888-354-0291 740-622-3307
111 North 14th St • PO Box 218 • Coshocton, OH 43812
888-354-0291 740-622-3307
111 North 14th St • PO Box 218 • Coshocton, OH 43812

News You Can Use: Issue 9

"Unparalleled Delivery Times on Custom and Standard Filtration Products”

Why Do We Use Hydraulic Fluid Instead of Other Fluids?

Generally speaking, we know hydraulic oil is the least compressible fluid we can use in industrial applications. We just want to leave you with a little bit of information… next time we will explain a little more about what that means. They are excellent as a medium for heat transfer, a lubricant, for sealing clearances between moving parts, and most important, to transmit power. See our next newsletter for more info.

Tank Mounted Suction Strainers

Tank mounted suction strainers are installed through the side wall toward the bottom of a reservoir. They can be removed through the hole in which they were installed and access to the reservoir is not necessary. Of course, the reservoir has to be empty when performing this task. We offer this optional style of suction strainer with flow rates up to 100 gpm with mesh sizes from 30 -200. They have male and female threads on them. The male thread of the strainer is threaded onto a weld ring mounted on the reservoir and the inlet line that goes to the pump is threaded into the female threads of the strainer. This is a viable option for standard suction straining. Quick delivery is what we are known for, so contact us anytime.

How is the Economy Affecting Your Business?

In this day and age when it seems we have to fight for every piece of business we can find, how many of us are looking outside our current customer markets and industries for new business? Throughout the years, Ohio Fabricators has manufactured filters, strainers, and custom filtration products that are not just used in the fluid power industry. Look outside this generous industry that has been good to us over the years. Some key markets that use products that Ohio Fabricators manufacturers are…

  • Heavy off-road equipment
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • Industrial equipment repair shops
  • Mining
  • Amusement rides
  • Machine shops
  • Pulp & paper mills
  • Oil & gas market
  • Robotics
  • Metalworking
  • Material handling
  • Textile
  • Paint spray
  • Wind turbine

These are just some of the other markets that use OFCO products. Brainstorm to see possible future customers. Next time we will get more specific on the equipment where our products are used in these markets.

Do You Know the Answers to These Basic Fluid Power Questions?

1. How much does one cubic foot of standard hydraulic oil weigh?
2. What is the purpose of the hydraulic pump?
3. What does the relief valve do?
4. What causes pressure?

See answers at the bottom

A Simplified Study in Filtration

Part 6 of 10

In the last newsletter, #8, we showed where the first two locations of filters in a hydraulic system. Let’s look at locations 3 and 4 below.

The third location a filter should be placed is in the return line, where the fluid returns to the reservoir. Return line filtration catches the contaminants from other system components before returning to the reservoir. Typically, the rating on this filter should be 10-30 microns or if proper filtration is located in other areas of the system, then return line “straining” would be adequate with usually 60 or 100 mesh. A very common style of filter used in a return application is the spin-on or a tank mounted return line strainer. Both are very cost effective.

The fourth location that gets completely neglected and forgotten is the tank breather. The main function of the reservoir in a hydraulic system is to store and supply hydraulic fluid for use by the system. Typical reservoirs need to breathe. The fluid level rises and falls during operation causing the air to enter and leave the tank from the headspace. 

Therefore, a vented breather is usually installed to accommodate the air exchange that results from the constant change in oil level, pressure, and temperature within the tank. Air carries contaminants. So just like hydraulic filters and strainers that filter the oil, breather units filter the air. The tank breather needs to be serviced and maintained just like all other filters. As an added note, if the system is located in an area that is humid or open to the outside environment, it would be prudent to install a desiccant tank breather, one that will filter air AND moisture because water is the second most damaging contaminant to any system.

Next time we will take a look at the 5th and final area where some sort of filtration is regularly needed. Do you think you know where that might be? Stay tuned.

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