Leakage from electric hydraulic pumps or any other hydraulic system is a major problem that must be addressed as soon as feasible. Otherwise, it may cause needless complications. A single drop of hydraulic fluid escaping per second is predicted to waste 420 gallons of oil in a year. Consider how much oil might be saved if the hydraulic leaking issue was resolved.
But the loss of oil is nothing compared to the loss of human life. Yes, the hydraulic leakage can affect the operating of the hydraulic system and end up causing catastrophic failure of the system and might explode, compromising the life of the workers.
There are also other dangers of hydraulic leaks. So keep reading to learn more about it.
Causes of Hydraulic Leaks
Before getting into the main topic we will first discuss the causes of hydraulic leaks.
The main reason the hydraulic system leaks excessively is that we continue to operate the system even after a small leak occurs. These slow leaks tend to reduce the system’s operation and affect efficiency.
Other reasons for hydraulic leaks include
- If the seals are not lubricated properly, they tend to break and leak. To fix it, just lubricating the system alone is not enough. Rather you must use proper lubricant sufficiently.
- If the fitting is not proper, it can pose a problem. If there is a visible leak from a filter or any other component, tighten the fitting.
- Also, over-tightening the hydraulic leak can crack the fitting, damage the seal, and make the leaking worse.
Contamination: Hydraulic leaks are also caused by fluid contamination. The contaminants include air, water, chemical, and particles, and they cause excessive wear within the system and lead to leaks.
Also, poor hydraulic system design can cause leaks. So it is recommended to invest in a reputed brand to prevent this unwanted problem.
Dangers of Hydraulic Leaks
1. The main result of hydraulic leaks is malfunctions of the hydraulic tools or system. The leakage can result in stopping the entire operation of the system. These leaks can cause irreparable damage to the system in the extreme end.
2. The leakages can cause a higher consumption of oil than usual and thus increase the cost associated with it and thus affecting your budget.
3. The hydraulic leakage can also affect the environment it is placed in. For instance, the fluid will pollute the soil, groundwater, and other water sources and result in causing trouble to wildlife and plants.
4. Lastly, the more dangerous part is, if the leaks of a hydraulic fluid spill or slip on the workers, it injures them severely. Also, a catastrophic failure might even cause loss of life.
Cost of Hydraulic Leaks
The areas to consider when evaluating the hydraulic leaks cost are
- If the fluid is leaking continuously, then it needs replacements. So this replacement fluid cost must be taken into account.
- A leaking hydraulic system can invite contaminants into it and cause problems and needs rectification.
- Frequent cleanup is necessary, and the cleanups are additional costs
- Disposal costs of contaminated and leaking hydraulic fluid
- The leaking oil problem increases the safety cost.
One of the most efficient ways by which you can prevent hydraulic leakage is by maintaining the entire system properly. So that’s about the causes, and dangers of hydraulic leaks. I am hoping it sounded insightful to you.