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Before making a fluid switch, Sutherland recommends checking compatibility. "If you do want to do a running change, you should perform a compatibility analysis or at least a check," he states. "That will solve most people's problems."

Filter before you fill

Filtration is your last line of defense against injecting damaging contaminants into the hydraulic system.

"Hydraulics operate at very high pressure (3,000 to 6,000 psig). Contaminants or dirt can be detrimental at these pressures if they are not properly filtered," says Naman. "They behave like sandpaper, which is very abrasive and can cause premature wear."

Even microscopic-size particles can produce negative effects, such as "three-body abrasion". "Three-body abrasion is when you have two surfaces, then introduce a hard, clearance-size particulate that scrapes or abraids the metal surfaces and actually starts to wear away metal," Badal explains. "Basically, you start a chain reaction. Once it starts to wear, you get more particulates and they cause more wear. You start a cycle if you don't filter it or correct the problem."

A fluid transfer cart — or filter cart/caddy — can remove microscopic particles, as well as water, from the fluid. "It moves the fluid across a 2-micron filter to take the majority of contamination or any water content out as you're transferring it from, say, a 55-gal. drum on the back of a lube truck," Urbano explains.