Hydraulic oil is a specialist fluid designed for power transfer in a wide range of mechanical systems and equipment.
Typically, a cylinder or piston generates force, driving hydraulic oil through the system to produce movement. Hydraulic oils can be mineral or synthetic based fluids, but operators can also select to use a biodegradable version supplied by trusted brands like Total and Castrol.
In this blog, we’ll break down biodegradable hydraulic oils into their multiple benefits for the environment, safety, cost, performance and efficiency. We’ll also explore some of the operating environments that these eco-friendlier solutions are ideally suited to.
Read on to see if these solutions are appropriate for your operation.
What are the environmental benefits of using biodegradable hydraulic oil?
There are several environmental gains companies can access when they choose biodegradable hydraulic oils.
Reduced environmental impact
Using biodegradable hydraulic oils is the best choice when companies want to lower risks regarding environmental pollution – especially when working in areas where oil spills can impact water, soil and wildlife.
Lower toxicity
The low toxicity levels of biodegradable hydraulic oils make them safer for the environment than traditional hydraulic fluids.
Compliance with regulations
Employing biodegradable hydraulic oils can help companies navigate and comply with strict standards and regulations related to the environment. Biodegradable oils are often manufactured from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, decreasing fossil fuel use.
Lower carbon footprint
Companies find that biodegradable hydraulic oils can effectively lower their carbon footprint. This improves their green credentials and reputation with regulators, partners and consumers, advancing and futureproofing their business ambitions.
What are the safety benefits of using biodegradable hydraulic fluids?
As well as being safer for the environment, biodegradable hydraulic oils also promote safety for operators and the sites where they are employed.
Reduced risk of fire
Many biodegradable oils feature a formulation with a higher flash point compared to conventional hydraulic fluids. This effectively increases fire safety on site.
Safer handling
Workers using biodegradable hydraulic fluids in their role are less at risk, as these oils have lower toxicity. However, appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) should always be worn during use.
What are the economic benefits of biodegradable hydraulic oils?
Ordering biodegradable hydraulic oils can also offer short- and long-term cost saving for companies.
Short-term cost gains
High-quality biodegradable oils can improve the efficiency and operational performance of hydraulic systems. This offers potential for cost savings in reduced maintenance and lower energy consumption.
Long-term cost gains
While the initial costs of buying a supply of biodegradable hydraulic oil may be comparative or a little higher, the reduced risks of environmental harm, mechanical downtime and fines from regulators because of leaks and spills can result in significant cost savings.
What are the performance and efficiency benefits of biodegradable hydraulic fluid?
Providing that a reliable brand is used, biodegradable hydraulic oil has coveted characteristics that can improve mechanical performance and efficiency,
Excellent lubrication
Biodegradable hydraulic oils often provide impressive lubricity. This reduces friction, wear and tear within hydraulic systems, resulting in smoother operations and prolonged active service life of components.
High viscosity index
The latest biodegradable fluids are designed to maintain their desired viscosity over a wider temperature range. This helps ensure consistent performance levels even when operating involves fluctuating or extreme temperatures.
Reduced maintenance
With their effective lubrication, biodegradable hydraulic fluids can prevent damage on moving parts, but they also keep systems cleaner, reducing contamination. Furthermore, they protect against corrosive forces like rust. This adds up to reduced maintenance.
Lower energy consumption
By effectively reducing friction, biodegradable fluids can also contribute to companies experiencing lower energy consumption when running hydraulic systems.
Improved thermal properties
Finally, biodegradable hydraulic oils are designed with excellent thermal stability. This means that they retain their sought-after properties like lubricity and viscosity for longer and require less frequent drain intervals.
What applications are biodegradable hydraulic oils particularly beneficial for?
Biodegradable hydraulic oils are a perfect fit for many different applications. They are an excellent choice for mobile machinery like tractors that feature hydraulic systems and brakes, but also for portable air tools like pneumatic drills.
Their eco-friendly formulation makes them ideal for sensitive environments where agricultural and sea-borne operations occur, reducing risks to water life and wildlife but also soil and human health.
Finally, their thermal stability and high flash point also make them suited to high-temperature applications.
