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Hydraulic Oil - Beesley Fuels Guide

Hydraulic oil is key to many business processes, so you must ensure you have enough of the right type of hydraulic oil to maintain your operations. Used in a variety of industries all over the country, our hydraulic oil will help keep your machinery and equipment running smoothly, all year round.

To learn more about this hydraulic oil read this guide or speak to an expert on 0330 123 1144.

What is hydraulic oil?

Hydraulic oil is a type of oil that is used in hydraulic machinery and equipment as a non-compressible fluid that transfers power within the system. Although this fluid is usually used for powering systems it can also be used as a sealant, coolant and lubricant within your equipment.

What is hydraulic oil made of?

Hydraulic oil is typically made up of one base fluid with several additional ingredients which will be added depending on the specific properties required for your operation.

Base stock: This forms around 99% of the oil and provides the basic lubricating and hydraulic properties, with typically two types of based stock used:

1. Mineral Oil
2. Synthetic Oil

Additives: These make up around 1% of hydraulic oils but without them, the oil wouldn’t perform as well under differing conditions. These additives include the following:

1. Anti-wear additives
2. Anti-oxidants
3. Corrosion Inhibitors
4. Anti-foam agents

How does a hydraulic system work?

Hydraulic oil’s specific role within your system is to transfer power from one end of your system to the other passing through a variety of hydraulic components.

A forceable piece of equipment such as a piston within a cylinder will be applied to the hydraulic oil which then pushes through your hydraulic system. Once this occurs there is enough force on your system which results in the movement of a piece of equipment such as an arm on a piece of machinery.

Due to the hydraulic oil’s key property being non-compressible, it allows for the most efficient transfer of force.

What is hydraulic oil used for?

Hydraulic oils are used in a variety of machinery, equipment and vehicles in almost all industry sectors. They serve as a lubricant, coolant or sealant within the machinery; such hydraulic oil application examples include:

• Forklift trucks and stackers
• Wood splitters
• Agricultural machinery
• Aircrafts
• Automotive lifts
• Ships
• Snow ploughs
• Construction

What types of hydraulic oil are there?

As mentioned above there are two types of hydraulic oil which are synthetic or mineral-based. Synthetic oils are man-made and offer more benefits than mineral-based oils, including a wider operating temperature range and improved resistance to wear and tear. There are also biodegradable options for both synthetic and mineral-based hydraulic oils. Bio hydraulic oil is a hydraulic lubricant which has been designed to be used within environmentally sensitive areas such as forestry and agriculture.

But what are the specific qualities of each? Take a look below to see which type of hydraulic oil is right for your business.

Mineral-based hydraulic oil

Derived from crude oil, the mineral-based hydraulic oils are refined to a substance designed specifically to be lubricated on your equipment and machinery. A cost-effective lubricant option that provides lubrication and power transfer within hydraulic systems.

However, mineral-based oil has its limitations when compared to synthetic oils, as it has a limited operating temperature, so it can underperform when at extremely low or high temperatures and can also degrade over time. As well as offering less protection against wearing and requiring more frequent oil changes.

Synthetic hydraulic oil

This man-made oil performs consistently in both extreme heat and cold, as temperature changes make no difference to the performance of the synthetic oil. It also lasts longer and requires less frequent oil changes, providing better lubrication and protection for hydraulic components. Due to the oil’s high performance, synthetic products can be more expensive than mineral-based oil.

Which mineral or synthetic-based oil is the best for me?

Choosing which oil is best for your business depends on the type of business you run, the amount of oil you’ll be using, your OEM’s specifications, and what your budget is for your oil. You should consider the following to make a better decision on the type of oil you should use for your business operations.

Operating temperature

Mineral-based oil performs at moderate temperatures, between 0 to 50 degrees, but breaks down much quicker at high temperatures. This increases wear and tear as well as requiring much more frequent oil changes, adding to costs. Synthetic-based hydraulic oil thrives in a much wider range of temperatures with the ability to perform at a superior rate in hot and cold environments. If your equipment operates at a high temperature it is worth investing in the additional costs of synthetic oil.

Frequency of oil changes:

This varies depending on where you’re using your mineral-based oil but can lead to changes every 1,000 to 3,000 hours of operation. Synthetic-based hydraulic oil performs at a superior level which means oil changes are needed a lot less frequently. If the changing of oil within your system is disruptive or causes additional costs to your business then you should choose synthetic oil due to its longer-lasting lifespan.

Budget

Depending on the amount you can spend on oil will determine which is better for your business. If your budget is tight then look at investing in mineral-based oil, if cost isn’t an issue then the more expensive synthetic hydraulic oil is the better choice.

Compatibility of oil system

Check which of the oils is compatible with your existing system to avoid damages or leaks – some machinery is designed to work with a specific type or grade of oil, and using the incorrect variety can cause damage or void warranties.

Choosing the right hydraulic oil for your business is important, if you’re unsure of which oil would be best for your business, then give our team a call on %tel%.

How do hydraulic oil systems work?

Hydraulic oil acts as both the power transmitter and ensures smooth operation, here is how it works:

1. The hydraulic pump is the heart of your system, using mechanical power from an engine or motor to create pressure on the oil.
2. As your pump turns it pressurises the oil and is directed out of the pump
3. This pressurised oil is channelled through pipes to various parts of the system
4. Once the oil reaches the pistons within the system it forces the piston rods to cause movement in various parts of the machinery, this might be the movement of a claw on an excavator or another large piece of equipment.

What else will hydraulic oil do for your business?

Lubricates: The oil provides movement between restrictive parts of machinery which helps protect your equipment.

Cools: As the hydraulic oil circulates it absorbs the heat generated by the friction, keeping the system cool.

Seals: The oil also helps maintain a tight seal between parts of your equipment preventing leaks and ensuring an efficient operation.

Hydraulic oil fluid properties

Hydraulic oil has specific properties and characteristics which ensure your hydraulic systems work for your business’s operations. For your hydraulic fuel to work to the best of its abilities your hydraulic oil should have the following properties:

• Fire resistant
• Operates in a range of temperatures
• Non-corrosive to hydraulic systems
• Anti-wearing to hydraulic systems
• Resistant to water contamination
• Constant viscosity
• Long shelf life
• Affordable

There are very few fluids which will meet all of these criteria but that doesn’t mean there aren’t oils which meet some of these properties. Depending on the application we have hydraulic oils that can operate in a range of temperatures, so we can provide a hydraulic oil that’ll keep your business running no matter the circumstances.

Hydraulic oil flash point

The flashpoint of hydraulic oil refers to the lowest temperature at which the oil can vaporise and create a flammable mixture with air. This temperature is somewhere between 260 degrees and 399 degrees, The flashpoint in oil is different depending on the type of fluid and hydraulic oil is no different, the flashpoint can range from 135 degrees to 650 degrees, depending on the classification of oil.

Hydraulic Oil Classification

The life span of hydraulic oil

The lifespan of hydraulic oil is difficult to work out due to a variety of factors but you should change your hydraulic oil every 2,000 to 3,000 hours of use.

Are hydraulic oil and fluid the same thing?

Even though hydraulic oil and fluid are used and spoken as interchangeable products, they have some distinctive differences that separate them. Firstly, hydraulic fluid is a way of transferring energy within a hydraulic system, our hydraulic oil is used to ensure these pieces of machinery are lubricated to ensure they run smoothly. Hydraulic fluid has low or non-existent flammability but hydraulic oil is flammable and highly explosive. Due to its highly flammable nature, hydraulic oil doesn’t work in high temperatures, but hydraulic fluid can work in a variety of temperatures.

What colour is hydraulic oil?

Looking at your hydraulic oil you will see a clear fluid that may have a slight amber tinge, though it can depend on the type of hydraulic oil you have. Ensure you check the colour of your hydraulic oil when it first arrives so inspections are done with ease, and continue to check regularly to avoid contamination.

Benefits of hydraulic oil with Beesley Fuels

• Over 50 years of experience providing fuels and lubricants to businesses across the UK
• We supply a wide range of lubricants and precision fluids, including off-the-shelf and custom-blended oils
• 24-48 hours standard delivery with 92% of our orders successfully delivered within 24 hours
• With our personal account managers, you’ll have a personal point of contact who will know your usage inside out

To order your hydraulic oil or to understand more about our fuel and lubricants you can speak to one of our experts today on 0333 009 8255.