Preserving Lip Seals

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Running a facility that has industrial equipment and heavy machinery can give you a lot to do. Lip seals are overlooked at times when you're dealing with other building issues, but without proper attention, the seals can leak, wear down, or get damaged. When that happens, work can't get done, and those delays can affect production and delivery of clients' orders. Preservation of these seals by taking the steps below can preserve overall function and efficiency.

Monitoring Age

A reason for many seal leaks and issues is that no one ever checks how old they are. Age can be a primary reason for seal degradation, so it's smart to track and monitor the age of all the seals you're working with. Lists or diagrams are useful for this purpose. If you can't remember ever replacing a lip seal, you might wait until you have some down time to be proactive and replace it with a new one.

Monitoring Seal Performance When New Materials Are Added

Sometimes, additives and new chemicals added to hydraulic systems interact badly with lip seals. Whenever the design or production team adds something new, make a serious effort to visually assess the health of the seals. That way, any trouble is identified and handled quickly. If new seals must be ordered in order to better handle new chemicals, that can be done before additional problems result.

Changing Seal Types For Facility Conditions

Your hydraulic system could be reaching overall temperatures that are too high for your seals to perform well. Numerous leaks or spills could be a direct result of the need for you to change the type or brand of seal you're using.  Be sure that you're aware of manufacturer recommendations and guidelines before using them on your own systems. Get advice about which seals ought to be used from vendors or manufacturers.

Keeping The Seals Clean

If any part of your lines are exposed to the outdoors, that could also have an effect on seals. Keep them clean and free from caked on mud, ice, and other substances.

Checking The Filters

Badly damaged filters will ultimately cause issues for lip seals. If metal shards or other debris aren't stopped by a good filter, they could become lodged in a lip seal, compromising its integrity. If you keep having lip seal breakdowns and can't seem to pinpoint the cause, the fault may lie with system filters.

These seal-preserving tips can be used by you or employees on site. Consult professionals, manufacturers, and supply companies like Accurate Products Inc. for further lip seal guidance.

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