Page 19 - July 2021 Track N Times

TECHNICAL TRAINING

• Use steel caps and plugs to protect from damaging fitting threads / port threads on hydraulic components that had
to be removed to gain further access to something else.

• Ballast dust and grind dust are not considered a proper hydraulic sealing solution. However, if you notice the
amount of dirt and dust around a fitting or hydraulic component accumulating in size, this is a clear sign of a hy-
draulic fluid leak.

• Never tighten fittings, hose ends, tubing nuts, or bolts under hydraulic system pressure.

• Never use Teflon tape, RTV, Flex Seal, Loctite, pipe dope, or any other type of sealing product on o-ring face, o-
ring boss, or JIC 37 degree flared fittings. These products interfere with the o-rings ability to seal for an o-ring fit-
ting and the metal to metal seal on the JIC 37 degree flared fitting.

• Lubricate new o-rings with your machines hydraulic fluid “Dirt and grind dust are not
only before installing.
an approved leak sealant.”
• When using Teflon tape or pipe dope on NPT pipe fittings
only, do not cover up the first two threads of the fitting.
The Teflon tape or pipe dope from the first two threads
will ball up and stay in the hydraulic fluid path until the hydraulic fluid starts flowing. Then it will unravel and be-
come long and stringy and will eventually float off into the hydraulic system. Then it usually gets stuck in hydraulic
components with small orifices and spools. This would be something such as a valve bank, solenoid valve, and a
control valve for a hydraulic pump or motor.

• Always clean o-ring grooves, and check for damage to them. Check for scoring, pits or dings in the mating surface
that would prevent the o-ring from sealing before installing a new o-ring. If component has mounting studs, be sure
the studs are tight and set properly. If the studs are loose, they will further loosen up under pressure and the com-
ponent will leak again regardless of using a new lock nut or lock washer. (Common issue found with the long mani-
folds on the 400’s.)

• Hose and tubing nuts should be able to be run down or taken off by hand. If you can’t do this by hand, you are
probably cross threading the fitting, the fitting threads are stretched, or there’s a burr on the threads. Don’t use a
cheater pipe on your wrench to crank it down, replace the fitting.

• Replace all hose fitting seals for hoses that were disconnected from a hydraulic component that is being replaced,
such as a pump, motor or cylinder.

• Good housekeeping around hydraulic systems enables you to find leaks sooner, prevents slips, trips or falls, servic-
ing the system is easier, in addition it will personally save you money, and you don’t have to work in it or walk
through it. Hydraulic fluid will stain your clothes along with any other of your clothes that come in contact with it.
Hydraulic fluid will also break down and wreck your leather gloves and boots. It works its wonders on carpeting in
the OR, rental car or even the hotel room. Last but not least, combine it with dirt and grind dust and it will wreck
your home washing machine along with your family’s clothes.

Page 17 JUNE 2021