Hydraulic Oil Testing

The oil circulating within hydraulic systems often takes a backset until equipment failure occurs. Despite playing vital roles, such as providing lubrication and transferring heat to enable maximum performance hydraulic oils operate under immense pressure and within extremely close tolerances.


In this demanding environment, particulate and water contamination are the primary culprits behind hydraulic system failures. These contaminants can lead to increased scouring on rams and escalate component wear, resulting in critical failures and undesired downtime. Implementing a scheduled oil analysis on hydraulic systems is crucial; it aids in identifying issues before they escalate, allowing for proactive maintenance and the potential prevention of component replacement.

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To have your hydraulic oils analysed by FA-ST, all you need is one of our PRE-PAID hydraulic oil sampling & analysis kits. This comprehensive kit includes everything necessary for extracting samples. If sampling directly from tanks, a vacuum sample pump or individual use sampling syringe will be additionally required. Once the samples are collected, you can send them to our independents ISO accredited laboratory. After analysis at the lab, we will email you a PDF report within 2-3 days of receiving the sample.


The report includes details on wear, contamination, and the chemical makeup of the oil, along with comments and recommended actions from our laboratory technicians if necessary. This streamlined process ensure efficient oil analysis and provides valuable insights for proactive maintenance and decision-making.

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Having your Hydraulic Oils tested can help to detect:

Contaminants entering oils can compromise lubricity, preventing the oil from reaching its full potential. In hydraulic systems, where oils operate under extreme pressure, any reduction in performance can lead to significant issues. To ensure the quality of hydraulic oils, our laboratory will identify various contaminants, including:


  • ISO 4406 Cleanliness Code - Hydraulic oils sent to our laboratory for analysis will have the ISO 4406 cleanliness code determined. This code is crucial for situations where equipment failure occurs, and warranties need to be honored.
  • Water Content - Hydraulic oils, working under pressure and generating heat, can accumulate condensation as they cool. This introduces water to the system, and monitoring water levels is essential. Water ingress into a lubricant can lower viscosity, decreasing the lubrication provided by the oil. Elevated water levels can also contribute to corrosion buildup on compenents.

By identifying and addressing these contaminants, our lab analysis provides valuable insights into the health and performance of hydraulic oils, enabling proactive maintenance and preventing potential system issues.

From viscosity to the additive package, ensuring that hydraulic oil is suitable for its intended purpose is crucial for optimal performance. Our lab conducts comprehensive testing on hydraulic oil, focusing on the following parameters:


  • Viscosity - The viscosity of an oil is a critical physical characteristic to monitor. For hydraulic oil to perform as expected, it must flow freely over various temperatures. Over the working life of the oil, factors such as oxidation and contamination can increase viscosity, impeding the oil's ability to flow efficiently within a system. Conversely, incorrect grade oil top-ups or water ingress can decrease viscosity, leading to increased component wear and a higher risk of critical failure.
  • Additive package levels - Monitoring the levels of additives in the oil is essential to ensure that it can provide the required lubrication. Additionally, if specific additive package requirements exist, testing allows for timely decisions on when to top up or replace the oil in use. This thorough analysis provides insights into the overall health and functionality of the hydraulic oil, allowing for informed maintenance decisions.

All hydraulic oil samples undergo a comprehensive elemental analysis, providing insights into various factors occurring within a hydraulic system. Through this analysis, assessments of the following are completed:


  • Wear on components - The analysis helps determine wear on components, enabling the identification of potential components that could fail. It also allows for the identification of increases in wear that could lead to failures, offering valuable information for proactive maintenance.
  • Contamination sources - The analysis identifies contamination entering the system, providing insights into the source and method of contamination ingress. Understanding where and how contamination is entering the system is crucial for implementing effective preventative measures and maintaining system integrity.

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