Contaminated hydraulic oil leads to increased wear, inefficient operation and, in the worst case, to a failure of the entire system. High precision particle counters from ARGO-HYTOS offer your company a reliable way to continuously monitor the cleanliness of the oil in your hydraulic systems.

Particle counters accurately measure the size and number of particles in the oil. This ensures that you can react to contamination at an early stage - long before damage can occur. The devices can be used flexibly - both in stationary systems and in mobile applications.

Thanks to particularly precise measured values, maintenance work can be planned in a targeted manner. This saves costs and also extends the service life of the components in your hydraulic systems.

This article provides you with a compact overview of the functionality and benefits of the ARGO-HYTOS particle counters. Find out everything you need to know about how our particle counters can be used to sustainably improve the performance and reliability of hydraulic systems and drives.

Why is oil cleanliness important in hydraulic systems?

In hydraulic systems, the cleanliness of the oil is crucial for reliable and efficient operation. Even the smallest impurities can have a significant impact, as they increase wear on pumps, valves and cylinders.

This wear not only leads to malfunctions, but in many cases also to premature component failure. Contaminated oil also causes flow losses and impairs the performance of the entire system.

Effects of contaminated oil

• Increased wear: Abrasive particles attack seals, bearings and surfaces.
• Malfunctions: Dirt particles block valves and restrict the mobility of actuators.
• Energy loss: Contamination caused by particles increases the flow resistance and leads to higher energy consumption.
• High repair costs: Premature damage to central components causes expensive downtimes and repairs.

High oil cleanliness significantly reduces these risks. Clean oil extends the service life of components and minimizes both the maintenance required and the costs. Clean oil also enables more stable performance - especially in applications with high pressures and accurate control requirements.

Industry standards such as ISO 4406 are used to ensure the required cleanliness. They classify the particle size and number that can be tolerated in the oil. Regular monitoring against these standards is essential to ensure the efficiency and longevity of hydraulic systems.

By using modern particle counters, filter technology and optimized fluid management, contamination can be precisely detected and controlled. This prevents breakdowns and ensures smooth operation. This is a decisive advantage for companies that depend on the reliable performance of their machines.

How does the OPCount particle counter from ARGO-HYTOS work?

The OPCount from ARGO-HYTOS uses the light extinction method to precisely measure particles in the hydraulic fluid. A beam of light is passed through the fluid. Particles that pass through the light beam cast a shadow on a photodiode. The intensity and duration of the light attenuation is analyzed to determine the size and number of particles.

This method is characterized by its high accuracy and reliability. The technology enables the detection of particle sizes in the range from ≥4 µm to 68 µm.

The OPCount measures the cleanliness classes of the hydraulic oil according to international standards such as ISO 4406, NAS 1638 and SAE AS 4059. These classifications provide a basis for assessing the degree of contamination and monitoring the oil quality. Both online and offline measurements are possible, allowing the OPCount to be flexibly adapted to different applications.

Online measurements enable continuous monitoring of the system directly in the pressure line. Offline measurements, for their part, allow detailed analysis from bottle samples or reservoirs.

Thanks to its versatility, the OPCount can be used in a wide variety of scenarios, such as the following:

• Checking hydraulic fluids before filling a system
• Monitoring during operation
• Quality inspection after filtration

The OPCount can also be used safely in high-pressure environments as it is designed for line pressures of up to 420 bar. The combination of precision, flexibility and robustness makes the OPCount a valuable measuring instrument for ensuring oil cleanliness. It also contributes to the long-term smooth operation of hydraulic systems.

What makes the OPCount particle counter so universal?

The OPCount was developed to enable reliable and precise monitoring of oil cleanliness in a wide range of applications. In hydraulic systems, it ensures continuous monitoring of the fluid condition by measuring particle sizes from ≥4 µm to 68 µm.

This makes the particle counter ideal for the reliable monitoring of hydraulic oils. These are subjected to heavy loads in pumps, valves and cylinders in continuous operation.

In construction and agricultural machinery, the OPCount enables the oil condition to be checked on site. Its robust design and the ability to take samples from pressure lines or reservoirs ensure reliable measurement results even under demanding conditions. In workshops, it can be used for preventive maintenance in order to react to potential contamination in good time.

In industrial processes, for example in pharmaceutical production or aviation, the OPCount ensures accurate monitoring of the hydraulic systems used. In these safety-critical areas, the particle counter minimizes the risk of component failure through real-time measurements and contributes to compliance with strict quality specifications. Thanks to its online and offline functionality, it can be integrated into pressure lines as well as used for manual analyses.

The technical flexibility of the OPCount allows seamless integration into existing systems. Among other things, this is achieved through connectivity via USB or external sensors. With maximum operating pressures of up to 420 bar, it is suitable for both mobile and stationary applications. This makes the particle counter a central component in your process monitoring and maintenance planning.

The advantages of the particle counter from ARGO-HYTOS for your company

The OPCount offers your company decisive advantages to increase the efficiency and reliability of your hydraulic systems. The early detection of impurities in the hydraulic fluid prevents costly breakdowns and unnecessary repairs. This significantly reduces operating costs, as maintenance measures can be planned in a targeted and forward-looking manner.

Precise monitoring helps to extend the service life of machines and systems. Components such as pumps, valves and cylinders are protected against abrasive wear, which increases reliability and operational capability. At the same time, the OPCount makes it easy to document the measurement results. The integrated printer and export options facilitate data processing and ensure complete traceability.

Optimizing your hydraulic systems together

The OPCount from ARGO-HYTOS is a reliable particle counter for the accurate monitoring of oil cleanliness in hydraulic systems. With its ability to detect contamination at an early stage, it makes a significant contribution to reducing operating costs and extending machine service life.

Its flexibility, ease of use and the possibility of seamless integration make it an indispensable tool. Companies that depend on reliable processes and high efficiency in particular benefit from it.

Accurate oil monitoring is not only a decisive factor for the performance, but also for the sustainability of machines. ARGO-HYTOS is continuously developing its technologies to provide companies with even smarter and more efficient solutions for oil cleanliness monitoring.

Would you like to find out more about ARGO-HYTOS hydraulic technology solutions or discuss a specific project with our experts? Then get in touch with us. We look forward to advising you in a personal meeting.