prior to entering the reservoir. By using a quick disconnect at the reservoir you reduce the risk of contamination infusion, Wiping off the coupler and nipple prior to connection will reduce the chance of contamination entering the hydraulic system.
New hydraulic oil in a 55 gallon drum or other storage container, though it may be new oil is not really clean oil, so it is always recommended when filling the reservoir with new oil pump the oil thru a filter with the proper ISO filtering level recommended by the manufacturer of the hydraulic components.
If a little common sense is used when filling or adding hydraulic fluid, and the system is well maintained the hydraulic system can provide long life of the components, which will result in increased production due to less component failure due to contamination.