Looking for a new Hydraulic Fluid? Consider QUINTOLUBRIC® 888.

Is your hydraulic fluid delivering the performance you need, when and where? Does it meet your shop’s demanding safety needs? And does it help you save big on insurance costs?

QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 fire-resistant hydraulic fluid delivers on all three counts. It’s also: 

• Polymer-free: Reducing the chance of degradation.
• Biodegradable: Making it safe for environmentally sensitive areas.
• FM-approved: Meeting the highest standards.

While QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 surpasses the quality of other hydraulic fluids, its unique properties mean it also plays well with them. Because of baked-in compatibility with most mineral oil and polyol ester-type hydraulic fluids, the QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 line works well with various materials, including multi-component epoxy coatings and ferrous and nonferrous alloys. It’s also safe for standard materials like NBR (ISO 1629). 

Excellent miscibility ensures smooth blending and operation. QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 also provides excellent lubrication, extending pump life. So, in addition to helping you save on insurance costs, it can also help you save operationally with longer-lasting equipment.

Over time, all hydraulic fluids degrade—that’s just reality. So what does it mean for you? Reduced performance, corrosion, wear and tear, and possible system failure. While QUINTOLUBRIC fluids can extend your pump life, maintenance and monitoring are non-negotiable.

Specifically, monitoring your Total Acid Number (TAN) helps maximize your hydraulic fluid lifespan and performance—and, by extension, your equipment. Monitoring TAN protects your:

• System: High acid levels can lead to corrosion and increase wear and tear on your equipment.
• Budget: You’ll know it’s time to change fluids before damage occurs. And you’ll avoid unnecessary fluid changes.
• Fluid Performance: Fluids at the proper TAN perform as intended.
   

Your TAN helps you understand when fluids are beginning to break down. For QUINTOLUBRIC® 888, replacement is recommended when the TAN reaches 8.0 mg KOH/g. 

By following proper maintenance guidelines and regularly monitoring the health of your hydraulic fluid, you can extend the life of your system, avoid costly downtime, and keep your shop running smoothly.

During the replacement or conversion process, it’s easy for contaminants to invade your hydraulic fluid, beginning the degeneration process. Here are a few tips that can minimize your risks: 

• Clean the area around fill ports, drain plugs, and any components that will be opened before starting the process.
• Drain the old fluid completely from the system while it's at operating temperature. Pay attention to draining the reservoir, lines, cylinders, accumulators, and filter housings.
• Clean the reservoir thoroughly using lint-free rags to remove all sludge and deposits.

Switching hydraulic fluids may sound like an arduous process, but it doesn’t have to be, especially when moving to QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 and following the service guide. 

Important: Be sure to remove all of the petroleum-based fluid. Any residue will reduce the fire-resistant properties of QUINTOLUBRIC® 888.

1. Drain the petroleum-based fluid. Remember to drain fluid from accumulators, cylinders, and lines, and remove any build-up of dirt in the reservoir.
2. Refill the reservoir and actuate all the cylinders for several cycles.
3. Continue to flush the system for several hours. Inspect filter elements periodically and replace them if necessary.
4. Check the fluid level and add more QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 as necessary until full. 

Important: Be sure to remove all of the water-based fluid before adding QUINTOLUBRIC® 888. Water will damage the fluid.

1. Drain the water-based fluid. Remember to drain fluid from accumulators, cylinders, and lines, and remove any build-up of dirt in the reservoir.
2. Refill the system reservoir with our recommended flushing fluid. The flushing fluid is designed to absorb any water-based fluid remaining.
3. Actuate the cylinders and cycle the system with the flushing fluid. Continue flushing for several hours. Flush the system for 24 hours or for as long as possible.
4. After flushing, fill the system with QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 fluid. Don’t forget to check the fluid level and add more fluid until full.

(see the full case study here)

A steel producer in Thailand had a fire in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) process of their long products manufacturing. Metal sparks ignited a leaking pool of mineral oil. Because of its relatively high auto-ignition temperature and low heat of combustion, mineral oil presents a huge fire risk. 

The steel producer was looking for a hydraulic fluid with a lower risk of fire and propagation

Quaker Houghton suggested the steel producer convert to QUINTOLUBRIC® 888-46, HFD-U hydraulic fluid. It offers a higher auto-ignition point and significantly reduced heat of combustion, making it much less likely to catch fire or propagate than mineral oil. In an environment involving heavy equipment and liquid or red-hot steel, using a hydraulic fluid with a lower auto-ignition point leads to improved workplace safety, decreased unplanned downtime, and may lead to insurance premium savings. 

(see the full case study here)

A major stainless steel producer faced significant reliability issues with the hydraulically operated slab tongs in their continuous slab caster. The hydraulic system was experiencing several problems despite running on a premium water glycol (HFC) fire-resistant fluid: 

• Reduced pump life
• Numerous valve malfunctions
• High fluid temperatures (>65°C) leading to separation of hydraulically operated slab tongs

These issues led to frequent downtime and increased maintenance costs, hampering the company’s efficiency.

Quaker Houghton proposed switching from the water glycol (HFC) fluid to QUINTOLUBRIC® 888-46, a polyol ester-based (HFD-U) fluid, for its superior lubrication, reduced maintenance and biodegradability. Despite the higher upfront cost, the overall reduction in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) made it a wise financial choice. 

Before the hydraulic-fluid trial was complete, the results convinced the customer to convert both systems to QUINTOLUBRIC® 888-46. After one year, the outcomes were even better: 

• Zero hours unplanned downtime (compared to 4 hours per month)
• Reduced maintenance frequency for pumps and hydraulic components
• No separation, resulting in longer fluid life
• Extended valve life (0 replacements, compared to 30)
• Total Cost of Ownership reduced by 48% due to reduced downtime, maintenance, and component replacement.

Switching to QUINTOLUBRIC® 888 is straightforward, whether you currently use oil- or water-based hydraulic fluids. Its high fire resistance, outstanding biodegradability, and superior performance in extreme conditions can make your work easier, your shop safer, and your bottom line healthier.

Ready to start a conversation or have questions? Contact us by calling 1-844-945-2994 or emailing insidesales.support@quakerhoughton.com.