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"If the drums have to be stored outdoors, they should be stored on their sides with the bungs facing the ground at the lowest point," advises Ted Naman, technical coordinator, ConocoPhillips Industrial Lubricants and Greases. "The drums should be shielded from the weather and covered with tarps to protect them from the elements."

Drum covers are also an option. "The key here is you don't want contamination buildup in the form of dirt or water on the top of those drums because the [bung] hole really doesn't seal anything out," says Urbano. "Water sitting on top of that drum is going to go past the threads on that plug and leak into the barrel if you don't have some means to keep it out. If nothing else, turn the barrel so the bung plugs are parallel to the ground. Place a 2" x 4" under one end so rainwater will run away from and off the plugs and the top of the barrel."

Water can also accumulate inside drums stored outside, particularly during "transitional" times of year. "If we have a 60° F day and a 30° F night, that's going to give you condensation buildup in those drums, and that's a big problem," says Urbano. "Before you tap into a barrel and use that oil, it would be a good idea to pull an S.O.S. [oil] sample to check the oil's condition. It's a relatively inexpensive and quick test that will tell you whether there's any water buildup or contamination."

No mixing allowed

According to Naman, a common problem with hydraulic fluid is contamination with water, motor oil, transmission fluid and other lubricants or chemicals, including solvents or cleaning solutions. Such liquids can chemically interact with the hydraulic fluid, reducing its performance or its viscosity. "This has a direct impact on the life of the hydraulic system," he adds.

When transferring product from a drum or tank to a piece of equipment, OEMs and oil suppliers alike strongly recommend using clean, liquid-tight containers dedicated to a specific fluid. "If they're not dedicated, you could end up contaminating your hydraulic oil with motor oil or other things," says Len Badal, global enterprise manager, Chevron Products Co. "When you mix the two products, the performance properties of the hydraulic fluid will degrade and possibly affect equipment performance."