Five signs your hydraulic oil needs attention

Catch contamination before it catches you

Most hydraulic failures do not come out of nowhere — the oil warns you first. These five symptoms are worth a sample and an ISO 4406 check:

• Sluggish or jerky movement — particles scoring valves and pumps
• Rising operating temperature — degraded oil loses cooling capacity
• Foaming or cloudy oil — air or water entrainment
• Darkening and burnt smell — oxidation and varnish formation
• Shorter filter life — the system is loading up with contaminants

One oil analysis costs a fraction of one unplanned standstill. If any of these sound familiar, it is time for a sample.