Section 12
Hydraulic oils
Oil specification for HIAB products
There are many requirements on the properties of
the oil
in a hydraulic system. Among these are:
- lubricating capability
- resistance to oxidization
- protection against corrosion
- nonfoaming properties
- high viscosity index, i e small viscosity change
when heated
In order to fulfill these and other requirements there
are chemical additives in a good hydraulic oil.
Specification
Standard
Hydraulic oil that is approved by Hiab will comply
with one of the following standards or equivalents:
- DIN 51524 part 3
- SS 15 54 34
- SS-EN ISO 6743-4 group HV
Suppliers of hydraulic oil must verify that the quality
and performance meets the standards above
Viscosity
When selecting hydraulic oils the viscosity range
should always be observed. Hydraulic oils should be
selected so that the max viscosity 1500 cSt is not
exceeded at cold-start. In addition the min viscosity
should not fall below 13 cSt during operation.
Hydraulic oil should be selected so that the viscosity
lies between 16 och 40 cSt during normal operating
conditions. Oil temperature must be controlled to
stay below the Max permitted temperature.
Consideration should also be given to the pump
manufacturers recommendations.
Temperature
To ensure a long oil life you should observe the
following Max temperatures.
Max permitted temperature of hydraulic oil -
- mineral oil with a viscosity index (VI) < 275
70°C (158F)
- mineral oil with a viscosity index (VI) > 275
60°C (140F)
- Ester based synthetic hydraulic fluids
60°C (140F)
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Example
Examples of recommended mineral oils and their
temperature range are shown in diagram page 3.
Examples of recommended Ester based synthetic
hydraulic fluids and operating temperatures are
shown in diagram page 4.
The viscosity index (VI) for the oils are shown in
the respective tables. VI is required to determine the
max permitted temperature for mineral oil.
Some mineral oils (extremely high VI) deviate
slightly from this standard. However this deviation
only affects the flash point and/or a smaller
deviation from the permitted viscosity range.
Environmentally Friendly Oil
The environmentally friendly oils recommended by
Hiab are Ester based synthetic hydraulic fluids
(synthetic ester).
Note! Vegetable oils do not meet Hiab’s demands
and must not be used.
Warning
Do not mix different oils. In general, a mixture
will change oil properties, mostly for the worse.
Change of hydraulic oil
For oil change, the following is recommended:
- Make sure that all cylinders are retracted
- Drain the oil tank completely
- Change the return filter
- Fill up with new oil
- Check air filter in oil tank cap.
Section 12
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Hydraulic oils
Changing to biodegradable oil
To obtain the best results, the percentage of the
mineral oil left in the system should not exceed
2%.
The ”Changing to biodegradable oil” –procedure
also applies to new systems because the crane will
have been tested with mineral oil at the factory.
Safety
• Suitable eye and hand protection must be worn
whilst carrying out this operation.
• Ensure suitable containers to hold the amount
oil you will be draining are available before
starting this operation.
Environment
• Ensure oil waste oil is disposed of safely and in
accordance with any local environmental
regulations.
Procedure
If the complete system is new and the oil tank
hasn’t been filled, start at item 5.
1. Operate the crane for a while to warm the oil.
fold the crane. Take care that the temperature of
the oil does not exceed the point where you can
handle it safely. If this occurs allow the oil to
cool before moving to the next step.
2. Drain the oil tank. Make sure the system
contains as little oil as possible.
3. Clean the oil tank carefully from oil and
contamination. On older systems with heavy
contamination, it may be necessary to remove
the oil tank and flush out with a suitable
flushing agent.
4. Change all oil filters.
5. Fill the system with the new oil to a level
enough to run the crane. Take into consideration
the system is empty. The oil volume must be
enough to fill the system and reach and
maintain the minimum level in the tank. The
pump must be able to get oil without a problem.
Run the system up to normal temperature and
operate all hydraulic functions.
6. Fold the crane.
7. Drain the oil tank again. Make sure the system
contains as little oil as possible.
8. Fill the tank with new oil. Operate the crane
through all functions and park again. Check and
top up the oil tank to the max level on the tank
gauge.
Items 5,6 and 7 must be repeated in most cases
to ensure the amount of mineral oil not exceeds
2%. See examples below.
9. Change all oil filters after not more than 50
hours operation, following the oil change
procedure.
Note
Synthetic esters can dissolve old contamination. If
the performance of the crane appears to deteriorate
before the oil filter change (9), inspect the filters
and change if necessary.
Examples:
An H220 with 200 (52.8 GAL) litres of oil in a
separate tank and approximately 65 (17.2 GAL)
litres in the crane:
Two oil changes are required at 200 (52.8 GAL)
litres each. This means 400 (105.7 GAL) litres of
waste oil and the system will have approximately
1,2% mineral oil left.
An H095 with a 70 (18.5 GAL) litre crane mounted
oil tank and approximately 35 (9.2 GAL) litres in
the crane:
Three oil changes are required at 70 (18.5 GAL)
litres each. This means 210 (55.5 GAL) litres of
waste oil and the system will have approximately
1,1% mineral oil left.
 Section 12
Hydraulic oils Page
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Mineral oil - Oil temperature °C (F) with consideration of a viscosity Min 13 cSt,
Max 1500 cSt. Recommended viscosity 16-40 cSt.

100
-40

-30

-20

-10

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90
VI

0
331 BP Energol HFV-LT *1)

153 BP Bartran HV 32

152 BP Bartran HV 46

194 Mobil Flowrex SHS 32

197 Mobil Flowrex SHS 46

152 Mobil Flowrex SH 68

356 OKQ8 Hindemith LT

182 OKQ8 Handel 32

OKQ8 Handel 46
188

Shell Tellus Arctic 32 *1)

350

Shell Tellus TX 32
180

151 Shell Tellus T68

368 Statoil Hydraulic oil 131 *1)

149 Statoil Hydraway HVXA 46

140 Statoil Hydraway HVXA 68

154 Texaco Rando HDZ 46

Max temperature
60°C (140 F) Max. permitted
temperture for oil with VI>275

Rec. working temperature

70°C (158 F) Max. permitted temperature

Min. temperature
 Section 12
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Hydraulic oils

Syntetic hydraulic oil based on ester - Oil temperature °C (F) with consideration of a
viscosity Min 13 cSt, Max 1500 cSt. Recommended viscosity 16-40 cSt.

100
-40

-30

-20

-10
VI

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90
0
186 BP Biohyd SES 46

153 Mobil EAL Syndraulic 46

185 OKQ8 Holbein Bio Plus

184 Shell Naturell Fluid HFE 46

188 Shell Naturell Fluid HFE 68

184 Statoil Hydraway bio PA 46

60°C (140 F) Max. permitted temperature

Max temperature

Rec. working temperature

Min. temperature

Hydraulic oils
Factors affecting oil temperature
Speed regulation in a hydraulic system causes a great
deal of energy loss, i e heat generation. This heat is
absorbed and transported by the oil, the temperature of
which gradually rises the longer the crane is operated.
The temperature rise decreases until a state of balance
is reached.
HIAB cranes are as standard delivered with an oil tank
having a volume permitting an adequate heating time
for normal ambient temperatures and service
conditions. Should the ambient temperature be high
and/or crane operation intense, oil temperature
problems could arise. Particularly for small cranes it is
possible to lengthen the time for oil heating by means
of exchanging the tank for a larger one.
When the oil temperature for long service periods
exceeds 70° C (158 F) the crane is to be fitted with an
oil cooler.
Section 12
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01.00
Oxidation stability
Because of high temperature in the hydraulic system
oil quality can deteriorate due to oxidation.
Oxidation products increase oil viscosity and may
cause rust on metal surfaces.
High oxidation stability will prolong oil life and
reduce the quantity of sludge built up. At
temperatures below 60º C (140 F) oxidation is fairly
slow but will accelerate as temperature rises. A rule
of thumb says that oil service life is reduced by one
half for every 10 degrees above 60º C (140 F).
oil service life
60° 70° 80° 90° 100°
140 158 176 194 212 F
oil temperature
General
Keep the hydraulic system clean.
Store the oil in a clean place and make sure lids or
cap are closed. When filling the crane oil tank, a
clean funnel with a fine mesh strainer should be
used.
Always keep clean rags or preferably, high quality
drying paper for workshop use near at hand.
Keep funnels and strainers in a clean and dustfree
place.
Make sure that the operator is aware of the
importance of cleanliness for the hydraulic system.
Before removing hydraulic components, thoroughly
clean adjacent parts of the crane with steam or a
grease remover.