bio-based hydraulic fluid versus petro-based?

[kmg1983]

Does anyone have experience with biodegradable hydraulic fluids and how they compare to typical petroleum based fluid when used in heavy machinery? How does their performance characteristics compare?

 

[hydtools]

We had good performance with biodegradables used in place of petroleum fluids. The applications were portable power units and hydraulic tools. The petroleum fluid was ISO32 grade. We used an equivalent viscosity grade biodegradable fluid.

Here is one source we used:

http://www.terresolve.com/hydra.html

Some biodegradable fluids are not compatible with common petroleum system seal material. Some are. Some biodegradable fluids can be mixed with a small percentage petroleum fluid if you are replacing petroleum-based and can not remove all of it from the system.

Ted

 

[hydtools]

You can also read several articles from Hydraulics & Pneumatics.

http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/TechZone/HydraulicFluids/77

Ted

 

[maytag]

There are different testing methods relating to being labeled "biodegradable".Make sure you compare apples to apples. We currently have one piece of large equipment on Terrasolve-no issues after 12 months. Maytag