Rugged construction and mining equipment – earth movers, loaders, excavators, drilling rigs and the like – bear heavy workloads, operate under harsh conditions, and generate a lot of heat. The role of hydraulic fluids is often under-appreciated, but in fact, they are critical to equipment performance, reliability and uptime. The wrong choice can drive up your operating costs in the form of lost productivity, maintenance or repairs, and more frequent fluid changes.

Making the right choice, however, is not always easy. Among other challenges, most crews today are operating mixed fleets, with equipment from a variety of OEMs that may have different specs and approval standards for hydraulic fluids. Carrying multiple fluid types ties up cash and adds to operational complexity, which is why operators are trying to consolidate and keep as few fluids in inventory as possible.

With that in mind, what are some of the top considerations in choosing a hydraulic fluid for construction and mining applications? The first one is the OEM recommendation. Manufacturers typically specify lubricants by their technical characteristics or performance specifications rather than specific brands, with some exceptions, so look for products that match the OEM’s specs.^*

Check the viscosity index

Another major consideration is the operating temperature of the equipment – more so than the ambient temperature of the environment – because that will help determine the appropriate viscosity. Heavy loads and slow-moving equipment generally call for higher weight viscosities. If you are operating in a location where the temperature is prone to extreme swings, from very hot during the day to cold overnight, you should also look at the viscosity index (VI). A higher viscosity index means that the fluid will hold its viscosity as temperatures fluctuate over 24 hours of operation. (Chevron’s Rando^® MV premium hydraulic fluid is an example of a high VI lubricant formulated to remain stable over a wide temperature range.)

If you are working on or near a body of water or environmentally sensitive area, you need to consider contamination risk. EPA guidelines recommend the use of readily biodegradable hydraulic fluids in environmentally sensitive areas. Chevron’s Clarity^® Bio EliteSyn AW meets OECD 301B criteria for biodegradability.

Premium quality pays

What are your goals for drain intervals? Most operators would probably answer “as long as possible.” Conventional hydraulic fluids may have a shorter life. If you are looking to extend drain intervals, many operators find premium fluids can support longer life, i.e. fewer drains and less maintenance downtime.

Finally, considering your equipment is exposed to a lot of dust and dirt, you might want to take measures to avoid particulate contamination in your lubricants. Chevron’s optional ISOCLEAN^® program certifies that fluids meet ISO cleanliness standards at the time of delivery. We also recommend regular fluid sampling and laboratory testing for particle accumulation.

The expression “time is money” is especially true in the construction and mining sectors. Choosing a premium hydraulic fluid can make a big difference in equipment productivity under the most demanding operating conditions.

^*Always consult your equipment OEM’s manual when selecting a lubricant; individual results will vary.