Do You Need New Storm Brakes?

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If you were told that replacing the roof on your house would make it safer, would you do it?

If you were told that immediately moving out of your house was the only way to keep your family safe, would you do it?

Yes, you would. You wouldn’t even think twice about it.

Why isn’t it the same for your employees and storm brakes?

Storm brakes are used to lock something into place to prevent it from breaking. This prevents weather from damaging outdoor equipment. Without a storm brake, you could be negatively affecting the safety of your employees and your equipment.

Why Do I Need New Storm Brakes?

Great question. There are many theories on when you should replace your storm brakes, and it all depends on what kind of storm brakes you are talking about.

We can discuss the timeline of how often you should replace them, but here are the two most important reasons why you need new storm brakes in the first place.

1. Storm Brakes Protect Your Employees and Consumers

Being safe in the mining and construction industry is the number one goal. It doesn’t matter if you build a beautiful building if it isn’t safe to live in. Having these brakes as tools against seismic movements, retractable roofs, and weather threats is essential.

The brakes are used during the building process. They allow for bursts of wind to come in and not halt the building or mining. Updating the storm brakes often will ensure safety with the employees.

When you were questioned as to whether or not you were willing to risk your families safety, you immediately said no. These brakes allow for you to ensure your employees are safe while at work as well.

Risking their lives by not being cautious with your equipment is a mistake even if the likelihood of them getting insured is small.

2. To Protect Your Equipment

In 2017, the construction equipment market was estimated at 192 billion dollars. Equipment costs vary between industries, but with the construction industry using a lot of storm brakes, the maintenance of their equipment is crucial. A storm brake is meant not only to keep those using it safely but to keep the equipment from braking as well.

When playing the “What-If” scenario, what if you choose not replace the brakes after several years and a huge storm comes in. Not only are you putting your employees in danger, but you can damage all of your equipment in a matter of seconds.

Halting production each time a storm comes in so that you do not have to replace a storm brake is also not the answer (although it may sound easier). Just a small burst of wind that is unpredictable could break a thousand dollar piece of equipment.

Preventing Future Heartache

These are two fundamental reasons why replacing your storm brakes should be a yearly investment. It may seem like a pain, but you are preventing yourself from a lot of heartache in the future.

To learn more about how to spot a maintenance problem with your equipment, check out this article.

Why You Need Caliper Disc Brakes for Emergency Applications

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You have worked hard to prevent workplace injuries. All your employees are well trained and equipment maintained according to specifications.

Then out of the blue, an emergency brake failure occurs. Not only was someone injured, but could have died!

It is imperative to make sure your brakes are the best on the market so you can keep your equipment, and your employees, safe.

Read on to find out why you need to get caliper disc brakes for all your industrial equipment today!

What Kinds of Brakes Are There?

There are three main kinds of brake systems, which include frictional, electromagnetic, and pumping. The most common, by far, is frictional brake systems.

A frictional brake is a system that uses a shoe or pad to put pressure on a moving object to reduce the object’s motion.

One of the most common types of frictional brake used on rotating wheels is the disc brake.

Disk brakes are effective because the brake pads depress onto both sides of the rotating disc and the resulting friction slows the motion of the wheel or axle where the disc sits.

What Is a Caliper Brake?

A caliper brake is a specific type of disc brake that uses calipers; which sit on top of the disc like a clamp.

When you activate the brake, hydraulic actions cause pistons inside the calipers to force the brake pads against the disc which slows the rotation of the axle/ wheels to a stop.

This is more effective than the older drum brake systems because gases and heat do not get trapped in the system and cause brake fade.

Brake fade describes when the brake becomes less successful at slowing the machine due to retained heat and gases.

Brake fade is especially dangerous in an industrial setting where heavy machinery may need immediate halting in case of an emergency.

Two Kinds of Caliper Disc Brakes?

There are two main kinds of caliper disc brakes floating calipers and fixed calipers.

Fixed calipers are useful because they do not move. Instead, they have pistons on both sides that force the brake pads onto the disc. The downside is that they can be expensive.

The floating calipers slide closer to the disc when the brake is applied and only have pistons on one side of the calipers.

One of the best kinds of fixed caliper brake systems is the SIBRE SHI system which has a quick response time and is inexpensive to maintain.

They are the perfect combination of reliability and cost efficiency. That is why they are especially recommended for industrial emergency brake situations.

Where Can You Buy Them?

If you have more questions about which kind of caliper disc brakes would be best for your needs or to have new brakes installed in your equipment, please contact us for more information today!

 

Do You Need to Update Your Off-Road Equipment?

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Interested in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining, or military industry? All of these industries have something in common. They all use off-road equipment.

These industries are steadily increasing making them an excellent career choice for young students.

With these industries booming at such a high rate, it is essential to keep the equipment used as up to date and polished as possible.

Keep reading to learn more about when and why you need to update your off-road equipment.

Innovation

The word ‘Innovation’ is talked about a lot in 2018 but rarely implemented in the workforce. Innovation is taking a new idea or process and implementing it to benefit everyone involved.

If your 30-year-old equipment is not streamlining the construction process, then it isn’t innovative. This is when it is time to replace it with a new tool that can increase efficiency.

Successful Business Practice

Knowing when you need to update your machine or an equipment part can mean the difference between a few hundred dollars planned in the budget, or a last minute thousand dollar loss when the machine breaks. Understanding when it is time to replace a piece because it is dangerous or outdated not only increases productivity, but it increases safety and is a successful business practice.

Stay Competitive

Every industry is different, but they each need to fight against competitors to survive. The companies that have moved forward with advances in technology are likely going to be the ones that the consumers follow as well.

For your business to stay competitive, keep your off-road equipment up to date. That equipment does not last forever, although it is designed to the highest standards.

Safety Hazard

Safety is one of the most important reasons why you need to keep your equipment up-to-date. There are always advances in technology that makes it, so things are increasingly safer. Take advantage of those advances.

Especially when it comes to off-road equipment in the military, it is essential that everyone feel as safe and as comfortable as possible.

An Outdated Strategy

Is your consumer strategy even possible anymore? Evaluating your equipment to test the value it brings to your overall company strategy is a great way to know if your equipment is bringing your company to the level at which it wants to compete.

The smartest companies embrace processes with new equipment. This brings new opportunities and new areas of growth and development.

Off-Road Equipment is Diverse

With the ups and downs of company finances; it is hard to decide to update equipment when other things seem to take precedence. It makes sense to want to spend the money increasing company culture and giving people the necessary raises to make their salaries competitive. This list can go on and on.

The critical thing to remember is that updating your off-road equipment will bring immense benefits as listed above. Take the time to discuss these attributes with your team to decide when the right time is to update your equipment.

For more tips on ways to increase company success through maintenance repairs, check out this article.

Why Kor-Pak is Your One-Stop Source for Railroad Parts

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Are you tired of sourcing your rail parts and manufacturing needs through a variety of companies? Are you looking for a reputable railroad parts vendor that can help?

Kor-Pak can provide you with innovative manufacturing solutions for a variety of rail applications. From parts sourcing to engineering, to complete fabrication and servicing- we aim to create a one-stop source for the rail industry’s needs.

Read on to see why Kor-Pak is the answer for you.

Innovators with a Trusted Reputation

Since our inception in 1976, our core objective has been creating value for our customers. Our dedication to quality products and unwavering service has earned us an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. When you partner with Kor-Pak, you bring on a team designed to anticipate and help solve your problems.

More than a company that buys and sells parts, we focus on problem-solving through custom engineering and fabrication. We continuously work to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. That’s why trusted names like GE, Union Pacific, and many others choose Kor-Pak.

We’re always expanding and innovating in our field. You can find us leading the way at conferences like AISTechand the Crane Symposium where we work with our industry peers to improve manufacturing technology.

Special Order Experts

Think you’ll have to scour every resource to locate the specialized hardware you need? Think again. We pride ourselves in sourcing unusual, hard to find, or obsolete parts. No request is too complicated, no part too obscure.

If we can’t find it? We’re experts in custom machining, too. Our engineers work to fabricate custom parts and complete assemblies for clients to deliver what they’re looking for. Whatever your needs, chances are we have the resources to make it happen.

Diverse Partnerships

Here at Kor-Pak, we believe that building long-term relationships is the key to success. That’s why we’ve spent over 40 years working to partner with the best names in the industry. We represent and distribute parts from a dozen quality manufacturers.

Our extensive knowledge and distribution mean we have negotiating power. These relationships allow us to pass savings onto our clients. You aren’t just buying parts; you’re creating a network of resources and field experts who can help you implement, service, and maintain those parts for the life of your business.

Railroad Parts Manufacturing Excellence

Kor-Pak’s engineering capabilities mean we manufacture durable, quality railroad parts that are compatible with a wide variety of brands. Budd, Pullman, Nippon Sharyo, Power Parts Company, EMD, Amtrak, Wabco- we make and service them all.

Each of our products undergoes rigorous testing procedures. You can find our quality parts on passenger and freight cars all around the world. We provide industry-leading service for everything from old locomotives to high-speed rail.

Kor-Pak produces an extensive variety of rail friction parts from a large selection of available materials. We also create virtually all types of rubber products, designed to your specifications. You can customize your order to the last detail.

Look No Further

If you’re looking for a company that cares about your business like their own, you’ve come to the right place. With an eye for excellence, we’ve built a reputation as a one-stop-shop for railroad parts and fabrication.

The value of our combined services means we can work on the custom assembly from start to finish. We aim to provide convenient, knowledgeable resources for any size railroad application at an extraordinary value.

For more information, visit our website and let us get started on your project today.

Top 3 Signs You Need a New Brake System

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Do you ever stop to think how important your overhead equipment is for completing productions? Not to mention it also has to be safe at all time for operations.

The brake system is essential to ensure you operate safely and efficiently. If you feel like you’ve been neglecting your brake systems, this article is for you.

Read on for three ways to know if you need a new brake system.

1. Your Production Has Changed or Increased

When your production and lifting requirements change, you might need to replace your equipment’s brake system.

Even the most reliable cranes and machinery need to have the brakes replaced once the production patterns change. If your machinery has been put through the following conditions, look into changing the brakes as soon as possible:

  • You increased production during your the regular schedule
  • On top of what it already lifts, you added more materials that are different and heavier
  • You’re using the crane more often, and you need to make more lifts per hour

These factors will cause your system to take on more weight than originally designed for. Therefore, you will have to replace the breaks.

If you don’t, you’ll encounter more expensive repairs if you completely let your brakes give out.

2. Replacement Parts are Difficult to Find

Like with any piece of machinery, the older it gets, the more difficult it becomes to replace its parts.

You might want to change your entire system when the parts become difficult to find.

If you let time go by, finding replacement parts could be a hassle and expensive.

Meanwhile, replacing the entire system ensures you don’t have to struggle to find individual replacement parts.

This is why most people decide to upgrade a crane’s entire system instead of only fixing one part.

If you’ve been having trouble finding replacement parts and keeping up with the system, it’s time you replace the entire system.

3. You have to Make Repairs More Frequently

The third sign you might have to replace the brakes is if you’ve been finding yourself making a lot of repairs.

Since these machines get a lot of wear and tear, you might think it’s normal to have to make repairs more often than you would like.

You might choose to continue doing repairs to the brakes instead of replacing the entire system because you might not think it’s in your budget.

Looking at it from the financial aspect, continually making repairs to the brakes is quite costly in the long run.

When you think about production, having a machine down due to repairs ends up costing more.

You have to account for the times the machine will be out of commission, and the workers won’t be able to operate it.

Replacing the brakes doesn’t mean you should change everything in the machine. Getting a new system and performing regular maintenance is cheaper in the long run.

Time to Change Your Brake System

There are three easy ways of telling whether or not you need to replace your brake systems on your machinery.

Check to see if your production schedule has changed, do you regularly have to make repairs, or have difficulty finding new parts.

Looking to make some upgrades to your brake systems, check out our wide selection of products.

New Technology Leads to Innovations in Crane Training

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Cranes are a piece of construction equipment used in many different types of businesses. Safe crane operation requires many hours of specialized training. But technology is changing the crane training process.

Technology such as drones and simulators are quickly changing the crane operation industry. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all crane operators in the United States to be certified. New technology ensures that your business will not only be saving a lot of time but also a lot of money.

Read on to learn about how new technology is increasing crane training performance.

Simulation Technology

A crane simulator is a piece of equipment that allows the user to simulate operating a crane in a controlled virtual environment. In this environment, operators can develop and train their crane operation skills and abilities.

Many companies have switched to using simulators for their employee’s crane training rather than the machine itself. The training has been useful in simulating real-life scenarios so that operators can be ready when working on site.

Some benefits of using a simulator include:

  • Always available for training
  • Increases productivity
  • Customizable training
  • Customizable testing
  • Training logs
  • Analyzed training records
  • Standardization
  • Reduces training costs

Drone Technology

Many businesses are also exploring drone technology to help with crane training. Drones are extremely helpful in giving the big picture. By flying a drone overhead, an operator can learn awareness of their environment.

A drone can show the route of the crane boom, and allow the operator to learn about how to maintain control of the boom. It also helps with learning about maintaining proper distances from various objects. These distances are sometimes difficult to judge from the ground level.

By using a drone to show what’s happening from a higher altitude, it is much easier to see how close the crane boom comes to various obstacles.

Not only can drones be used in the training process, but they can also be used in the actual work environment. Drones can be used to assist with crane inspections and maintenance. A drone can be flown at a high altitude, allowing them to help an inspector see the condition of the crane from above.

Drones can also be useful for checking the expected travel route for the crane lift. While the lift may have already been simulated, a drone can be flown in the expected travel path to double check there are no unanticipated obstacles.

Ready to Incorporate New Technology into your Crane Training?

Proper training is an important aspect of keeping your business efficient and your employees safe. 90% of crane injuries are due to human error. Keeping up with the new technology in the crane industry is a great way of increasing productivity and safety.

Both simulation and drone technology can help with crane training performance. While technology moves fast, it is important to take advantage of relevant technology when it helps your business.

Check us out for more information on new technology and equipment.

 

How to Know You Need New Crane Parts

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Crane parts, much like everything else, require maintenance, frequent inspections, and sometimes even replacement. Checking for damage is crucial to avoiding last-minute, emergency shopping for heavy industrial equipment.

We’re here to help the likes of

  • purchasing agents needing to resupply clients
  • engineers that want custom equipment
  • dock workers that need new crane hoists

and much more!

When buying such expensive and fundamental gear, the only option is going to renowned companies with major clientele. The higher the quality, the less you’ll need to repair and replace, and the more money you’ll be making.

So how do you know it’s time for an exchange or update on your equipment? We’re here to offer a brief, in-depth guide that will help you answer that question.

Seven Signs Your Crane Parts Need Repairing

We’ve narrowed the list down to the seven most common signs. Each of these visual displays of wear and tear is a reason that you need to contact us:

  1. Broken chain links
  2. Worn-out pads
  3. Rusty parts
  4. Bent hooks
  5. Dry ropes
  6. Any cracked or loose parts
  7. Worn brakes and/or clutch

No matter the size of damage, every issue can and should be repaired immediately to avoid more dangerous or expensive issues. The best way to catch problems early is to have every person operating cranes to go through a thorough, visual checklist before every use.

Although these problems are great indicators that your crane parts need replacing, they are not limited to just these seven.

Making sure that every operator is familiar with load capacity is another way to ensure that your parts get used as long as possible. To avoid replacing equipment before you need to, make sure every operator follows a strict weight procedure.

Luckily for you and your team, these issues are easy to spot. Although inspections should be done with a trained eye, it doesn’t take an expert to see that something is broken or rusted.

Don’t wait too long before checking your equipment. In fact, let’s talk about when the prime times for reviewing are.

When to Look for Repairs

The ANSI, or American National Standards Institute, outlines at least three different times when it is necessary to inspect your crane parts. Once again, the options are not just limited to this list:

  1. Initial inspection – before any use
  2. Frequent – daily to monthly
  3. Periodic – one to twelve months, unless otherwise stated by manufacturer

Any inspections beyond these are encouraged! You don’t want to spend months on an expensive, time-consuming project only to have the business and your employees endangered by rusty or damaged equipment.

How to Proceed

Working with heavy industrial gear isn’t easy. We’re here to help you carry the weight (with or without a crane!).

Once you understand your crane parts need replacing, the rest is up to us. If you’ve checked out your equipment before it’s been damaged, that’s great. And if not, don’t stress – we’re not scared of emergency or special orders. We can help you find parts ranging from the common to the obsolete.

Don’t wait until your crane is kaput before fixing it! Give us a call now to avoid more costly and timely repairs.

Why You Should Train Your Employees for Machine Maintenance

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A broken down machine is so much more than an inconvenience — it’s a disaster. It results in lost wages, output, and even a potential lawsuit.

Machinery is a necessity for many industries from farming, mining, and oil drilling. Therefore, you owe it to yourself, as well as your employees, to take care of your equipment.

Here are a few reasons why you should train your employees in the art of machine maintenance.

Regular Machine Maintenance Keeps Your Business Running Smoothly

Did you know that stress and missed productivity costs businesses between $200 and $300 billion per year?

Each lost second of productivity is a lost chance to make money that could go back into your business. Imagine what your business could do with a few extra thousand dollars per year.

Ensuring that your employees know how to clean and maintain workplace machinery adequately ensures that your business stays as smooth and well-oiled as a machine itself.

Maintenance Keeps Your Machines Running Longer

Whether you’re working with cranes, brakes, transmission products, or any other type of equipment, calling in repair services can get quite expensive, especially if done on a regular basis.

In short, maintaining your machines is an investment. Ill-maintained machine tends to have a shorter shelf life. This, in turn, could cost your business thousands of dollars.

Instead of constantly ordering replacement parts, invest those resources in your training program. It may be an upfront cost, but you’re saving your business money in the long run.

Maintenance Keeps Your Employees Safe

Of course, machine maintenance isn’t just about keeping your equipment up and running. It’s about making sure workers are skilled and knowledgeable enough to handle preventative measures and avoid potentially fatal injuries.

Your employees deserve a safe, welcoming work environment. 2.9 million workplace injuries occurred within the past several years alone. Something needs to change.

Each of these injuries can cost your business quite a bit in Workers’ Compensation costs. You can expect to pay anywhere from $.75 to $2.74 per $100 in employee wages in the event of an injury.

Keep Your Employees And Equipment Safe. Invest in Training

The average workplace loses extraordinary amounts of money each year, either through Workers’ Comp claims, repair costs, or even something as simple as lost productivity.

If you’re not taking care of your machinery, you’re far more likely to lose money.

Furthermore, investing in your employees’ training is a great way to make sure both worker and machine are safe.

Investing in a machine maintenance training program is important for any industry dealing with large machinery, so don’t wait. Contact Kor-Pak today to ask about machine maintenance and see how you can keep your workplace optimized and well-maintained.

Your Industrial Machine Disc Brake Questions Answered: How They Work

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Today, most industrial machines and modern-day vehicles operate with a disc brake system.

This revolutionary braking system combines the use of a circular disk made of either cast iron, steel, or carbon ceramic with a piston and caliper system.

When compared to drum brakes, disc brakes have a longer wear-and-tear value and provide a much more powerful braking power.

While drum brakes are still relatively standard in certain models of industrial equipment and cars, the disc brake has changed the face of braking efficiency.

If you’re looking to learn more about how disc brakes work, then keep on reading…

A Basic Guide on How Disc Brakes Work

There are several working parts which comprise a basic disc braking system.

The key to understanding how disc brakes work is understanding the role each part plays within this system.

The key components of a disc brake system include:

When a disc brake system is engaged, it should work to stop a moving part immediately. The above components all work together to ensure this braking system works in an instant.

In short, when the brake pedal of an industrial machine is pressed, the hydraulic fluid becomes pressurized in the brake lines, engaging the pistons, and pushing the brake pads onto the rotor.

The speed at which a moving machine or vehicle stops is dependent on how hard a driver pushes the brake pedal – this goes without saying.

The pressure inside the brake lines increases the harder a brake pedal is pushed, which works to squeeze the brake pads onto the moving rotor.

Now that the basics have been outlined, let’s delve deeper into how disc brakes work by understanding the function of each component:

Rotor Function

This is one of the most important parts of a disc brake system and is attached to the wheel hub of a machine or vehicle.

This rotor is manufactured from three common materials: cast iron, steel or carbon ceramic and is made to move naturally with the wheel.

The rotor is essentially what the brake pads press onto, slowing down the wheel of a moving machine or vehicle.

Brake Pad Function

This is undoubtedly a key component in how disc brakes work. Brake pads are used to create friction between the pads and the wheel rotor, slowing down movement.

The brake pad is manufactured in two parts – the metal shoe and the inner lining, found within the shoe.

This lining is the component which comes into contact with the wheel rotor and is made from a variety of materials. The quality of this material can greatly impact the longevity of your braking system.

Piston Function

This is comprised of a cylinder which is connected to the braking system via a set of hydraulics.

Essentially, the piston works to move the brake pads onto the rotor when the brake pedal of a machine or vehicle is pressed.

In general, most brake systems use only one piston to move both brake pads. However, 2, 4, 6, and 8 piston systems are used for stronger braking power – depending on the machinery.

Caliper Function

The caliper system primarily provides housing for the most important components of the braking system: the piston, brake pads, and rotor.

It is also host to a ducting system which contains the brake fluid used to control the movement of the brake pads.

There are two prominent caliper systems – floating or fixed calipers. Fixed calipers are set in place and include two pistons, whereas floating calipers work with only one piston.

A fixed caliper system is known to apply brake pressure more evenly, however floating calipers work just as effectively.

Increase Your Machinery Uptime with Kor-Pak

At Kor-Park we understand the devastating effects of machinery downtime.

As such, our business is focused on offering a speedy and efficient replacement part, refitting and repairs service.

Looking for machinery parts, accessories or custom fabrication for your business, then get in touch with Kor-Pak.

What Affects Oil in a Hydraulic System

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Inefficient oil flow isn’t just slowing down your hydraulic system; it may be costing you thousands of dollars.

A hydraulic system with improper oil flow works harder, takes longer, consumes more, pollutes more and costs more.

Fortunately, preventing oil flow problems is as simple as proper maintenance and oil choice. Apply these three tips to improve oil flow and start saving money (and the environment) right away

Pick the Right Oil For Your Operating Climate

The biggest factor linked to oil flow is viscosity. And the biggest factor in choosing your oil viscosity is the range of temperatures your system will be operating in.

If the oil viscosity is too high, oil flow and lubrication are hindered when operating in cold temperatures. This could result in wear or malfunction of your hydraulic system.

If the viscosity is too low when operating at high temperatures, your system will lose oil flow to internal leaking. This can also hinder lubrication and cause wear.

Since most hydraulic systems will have to operate in the extreme temperatures of winter and summer, your best bet is to use a multigrade oil as it is designed to operate efficiently in both extremes.

Because multigrade oil is more expensive than monograde, some people use a different oil for different seasons. But multigrade oil has been tested and proven to provide average savings of 4.8% in the summer and 20.1% in the winter, despite it’s higher purchase cost. Another study found that multigrade oil can save you $10,000 for every 1,000-hour drain interval.

Proper Maintenance of Your Hydraulic System

This may seem obvious, but don’t be passive. Neglecting maintenance is the second easiest way to lower flow rates and, therefore, operating efficiency.

Check your system for kinked or dented oil lines, leaks, cracks, clogged parts or any parts that need replacing or cleaning. When was the last time you checked?

Change your filters regularly. A dirty or clogged filter will restrict oil flow.

If you want to be extra efficient, don’t change filters according to a schedule. If you do, you may be replacing them too often (costing you more for filters) or not often enough (reducing the life of your system’s parts with dirty oil).

Instead, use a clogging indicator to monitor pressure drops across the filter to find out exactly when it needs changing.

This principle applies to changing oil, too. Never dump that oh, so expensive oil according to a timetable unless you enjoy throwing money away. Only change the oil when you’ve analyzed it and confirmed that the base oil is degraded or the additive package is depleted.

Reduce Air Entrainment

Lastly, air bubbles trapped in your oil can hinder oil flow because aerated oil is harder for your system to pump.

Air entrainment can be caused by system leaks, splashing or improper bleeding when adding oil, and contamination. Mostly, air entrainment can be prevented with proper maintenance. But it can also occur on its own when dissolved air inherent in hydraulic fluids is released during operation.

If entrained air is affecting your oil flow, a bubble removal device can be used to deaerate the oil.

Conclusion

Improving oil flow isn’t difficult. Practice proper maintenance, use multigrade oil and start saving money.

Need more help? See what our team of experts can do for you. Or, better yet, let us know exactly how we can help.