Section 13

Oil-coolers Page
Date
1
11.02

General
In a hydraulic system heat is generated due to
flow resistance in valves and other components.
Oil temperature rises until the heat generated
equals heat dissipated. In a system without
cooler (passive cooling) heat is carried away
through convection and radiation from the
components.
If the oil temperature reaches 60˚ C and
continues tto rise, an oil cooler should be fitted.
Lowering the oil temperature from 68˚ to 60˚ will
double the service life of seals and oil. Leading
pump and motor manufacturers do not
recommend oils with a viscosity below 10-12 cSt
due to their low lubrication qualities.
Air-oil-cooler
Oil colers are designed for different cooling
means, e g water, air. Mobile applications mostly
use air when the cooling capacity required is less
than 30 kW.
The fan of an air-oil-cooler can be driven by the
alternatives:
• Alternating current motor (AC)
• Direct current motor (DC)
• Hydraulic motor
The speed of electric motors can be controlled by
selecting the number of poles. For a hydraulic
motor the RPM is regulated by the flow setting.

A cooler shall be installed in the return line of the

When selecting an oil cooler it is necessary to
system. Oil temperature control can be achieved
determine the cooling capacity required. A
by fitting a thermostat for on-off control of the fan
conventional hydraulic system looses about 25%
motor. A different type of temperature control is
of the power input. Depending on pressure and
effected by the integrated thermo-bypass valve.
flow regulation this figure can be higher.

Air-oil-coolers can be mounted vertically or

horizontally.

The air-oil-cooler is
connected so as to cool
the system’s return oil.
Section 13
Page
Date
2
10.97
Oil-coolers

WHEN IS AN OIL COOLER NEEDED HYDRAULIC CONNECTION

If any of the following 5 criteria is fulfilled we When connecting an oil cooler with a bypass val-
recommend an oil cooler: ve in the return line it is important that the flow
direction is correct. See picture. The same con-
nections apply also for coolers without bypass
• Ambient temperature 26°C or more
valve due to the position of the thermoswitch.
• Oil flow 70 l/min or more
• Intensive use of crane (more than half the
time every hour)
• The crane has valve 91
• Remote Control

If more than one criterion is fulfilled an oil cooler

must be fitted.

FACTORY FITTED OIL COOLER

Certain HIAB cranes are equipped with a factory
fitted oil cooler as standard. For other cranes this
can be ordered separately.

The oil cooler can be ordered with or without a

bypass valve. We recommend this option if
pressure peaks occur due to cold starts or other
causes, also if flow is uneven.
Hydraulic symbol

When delivered from factory the cooler is cove-

red by a plate. This is a transport protection and
must be removed before delivery to the custo-
mer.

Without by-pass With by-pass

Technical data
• Air-oil-cooler, DC motor fan drive, 24V/12A
• Thermo switch, opening temperature 50˚C
• Attached connecting box with fuse, voltage
relay, terminals
• Weight 12 kg
• Bypass valve opening pressure 0,5 MPa
• Max oil pressure 1,4 MPa

Oil-coolers
ELECTRIC CONNECTION
Version 1:
The fan is driven by an electric motor. On the
cooler a connection box is mounted, containing a
built-in fuse (15 A) , (at 12 DC 25 Amp voltage)
relay and a terminal block. After removing the
cover, note the terminals to the left, intended for
connections.
A cable from the vehicle battery or other source is
to be fitted through the free conduit entry on the
box. Connect positive and negative wires as
shown in picture and wiring diagram.
Section 13
Page
Date
3
11.03
Version 2:
Starting at the end of 1999 factory fitted oil coolers
are provided with a ”smart drive” the object of
which is to start the fan when the hydraulic oil gets
warm. Starting the fan motor is done smoothly,
thereby avoiding voltage peaks in the electric
system.
If the crane is equipped with the SPACE system,
power supply to the oil cooler is arranged at the
factory. The supply cable is connected to the
existing power box.
In case the crane is not SPACE-equipped,
consequently no electrics factory fitted on the
crane, power supply to the cooler must be
connected by the body builder.
The power supply cable from the fan is to be
connected to a coupling box or straight to the
battery terminals.
If the oil cooler is not factory fitted it is
mandatory to fit a fuse between the
power source and the cooler.
For 24V fuse 15 Amp
For 12V fuse 25 Amp
GENERAL
If the crane is mounted on a
detachable console, see tab 15,
oil lines.