I take a seven step simplistic approach to eliminating water/process fluid ingress into gearboxes and oil reservoirs via inspection and access points.

1. Evaluate the integrity of the access point. Is there evidence that the material is flimsy and needs to be strengthened? Is there evidence of misalignment, cross threading or other problems? Solve these issues first then proceed to step 2.

2. Evaluate the access point for the proper gasket or sealing. If you suspect the gasket or seal is not effective get advice from a trusted mechanic or gasket supplier.

3. Use brass crush washers instead of steel flat washers. Crush washers provide top sealing of the cap screws that attach the access point

4. Use liquid hydraulic thread sealant (not thread locker) on the cap screw threads to seal the thread area of the cap screws. This also provides minimal locking of the fastener.

5. Torque the fasteners using an accepted cross pattern to the manufactures' specification or from a torque table taking into account the effect of any lubrication value the thread sealant contributes.

6. Use shields to direct water/fluids away from unit.

7. Evaluate the installation and test if possible.

(David Whitman, Millwright, Georgia Pacific Corp.)

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From the book "Insider Secrets to Hydraulics":

Incorrect commissioning during start-up can result in damage through inadequate lubrication, cavitation and aeration. In many cases, this damage will not show itself until the component fails, hundreds or even thousands of hours after the event.

A common misconception among maintenance personnel with limited training in hydraulics, is that because oil circulates through hydraulic components in operation, no special attention is required during installation beyond fitting the component and connecting its hoses. Nothing could be further from the truth.

More information about "Insider Secrets to Hydraulics"

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In the world of maintenance, there are two kinds of companies - those who are modernizing their maintenance programs and those who will. Companies on the trailing edge face one of two risks depending on their industry and geography:

1. Losing revenue to competition as demand for production capacity heats up.

2. Losing profits to competitors who export from low-cost labor markets abroad.

Averting these risks requires a process called change. Perhaps you've heard of it. Change can be evolutionary or revolutionary. Evolutionary change is incremental, more manageable and lower in risk. However, for those laggards who have put off the inevitable, time may be running out. For them, the end to business-as-usual has arrived. Catching up to already fast-paced competitors who are further along in the maintenance evolution may require sizeable short-term budgets for training, new tools and knowledge technologies. Click to Continue ...

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