Hydraulic lubricant is perhaps the most important material for keeping hydraulic systems and equipment in good order. Without a ready supply of uncontaminated lubricant, hydraulic systems can lose vital power, create dangerous amounts of friction and heat at vital areas, and potentially spring leaks or even break down entirely. As such, you'll want to make sure that your hydraulic oils are stored in safe, robust containers until they need to be used -- fortunately, lubricant and grease packaging manufacturers offer a wide array of packaging choices, keeping your lubes safe and giving you a number of application options.
Grease gun cartridges
These grease cartridges are tightly sealed and pressurised, and are available in a number of sizes designed to fit in a wide variety of grease applicator guns. The sealed cartridge keeps your lubricants free of contamination by dirt, moisture, and other natural hazards. Choose this type of lubricant packaging if you need to apply small amounts of lubricant to sensitive, hard-to-reach areas, as the use of a grease gun with a narrow nozzle allows lubricant to be applied in narrow streams to corners and moving surfaces, while giving you added reach to keep your hands free of dangerous moving parts.
Lubricant bottles
These bottles are available in a number of sizes, ranging from small hand-held bottles to large, drum-like containers designed for large-scale lubricant storage. This choice of packaging is usually very cheap and readily available, and until they are opened for the first time they are tightly sealed against outside contaminants. As such, they can be used for a variety of purposes: smaller bottles can be used to pour lubricant directly into reservoirs and pistons, while larger bottles can be used with swabs, pipettes and other small applicators.
Bear in mind, however, that bottles lose their hermetic seal once opened, and while most lubricant bottles feature rubber gaskets around their neck to minimise post-opening contamination they will still need to be stored in a clean, cool area. This is especially important if you choose bottles with applicator caps, which are very convenient but more likely to break and allow lubricants to become contaminated.
Lubricant aerosols
Lubricating external components of hydraulic machinery, such as visible pistons and motor components, can be difficult. Aerosol sprays are an excellent way to make this job easier, dispensing lubricants in narrow cones of air-suspended lubricant particles which form a thin, even film of lubricant over sensitive areas. These aerosol sprays are an excellent way to avoid over-application of lubricants, which can be expensive and cause mechanical malfunction. They also remain tightly sealed even after being used, so as long as the spray nozzle is suitably protected, your lubricants are safe from contamination. Storing these aerosols properly is very important, however, as excessive heat can cause aerosol cans and guns to rupture violently.
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