Tanktop mounted hydraulic return line filters provide a low cost filtration solution for hydraulic systems with nominal flows of up to 140 litre/min at 6 bar maximum working pressure.

The Hydraulic Filtration Division of Parker Hannifin, the world's largest manufacturer of motion and control technology, has introduced its latest range of tanktop mounted hydraulic return line filters designed to provide a low cost filtration solution for hydraulic systems with nominal flows of up to 140litre/min at 6 bar maximum working pressure. The ETF (Economical Tanktop Filter) Series, known previously as the 1200 Series, offers improved flexibility in low pressure return lines and is particularly suitable for use in lorry mounted cranes, agricultural equipment and container hook loaders, for example. The ETF Series, which can be used with mineral, vegetable and some synthetic oils, features reinforced co-polymer filter heads and multiple return line ports, making the units compact, lightweight and durable, while the quick release cover means that no tools are required to release the filter cover, so element changeover is quick and easy.

The ETF low-pressure filters use an 'In-to-Out' operating principle, ensuring that all contamination is retained inside the element and preventing recontamination of the system during element changing and servicing.

For improved protection of the system the filters have full flow bypass, with low hysteresis, resulting in a significant reduction of the bypass period as well as minimising the flow that bypasses the element.

To improve fluid cleanliness levels still further there is the available option of magnetic pre-filtration, to ensure that the smallest metal particles are removed from the oil, even during bypass conditions.

This one time investment enables the lifetime of filters to be extended by an average of 20%.

Filters ensure that when fluids - such as hydraulic fluids - are put into or removed from bulk containers, anything from drums to tankers, they are delivered at a specified cleanliness.

These filters ensure that when fluids are put into or removed from bulk containers, anything from drums to tankers, they are delivered at a specified cleanliness. Process fluids, liquid chemicals, petroleum products or hydraulic fluids are all susceptible to accidental contamination during storage and distribution. It is the job of Rosedale Bulk Loading Filters to ensure that any such contamination is removed in a convenient unobtrusive way.

The filter housings are internally threaded at both ends for attachment to the end of the transfer hose or pipe.

A standard quick release coupling can be specified for rapid attachment.

Low cost bag elements with retention capabilities as fine as one micron provide the filter media.

For less demanding applications there are stainless steel strainer baskets in a wide range of perforation hole sizes and with wire cloth linings.

The housing cover is held closed by three eye bolts which can be removed without tools so that when transfer is complete, the element can be inspected easily to indicate system filtration conditions and as proof of cleanliness of the product when delivered.

Two housing lengths are manufactured and each have inlet/outlet ports internally threaded either 1.1/2in, 2in or 3in BSPF.

Material of construction is carbon steel or stainless steel and pressure rating is 20 bar.

Cover gaskets can be specified from a range of materials to suite the application.

Standard filter bag sizes 105 x 203mm or 105 x 355mm match the optional housing sizes and are offered in many materials and micron ratings to give users maximum compatibility regardless of the fluid being handled.

A lightweight aluminium alternative to steel hydraulic cylinders are now available in weights as low as one-third of that of their steel counterparts.

Shaw Hydraulic - the UK distributors of Enerpac hydraulic equipment are pleased to announce the new lightweight aluminium alternative to steel cylinders. The new range which includes single acting, lock nut, hollow plunger and double acting are now available in weights as low as one-third of that of their steel counterparts, yet their physical size is virtually the same as for steel. The lightness of aluminium cylinders provides a two-fold benefit: not only are they easier to handle but the jack size that can be handled manually by one or two workers is doubled.

* Aluminium cylinders, whilst offering the most lightweight solution, also have some unique features such as the following.

Removable Hardened Saddle - protects plunger from abrasive damage.

Stop Ring - absorbs eccentric loading.

Composite Bearing - reduces side-load issues and increases cylinder life.

Hard Coated Plunger and Base - resists wear and prevents galling.

7075-T6 aluminium alloy Components - for maximum strength and mimimum weight.

Plunger Return Spring - on all single-acting models for prompt cylinder return.

Steel Base Plate - protects cylinder base from abrasive surfaces and load-induced damage.

A catalogue details the features of a range of hydraulic cylinders, which having tie rod construction, provide outstandingly long and efficient service life with low maintenance requirements.

Parker Hannifin, the world's leading supplier of motion and control technology, has released a new catalogue detailing the features and specifications of its range of HMI/HMD cylinders. Due to their tie rod construction, the cylinders provide outstandingly long and efficient service life with low maintenance requirements. Parker's compact HMI/HMD cylinders are designed to move, position or clamp tools or work-pieces in a variety of applications, ranging from automation and machine tool systems, to presses, injection moulding and die cast machines, and are available with bore sizes of between 25mm and 200mm.

As well as this functional flexibility, the cylinders offer exceptionally long service life due to number of features.

The piston rods used are manufactured from precision ground, high tensile carbon alloy steel, and induction case hardened to Rockwell C54 minimum, before being hard chrome plated and polished to a maximum of 0.2 micron Ra, resulting in a tough, dent-resistant surface.

Likewise, each cylinder body is precision manufactured to minimise internal friction and prolong seal life.

The life of the glands and seals is also extended by efficient double lip sealing, preventing the ingress of dirt into the cylinder, with the lipseals being manufactured from enhanced polyurethane, giving efficient retention of pressurised fluid and a service life of up to five times that of traditional seal materials.

Parker's HMI/HMD cylinders are of exceptionally robust construction.

They are able to withstand working pressures of up to 210 bar, due to their proven and reliable tie rod design that imposes a compressive force on the cylinder tube, which counters the tensile forces generated by system pressure.

The extensive HMI range meets the requirements of ISO 6020/2, with the HMD range of cylinders also satisfying the DIN 24 554 standard.

A new catalogue has recently been published, detailing these features in depth, listing the properties (including dimensions, and mass and nominal force) of the entire product range.

The Parker accessories available are also itemised, including rod end connections, mounting brackets, position switches and feedback transducers.

Listed with each accessory is the compatible cylinder, making selection refreshingly simple.

The catalogue also includes sections on cushioning, port types, and seals and fluid data, making it a useful reference guide for engineers.

Filters for hydraulic and lubrication systems offer higher efficiency, cleaner results and longer system component life than ISO16889 accredited equivalents, following rigorous testing.

The new Hy-Pro range of filters from SKF, the knowledge engineering company, offers higher efficiency, cleaner results and longer system component life than conventional ISO16889 accredited equivalents; having undergone Dynamic Filtration Efficiency (DFE) multipass performance testing, the highest existing method for measuring hydraulic and lubrication filter performance. The Hy-Pro range is designed to remove particulate and water contamination in hydraulic and lubrication systems, providing efficient and reliable filtration over extremely long service lives, saving engineers the money that is commonly lost battling contamination related failures. Approximately 75% of all hydraulic component failures are attributed to surface degradation caused by contamination and corrosion.

By comparison, the cost of installing and maintaining suitable filtration is estimated to be just 3% of the costs associated with contamination, including unplanned downtime, component replacement or repairs, maintenance costs, troubleshooting time, disposal and waste.

Unlike other hydraulic and lubrication filters on the market, the Hy-Pro filters are DFE rated, having undergone much more rigorous testing.

DFE testing was specifically developed by Hy-Pro to achieve much more realistic test results than are attainable with existing ISO standards alone.

Whereas ISO testing imposes an improbable single flow rate on a filter during the test period, DFE testing alternates the flow rate between two values.

This method offers a much closer reflection of real world operating conditions, encompassing the concepts of flow fatigue and multipass testing.

The DFE testing also includes vibration analysis, as vibration can affect the effectiveness of a filter's performance, causing it to unload contaminant previously captured, in a cloud of contamination downstream of the filter.

The Hy-Pro filters offer outstanding particle retention as a result of undergoing this testing, resulting in superior filtration and cleaner fluid.

When competing ISO compliant filters were subjected to DFE testing, a number of other weaknesses were also visible as well as unloading: media breakdown, reduced dirt holding capacity and fluctuating efficiencies.

Every element tested performed less effectively when subjected to DFE testing as opposed to ISO16889.

SKF recognises that it is crucial that the correct type and size of filter is used in the right location, taking into account the maximum flow rate, maximum system pressure, fluid viscosity, and the fluid type.

The series includes suction filters and strainers to protect pumps from large particles found in reservoirs, pressure filters to be installed between pump outlets and the rest of a system's components, return filters that collect all flow and return it to the system free of contaminate, pilot line filters to protect particularly sensitive components, and static or mobile off-line filter systems which act as a self contained filter system to run 24/7 or intermittently.

Careful analysis and retrofit of specialist filtering equipment has resulted in significantly reduced running costs for large Giddings and Lewis 5-axis milling machines used in machining landing gear.

Careful analysis and retrofit of specialist filtering equipment from Wyko has resulted in significantly reduced running costs for large Giddings and Lewis 5-axis milling machines used in the production of aircraft landing gear at Messier-Dowty in Gloucester. Problems with reliability due to frequent pump failures on the hydraulic systems were leading to downtime and high maintenance costs, after repairing the hydraulic pumps Wyko Fluid Power filtration specialist Derek Campion was called in to determine the root cause of the failures and offer a more permanent solution. Production at the Gloucester, UK facility of Messier-Dowty, a Safran Group company, is focused on complex major structural components including main fittings and bogies for large commercial aircraft supplied to Airbus, Boeing and others, plus main fittings and larger components for military aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Since aircraft represent such complex engineered systems, build scheduling is crucial for the manufacturers, hence the supply of essential assemblies has to be assured, making any downtime on machine tools central to production at Messier-Dowty a major issue.

Problems had arisen over previous years with pump failures on the hydraulic systems of the seven individual Giddings and Lewis 5-axis milling machines at Messier-Dowty.

During March this year WYKO was asked to overhaul the failed pumps and to determine the root cause of the failures.

Oil samples were taken and analysis was done via the patch test method.

The results indicated that the systems were contaminated with black and bright metal and were running above the industry standard ISO cleanliness level of - 15/14/12.

The first step after refitting the repaired pumps was to fit an off-line filter unit to the hydraulic system to clean the fluid and improve the contamination levels.

Routine fluid checking procedures were then established to monitor contamination levels on an ongoing basis after the fluid had been cleaned.

Less than a week after the off-line unit was removed the ISO contamination code ramped back up to the previous level and it became obvious that periodic filtering was not going to provide a solution.

It was evident that the pressure-line filters already fitted to the machines were working but significant contamination was being ingested into the system as the fluid travelled around the machine and was then being brought back into the tank.

This contamination would then pass through the pump causing abnormal wear before going into the pressure line filter.

Based on previous experience, and discussions with Pall representative Tim Wright, Derek Campion opted to conduct a trial using specialist Pall SRT (12 micron) filtration assemblies as permanent additional return-line filters.

The trial consisted of 2 Pall SRT return line filter assemblies with filter blockage indicators.

A baseline ISO cleanliness level of 19/16/14 was established for the oil prior to the installation of the filter assemblies and a target set according to British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) guidelines of 15/14/12.

* Note on ISO cleanliness levels - oil cleanliness is coded based on the number and size in microns of solid particulate present in the oil.

Three numbers separated by '/' denote the corresponding level of solid particulates measuring 4, 6 and 14 microns in size found per millilitre of oil.

In this application particles of less than 4 microns in size were too fine to have caused the wear problems found in the hydraulic pumps in question and the costs of filtering to that degree were deemed to be uneconomic.

* Outcome - the trial commenced in March 2005 and it was agreed to continue for a three-month period.

Samples were taken periodically to make sure the filtration not only initially improved the ISO cleanliness level but also that it was being maintained.

In addition to the installation of return line filter assemblies, it was also decided to upgrade the tank breather filters and to filter any new oil entering the system.

The target level of cleanliness was then maintained throughout the duration of the trial.

* Savings - prior to the system being installed pump failures would occur on average every 18 months on each of seven machines.

Overhaul costs on pumps combined with the labour, downtime, an oil change and disposal of waste oil were in the region of GBP 16,000/machine/year.

The new filtering system is intended to increase the mean time between failure from a calculated 1600h previously to over 3800h, this translates to a reduction is overhaul maintenance costs of over 50%.

The projected operating figures are based on a BHRA study of 117 hydraulics machines that established a clear correlation between fluid particulate levels and average time between failures based on ISO cleanliness codes.

The trial officially concluded in early July, and the remaining six machines are now being converted using the same system.

Taking into consideration the overhaul costs incurred in maintaining the Giddings and Lewis 5-axis milling machine, the potential savings in installing the filter assemblies mean the full ROI on a capital expenditure of GBP 1,000/machine (fully installed) can be achieved just six months.

* About Wyko Industrial Services - Wyko are one of the largest suppliers of maintenance and repair products and services in the UK and boast one of the most highly qualified teams of engineers in the industry.

Other Wyko services available include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Services, condition monitoring and Generator Services that are available to general industry and marine customers across the UK.

They can be accessed from Wyko's network of 170 distribution branches and repair workshops nationwide.

* About Messier-Dowty - Messier-Dowty a Safran Group company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of landing gear systems.

Messier-Dowty landing gear are in service on more than 19,000 aircraft making over 30 000 landings every day.

The company supplies 30 airframe manufacturers and supports 750 operators of large commercial aircraft, regional and business aircraft, military aircraft and helicopters.

Messier-Dowty is also the majority shareholder of the worldwide MRO network, Messier Services.

Cleaning product loosens and removes oxidation products in hydraulic oil systems and improves system efficiency - the products are held in suspension until the system is drained.

Over time all mineral oils will oxidise. Mineral oil oxidation results in the formation of organic acids, alcohols, ketones and aldehydes most of which are soluble in the oil and increase acidity and viscosity. In time some of the compounds may form insoluble gums, sludge and varnish causing sluggish operation and blockages of valves, nozzles and actuators in hydraulic oil systems.

Q-clean NOS removes these oxidation products and improves system efficiency.

These oxidation products are loosened and held in suspension until the system is drained.

The cleaning action of Q-clean NOS occurs during machine operation, therefore system operation is maximised.

For new hydraulic systems which may have been flushed with rust preventive or lower grade hydraulic oil a 3%, by volume, addition of Q-clean NOS to the initial fill of hydraulic oil will aid smooth operation.

Users can choose from a full range of high quality hydraulic oils to maximise performance in mobile and stationary hydraulic applications, in a wider range of operating conditions and environments.

Shell lubricants companies are revitalising their range of variable temperature hydraulic oils with the introduction of two new products. A new generation of the successful Tellus T and the brand new Tellus STX will now be available alongside Tellus TX and Tellus Arctic. This means operators worldwide can choose from a full range of high quality hydraulic oils to maximise performance in mobile and stationary hydraulic applications, in an even wider range of operating conditions and environments.

Eduardo Tavcar, Global Hydraulic Oils Product Manager for Shell Lubricants, commented: 'Machines and applications that are regularly exposed to the outside environment are open to variable operating temperatures depending on factors such as location, time of year and start-up versus operating temperature, which can all have a significant effect on the viscosity of the hydraulic oil and related lubrication properties.

The range has been developed using the latest polymer technology, which adapts to an increase or decrease in temperature to ensure minimal viscosity change.' Shell Tellus variable temperature hydraulic oils have been designed to avoid problems related to low-performing lubricants to reduce maintenance costs, as well as providing several additional benefits during day-to-day operations.

Improved equipment protection and reduced oil consumption can be achieved through the range's high shear stability (the polymers resistance to stress, which can break the molecules and reduce the viscosity of an oil at operating temperatures), while fast start-up can be achieved through excellent low temperature performance.

The range also has excellent hydrolytic stability, which reduces the negative impact of unavoidable water condensation in machinery after shutdown, helping to achieve reduced wear and corrosion.

In addition, the products' wide temperature range may also allow operators to reduce the number of hydraulic grades, with one oil being able to operate in a wide range of environments.

Tavcar continued: 'The true test of a good variable temperature hydraulic oil is finding one which offers a wide temperature range as well as other key performance features such as excellent shear and hydrolytic stability.

Only by choosing a product that performs well in all areas will you be able to reduce downtime and maximise productivity.' Tellus T, formulated on the next generation technology of Shell Tellus, is suitable for most machinery and the majority of conditions.

Shell's new Tellus STX is designed for operators demanding a metal free lubricant or when conditions are more extreme.

Concluded Tavcar: 'It is all a matter of careful selection.

Understanding the full range of temperatures to which a hydraulic oil will be exposed is key to selecting a hydraulic oil to optimise performance.

Shell's range of variable temperature hydraulic oils ensures that operators have the 'best value' solution for their needs - matching performance and protection requirements with global quality and consistency.'

Users of hydraulic power packs no longer have to choose between the inflexibility of standard products, and high cost/long delivery times often associated with bespoke fluid power units.

With the introduction of Bosch Rexroth's new Alpha Pack range, users of hydraulic power packs no longer have to choose between the inflexibility and inconvenience of standard products, and the high cost and long delivery times often associated with bespoke fluid power solutions. Assembled from proven off-the-shelf components, Alpha Pack modular hydraulic power units are versatile enough to meet the needs of almost any application, yet are exceptionally competitively priced and are, in most cases, ready for delivery just four weeks from the date of order. Power packs in the Alpha Pack range are available with reservoir capacities from 100 to 1,000 litres, and can be supplied in versions with continuous delivery pressures up to 280 bar.

They can incorporate either fixed or variable displacement pumps, including gear, vane or piston types, with power ratings from 2.2 to 55kW and, depending on the pump type chosen, they can support flow rates up to 171 litre/min.

Modular sub-assemblies added to the basic system allow it to be configured to match precisely the needs of the application.

Pump controls for Alpha Pack products are optimised for energy efficiency and safety, and can be arranged to provide constant pressure, flow- or pressure-controlled solutions, with automatic load sensing capabilities.

Appropriately sized accumulators, in conjunction with the sophisticated Alpha Pack accumulator control system, further aid energy efficiency by allowing the power packs to cope with cyclic and emergency loads without the need to increase basic capacity.

Fluid conditioning options, including filtration, cooling and heating, are also available, as are flexible interface facilities which allow the power packs to be easily integrated with any modern automation system.

Many further options are offered including, for example, bund trays and even fully customised manifolds, all of which can be incorporated without extending the delivery period.

To help customers choose from Alpha Pack's extensive range of options, Bosch Rexroth has developed its easy-to-use Power Unit Configurator software package, which provides step-by-step guidance through the configuration process.

With this software, the company's sales engineers - usually working at the customer's premises - can quickly configure systems which optimise both performance and value for money in any specific application.

The software also calculates pricing on the spot, producing a detailed quotation as well as an assembly drawing, a circuit diagram and a detailed parts list.

Products provide an economical and efficient solution to hydraulics system contamination control, fluid system predictive maintenance as well as on-going system cleanliness.

The Hydraulic Filtration Division of Parker Hannifin, the world's largest manufacturer of motion and control technology, has complementary products specifically designed to provide an economical and efficient solution to contamination control, fluid system predictive maintenance as well as on-going system cleanliness. Perhaps as importantly, the Oilcheck oil cleanliness monitor, Guardian portable filter system and Parfit interchange replacement elements all help to prevent the equipment downtime caused by fluid contamination, thereby enabling significant improvements to be achieved in both productivity and profitability. Used together, this trio of products forms an effective solution to contamination: monitoring contamination levels, removing contamination and maintaining cleanliness levels by preventing contamination from recurring.

* How clean is your oil?

- Ideal for use by industrial and commercial engineers and mechanics involved in the servicing and maintenance of commercial vehicles, construction plant and mobile equipment, the completely portable, hand-held Oilcheck detects any contamination changes in engine oil condition before it becomes a problem.

As a result, the instrument assists in extending engine operating life expectations helping to reduce cost of ownership.

The monitor works by analysing and measuring the dielectric constant of oil samples, using a baseline reading taken from a clean oil sample against which contaminated samples can subsequently be tested.

Readings are displayed both as a numeric value and on a simple-to-read, circular red/green efficiency scale.

Used together, these displays allow a gradual change in oil quality to be recorded and, in samples where contamination has reached a critical level, for a problem to be identified immediately.

* Clean it up - the Guardian portable filtration system features an innovative pump/motor/filter combination designed to transfer and condition mineral, petroleum-based and water emulsion fluids.

The exceptionally robust filtration system protects hydraulic systems from contamination ingress, particularly water and particulate contamination, when adding new fluid, removing matter down to 2 micron in size.

Furthermore, Guardian is ideal as an offline filtration/conditioning system on hydraulic system reservoirs making it particularly suitable for use in injection moulding machines, paper mills, industrial and mobile equipment and marine system support equipment.

Perhaps as importantly, the portable filtration system allows hydraulic systems to operate continuously without the need for routine system checks thereby dramatically reducing costly downtime.

* Keep it clean - the environmentally friendly range of Parfit interchangeable hydraulic elements allows users to source all their element requirements from one single, high quality supply, while reducing the number of replacement elements required, thereby allowing costs to be reduced dramatically.

Ideal for use in a wide range of applications including industrial test rigs, aircraft ground support equipment, industrial and mobile equipment, steel mills and paper mills.

The Parfit elements allow the removal of only the blocked filter media pack, which can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, as opposed to the disposal of metal housing components, which present a disposal problem, as is the case for conventional filter elements.

Indeed, the metal housing components in the Parfit elements are retained and ready for immediate re-use.

In addition, Parfit elements have undergone extensive filter element performance testing and have proved to offer equivalent and, in many cases, better contamination control and extended product life by comparison with traditional filter elements.

The ideal Parfit elements for a specific filtration unit can be selected quickly and easily from the new online Parfit Interchangeable Element Selector

Manufacturer of motion and control technologies, has launched a new repair service for Parker industrial tie rod cylinders, available through its Hydraulics Technology Centre programme.

Parker Hannifin, the world's leading manufacturer of motion and control technologies, has launched a new repair service for Parker industrial tie rod cylinders, available through its Hydraulics Technology Centre (HTC) programme. Designed to help customers maximise the operating life of their hydraulic cylinders, while reducing expensive downtime and taking advantage of Parker product quality and guarantees, the new cylinder repair service is fully certified by Parker and meets the company's high standards of quality, service and knowledge. Although modern hydraulic cylinders deliver exceptional performance and reliability, downtime caused by cylinder failure can be costly, particularly when one includes the time taken to diagnose and repair or replace a hydraulic cylinder and the resulting loss of production.

To address these issues, each Parker Hydraulics Technology Centre operating the new cylinder repair service uses genuine Parker parts, with turnaround of repairs typically being within 24h and a fast track service available on request.

In addition, all Parker cylinders are repaired to the original specification and, depending on the nature of the repair requested by the customer, are guaranteed for up to 12 months after the work has been completed.

Perhaps most importantly, under the cylinder repair service scheme, participating Parker Hydraulics Technology Centres will have access to the company's serial number database, which contains details of all its cylinders, allowing engineers quickly to identify the precise specification of a cylinder before repairing it.

In addition, the Parker Hydraulics Technology Centre is able to upload details of work carried out on a cylinder to the database, ensuring cylinder history records are up to date for future use.

The first Hydraulics Technology Centres to participate in the cylinder repair service scheme include Hedley Hydraulics and South Eastern Hydraulics, with many more accredited centres to be added in the future.

Richard Haigh, managing director of Hedley Hydraulics, believes that, 'The new cylinder repair scheme is an important step forward for the industry and will enable us ensure that cylinders are maintained effectively throughout the operating life of our customers' machines and to help them drive down the overall cost of ownership'.

Manufacturer of motion and control technology, has released its brochure on 'The Principles of Parker Hydraulic Filtration and Contamination Control' in six languages for European markets.

Parker Hannifin, the world's largest manufacturer of motion and control technology, has released its brochure on The Principles of Parker Hydraulic Filtration and Contamination Control in six languages, as part of a programme from its Hydraulic Filter Division Europe to provide local language literature to its European markets. The brochure is an excellent introduction to the division as a whole, giving overviews on all aspects of its business, including research, design, innovation and Lean manufacturing. Sections are dedicated to the ways in which Parker works with its customers to meet their specific needs while pioneering innovative developments in filtration technology, the efforts that help ensure any impact that Parker's raw materials and processes have on the environment is minimised, and the commitment to quality that drives all aspects of its business.

The Parker Lean System, a systematic approach taken by the company to continually improve the efficiency of it operations, is detailed in the brochure, together with an overview of how Lean initiatives utilise valuable knowledge from employees, customers and suppliers to focus and improve the way that Parker works.

The brochure is available in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish, as well as English.

As part of Parker's European marketing strategy, the literature is now available from Parker's European Product Information Centre, with a range of additional multi-lingual brochures to follow.