In the high-stakes world of marine operations, your hydraulic system is the lifeblood of daily functionality. From controlling winches and cranes to stabilisers and steering systems, hydraulic power is critical to keeping vessels operational. However, breakdowns at sea can be catastrophic — leading too costly downtime, safety hazards, and logistical nightmares.
The good news? With the right maintenance strategy, you can significantly extend the life of your marine hydraulic system, reduce unplanned repairs, and maintain peak efficiency.
1. Conduct Regular Inspections and Preventative Maintenance
Routine inspection is your first line of defence. A proactive schedule helps identify wear and tear before it evolves into major damage. Focus on:
- Checking hoses and fittings for leaks or abrasion
- Monitoring hydraulic fluid levels and cleanliness
- Ensuring connections are secure and properly torqued
- Identifying unusual vibrations, sounds or changes in system responsiveness
Did You Know? Contaminated hydraulic fluid is responsible for up to 80% of system failures in hydraulic equipment. A clean system is a healthy system.
2. Use the Correct Hydraulic Fluid
Hydraulic fluid is more than just a power conductor — it lubricates components, dissipates heat, and protects against corrosion. Using the wrong fluid (or neglecting fluid replacement) can cause extensive internal damage.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended fluid type
- Avoid mixing different hydraulic fluids
- Replace fluid at regular intervals to prevent contamination
3. Install and Maintain High-Quality Filters
Filtration is essential to prevent contamination by dirt, salt, metal particles and moisture — all common in marine environments. Your filtration system must be:
- Appropriately sized for the system’s flow rate
- Replaced regularly according to usage
- Supported by breathers or desiccant filters in moisture-heavy zones
4. Protect Against Saltwater and Moisture Ingress
The marine environment is harsh. Saltwater, humidity and condensation can wreak havoc on hydraulic components. Combat this by:
- Using corrosion-resistant materials (e.g. stainless steel or marine-grade alloys)
- Installing protective covers or enclosures
- Applying anti-corrosion coatings
5. Partner with Experienced Marine Hydraulic Specialists
Routine maintenance is one thing — knowing how to troubleshoot and overhaul under pressure is another. Partnering with specialists like DMA Hydraulics & Pneumatics ensures:
- Diagnostic accuracy
- Access to genuine high-performance components
- Custom solutions tailored to harsh marine conditions
With over 30 years of experience, DMA Hydraulics & Pneumatics is trusted by clients across the marine and offshore industries for delivering dependable, cost-effective solutions. Our team is committed to integrity, reliability and precision, backed by advanced troubleshooting tools and a customer-first mindset.
Whether it’s preventative maintenance or a complete rebuild, we’re here to keep your systems running smoothly.
