Protecting Your Hydraulic System and Extending Equipment Life
Contaminated hydraulic oil is one of the leading causes of premature system failure in industrial, mobile, and hydraulic applications. Particles as small as 1 micron can damage pumps, valves, and actuators, leading to costly repairs, unplanned downtime, and reduced equipment lifespan.
At PRC Industrial, we help customers protect their investments with high-quality hydraulic filtration systems. We offer a full line of standard filtration units and can engineer custom filtration skids to meet specific system requirements.
Why Hydraulic Oil Filtration Matters
Hydraulic systems operate under high pressure and tight tolerances. Even minor contamination can cause component wear, flow restriction, and system inefficiency. The majority of system failures can be traced back to poor fluid cleanliness.
Benefits of regular hydraulic oil filtration include:
- Reduces wear on critical components such as pumps, cylinders, and valves
- Prevents system overheating due to flow restriction
- Maintains consistent system pressure and performance
- Extends the life of seals, hoses, and fittings
- Minimizes costly downtime and emergency repairs
Clean oil ensures that your hydraulic system runs efficiently and reliably—protecting both your equipment and your bottom line.
Sources of Contamination
Hydraulic oil can become contaminated through several sources, including:
- New fluid introduced with existing contamination
- Ingress of dirt, dust, or moisture through tank vents or worn seals
- Internal wear of system components producing metal particles
- Residual contamination from component changeouts
Even systems with sealed reservoirs and high-quality oil are vulnerable to ongoing contamination without a dedicated filtration strategy.
Filtration Isn’t a One-Time Fix
Many operators assume that once hydraulic oil is filtered during installation, it will remain clean. In reality, hydraulic systems continually generate contaminants during operation. Best practices include:
- Using offline filtration or “kidney loop” systems for continuous fluid cleaning
- Re-filtering new oil before adding it to the reservoir
- Installing return-line or pressure-line filters at strategic points
- Regular oil sampling and cleanliness testing
Proactive filtration should be part of every preventative maintenance program.
PRC Industrial’s Hydraulic Filtration Solutions
PRC Industrial stocks standard hydraulic filtration units for general-purpose use and maintenance needs. We also build custom filtration systems for specialized applications, including:
- High-volume filtration for large hydraulic reservoirs
- Portable filter carts for service teams
- Inline filtration for critical system components
- High-efficiency filtration with moisture and particulate control
Our team can evaluate your system requirements and design a filtration unit that integrates seamlessly with your operation.
The Bottom Line: Filtration Saves Time and Money
The cost of a failed hydraulic pump or valve—along with associated labor and downtime—can easily outweigh the investment in a proper filtration system. Regular oil filtration offers:
- Lower maintenance costs
- Increased uptime and system availability
- Extended lifespan of all hydraulic components
- Improved system performance and reliability
Let PRC Industrial Help You Get Ahead of Contamination
Whether you need an off-the-shelf filtration unit or a custom-built solution, PRC Industrial has the experience and inventory to help you implement an effective oil cleanliness strategy.
Contact us today to speak with a hydraulic specialist and learn how our filtration systems can improve the health, performance, and longevity of your hydraulic equipment.