At TW Oils, we recently solved a problem experienced by a local farmer, where the cold weather was causing pumping issues at start up with a hydraulic oil that he had been using successfully during warmer months, by upgrading to more appropriate product for his application.

When you are using a ‘Standard’ Hydraulic Oil, for example an HLP VG ISO 46, the ‘ISO 46’ is the Kinematic Viscosity Grade at 40° C (i.e. the ‘thickness’ of the oil at this specific temperature). However, as the temperature of the oil increases during operation, this viscosity can decrease as the oil begins to thin out. At lower temperatures, the oil can tend to thicken up, and the viscosity increases. Your oil literally changes thickness depending on temperature – and this can cause big problems depending on the application.

“High Viscosity Index”, HVI Hydraulic Oils, are specifically formulated using Viscosity Index Improvers to effectively produce a ‘stay-in-grade’ product, which can maintain its ISO viscosity across a wide range of higher and lower temperatures.

Check in with TW Oils to see if you need an upgrade on your Hydraulic Oil to an HVI, or even a VHVI (Very High Viscosity Index), especially if your equipment is working under more arduous conditions and fluctuations of temperature, to ensure that you are using the correct grade to withstand the variation in operating environment and offer a more stable viscosity you can rely on.

For EXTREME temperature requirements, you can also contact us for advice on our specialist range of Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Oils as well as Low Pour Point Arctic Oils.