suction strainer or not for splitter?

[Rusty4242]

Well, finally got the welding together of my splitter done. It's one heavy duty unit. Have to use my bx23 to lower it onto it's subframe. Question is, do I use a suction strainer in the oil tank (from Northern) or not? Some feel that it could lead to pump failure (by cavitation) if it gets plugged up, but with full tank it would be hard to check/clean. if all new and clean, shouldn't the canister type(Northern) oil filter be enough? Thanks, Larry

 

[RedDirt]

If I recall my hydraulics correctly the filter cleans the oil on the way out of the pump. The strainer cleans the oil on the way into the pump. If you keep your system clean you should not have any problem with the strainer clogging and it is low cost added protection for your pump. I'd add the strainer.

 

[R W]

Would definately use a strainer.

 

[Farmerford]

Cavitation can be a serious problem, but it can be avoided by purchasing a quality strainer that has a 3psi bypass valve and by putting a suction guage near the pump inlet. The commonly accepted vacuum limit to avoid cavitation for a gear pump is 3psi, so the guage just tells you when the strainer is clogged and the bypass has opened.

 

[RedDirt]

Can you normally hear when a pump is cavitating? A clicking/rattling sound?

I had a BeeGee gear pump on the back of my old D2 logging Cat and it would always cavitate when cold, even in the summer. As soon as the fluid heated up the clicking/cavitation noise went away. I ran that unit about 15 years with no problems and sold the Cat with it working fine. That old equipment with more forgiving tolerances and beefier castings could sure take abuse that modern equipment will not.