Hydraulic oil is unlike any other industrial fluid. In addition to being a machinery lubricant, it’s also the medium through which energy is transferred. These products are used in nearly every industry on the planet to help vital machines function.
From food production and auto manufacturing to aerospace and the creation of new medicine, hydraulic oil helps make our modern world possible.
What Is the Difference Between Hydraulic Oil and Hydraulic Fluid?
Both hydraulic oil and hydraulic fluid are readily understood terms for petroleum-based fluids that can transfer energy in force-amplifying or force-reducing applications. Both hydraulic fluid and hydraulic oil are made of the same primary petroleum formulations. Hydraulic fluid differs from hydraulic oil by consisting of other fluids, which may include water, mineral oil or synthetic fluids.
Why Is Oil Used in Industrial Systems?
Oil is naturally compression-resistant, making it ideal as a force multiplier or reducer in hydraulic applications. The various formulations of hydraulic oil have been meticulously engineered and improved over the years to meet the needs of industrial machinery and equipment.
Hydraulic oil resists wear and corrosion between moving metal parts and have high load-carrying capabilities due to its compression-resistant characteristics.
Industries that rely on industrial hydraulic oil and fluid include:
- Mining
- Metallurgy
- Construction
- Automotive
- Farming
- Aerospace
Common Types of Hydraulic Oil
Hydraulic oil is traditionally categorized as either mineral-based or synthetic. Synthetics may use any number of formulations and ingredients, while mineral hydraulic oils are petroleum-based. In many cases, though, synthetics incorporate petroleum or petrochemicals in their creation.
There are many sub-types of hydraulic oil, such as:
- Aircraft hydraulic fluid
- Food-grade hydraulic fluid
- Fire-resistant hydraulic fluid
- Biodegradable hydraulic fluid
- STOU and UTTO (both types of universal hydraulic oils for tractors)
Quality Matters: Mobil Hydraulic Fluids
One of the most trusted names in lubricants is Mobil. With a wide array of lubricants specifically engineered to meet the needs of niche applications. Mobil has adjusted its formulations to improve productivity and reduce downtime. In 2015, machinist operators saved nearly $40,000 on repairs, part failures and time lost due to maintenance.
Some of the benefits of using premium hydraulic fluids include:
Systems stay cleaner up to three times longer than with other hydraulic oils. Reducing aggregated materials offers improved efficiency, including:
- Reduce power consumption
- Faster, more reliable start-up and pump protection
- Improved anti-wear performance across a wide range of temperatures
As a Mobil hydraulic oil distributor with experience and expertise in the industry, Tilley Distribution supplies customers with dozens of fluid types and formulations – and we can help you find the right type of hydraulic oil to meet your needs and adapt to shortages when present.
Find the Right Hydraulic Oil for Industrial Equipment
In a business environment where marginal gains can make all the difference, decision-makers are leaving no stone unturned to find opportunities to lower short- and long-term costs.
Let our lubricant experts learn about your needs, whether it’s a 55-gallon drum of hydraulic oil or lubricants for new equipment. Talk to a Tilley representative today to get started.