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Earth MovErs
www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation April 2015 19
ments come labeled with optimal parameters for operation. Most
large attachments are equipped with a pressure gauge to help op-
erators run the attachment well within the recommended pres-
sure guidelines for optimum cooling and performance. A good
suggestion is to keep the attachment at 5 to 10 percent off of its
maximum pressure to get optimum cooling and performance at
the same time. Exceeding these ratings can lead to damage and
unnecessary stresses on the machine.
MaIntenance Is unIversaL
The maintenance involved in auxiliary hydraulic systems is es-
sentially universal.
As with any hydraulically operated machine, it's important to
maintain the proper hydraulic fluid level as specified in the own-
er's manual. The general guideline is to change hydraulic oil every
1,000 hours; filters should be changed every 500 hours. Always
follow the recommendations in the owner's manual.
Equally critical is the need to minimize the potential for
contamination, whether it's dirt, particulates or water. Check
connection points to ensure they're tight, and keep them clean.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid decreases the life of the hydraulic
pump and system, and can lead to more serious issues if not regu-
larly changed out.
Viscosity is the single most important factor when selecting
a hydraulic fluid to use in the skid-steer. Follow the manufac-
turer's recommendations to select the viscosity grade to meet
the machine's operating requirements and climate in which the
machine will be operating. Doing otherwise will result in poor
performance or unnecessary damage. The wrong oil in a cold cli-
mate could lead to sluggish performance and damage to hydrau-
lic components, while the wrong oil in a warmer climate may not
provide the needed viscosity and may actually cause heat buildup
in the unit.
With literally hundreds of attachments available and more in-
troduced each year, it's a given that the versatility of skid-steers
will only continue to grow. By outfitting them with the right aux-
iliary hydraulic systems, skid-steer owners are able to capitalize
on all the machines have to offer, achieve a favorable return on
investment, and ultimately, add to the bottom line of their busi-
ness in the process.
Warren Anderson is brand marketing manager at CASE Construc-
tion Equipment.
1.
CASE models used as reference.
