One of the major causes of hydraulic system failures iscontamination. Contamination can be from an external source such as dirt, dustor debris entering through cylinders, motors, or quick couplers causing damageto the pump and other components. It can also be caused from internalcontamination such as moisture, improper oil, or cavitation from blocked orplugged suction screens or filters. Cavitation, Aeration, Heat and Pressure arealso major factors in hydraulic system failures. Cavitation is caused when airmolecules are ingested into hydraulic oil from starvation of a pump or frommajor wear within a system. Aeration is usually caused by returning oil beingpoured directly back into the reservoir, causing disturbance, splashing, andfoaming of the oil. Heat from low oil levels, relief valve leakage, and worncomponents can also be contributing factors. One important thing in managing your hydraulic system functionality isto have oil serviced at regular intervals, such as every three months, everysix months or once a year depending on environment the hydraulic system is inand hours of operation that the hydraulic system is put through. Finally, havingoil sampled and tested for contamination and particulates of metal and otherimpurities can also help reduce and even eliminate costly system failures.