If you do not have the proper training to make such a decision, it's a good idea to talk with a technical specialist, preferably one that is vendor-neutral, because this will truly give you the best recommendation for your needs. You should be very careful when searching for substitutes for hydraulic fluid. If you use the wrong fluid, the seals can swell or break. Therefore, do not substitute unless you are very sure of what you are doing. Zinc is the commonly used additive in anti-wear oils as it extends the durability of the machinery. The other reason for using zinc-based additives is because they have both anti-wear as well as anti-oxidative properties. Anti-wear hydraulic oils are recommended when operating in a harsh environment.

If the hydraulic system has a narrow operating temperature range and it is possible to maintain optimum fluid viscosity using a monograde oil, it is recommended not to use a multigrade for the reasons stated above.

Do You Understand the OEM Recommendations?

Hydraulic oil is a low viscosity, non-compressible fluid which is responsible for moving the piston, thus, power in hydraulic machinery. Hydraulic fluid can be mineral-based or synthetic. The higher the number or the grade, the better the resistance to temperature change. This range is important for the classification of viscosity and to assess the quality of hydraulic oils.

If you do not have access to hydraulic oil, there are some substitutions and some oils that you should steer clear of. Not all oils are made the same and can cause more damage than you think. Motor Oil There are a few vegetable seed oils that can be commercially used as hydraulic fluids. They include oils extracted from sunflower, soy, and Canola seeds. The performance of these oils varies with the type of additives and base oil chosen. The vegetable seed oil has several advantages over their mineral counterparts when used as hydraulic fluid. The advantages include higher flashpoints of 3200C, they are non-toxic, higher lubricity, and biodegradable. Some of the limitations of vegetable oils include low oxidation resistance and poor performance in low temperature. In addition, vegetable oil is quite expensive. Hydraulic is used in cruise ships to carry out daily operations be it transporting goods or operating the heavy machineries including the engine of the ship. • Marine IndustryIf you choose a viscosity grade incorrectly, your hydraulic components will degrade faster than they should. Some additives are required to enable operations of the machinery and equipment under extreme cold weather conditions. There are some concerns when using multigrade fluids in hydraulic systems. The viscosity index (VI) improvers used to make multigrade oils can have a negative effect on the air separation properties of the oil. 1