Notes on Scrapping Gas-Filled Hydraulic Components

Technician Safety Information

NOTES ON SCRAPPING GAS-FILLED HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS
Before being scrapped, unusable gas pressure shock absorbers, pressure reservoirs, accumulators and metallic impact absorbers must be Repressurized in accordance with the valid accident prevention regulations in each case. These safety measures are required because pressurized hydraulic parts can explode under the effects of heat. For example, the risk of explosion exists when scrapping with cutting torches, smelting or when gas filled parts are put on fires or smouldering fires on garbage dumps.

Scrapping gas-filled hydraulic parts can also be assigned to a scrap dealer who carries out the necessary safety measures. When accepting the material, the scrap dealer must sign a declaration (see sample) in which he undertakes to scrap gas filled hydraulic parts in accordance with the valid accident prevention regulations in each case.

However, in agreements of this type, it must be ensured that it is not possible to separate the shock absorbers from the scrap and pass them on for repair. They must therefore be made unusable for reprocessing by melons of damage. For this it is enough to strike the shock absorber tube on a hard edge, to dent it slightly with a hammer or squeeze it in a vise.

Do not bend the piston rod under any circumstances risk of accident

Should it not be possible to reach agreements with the scrap dealer to render gas-filled hydraulic parts safe, then you must carry out the specified safety measures yourself. Safety glasses and gloves must be worn to prevent accidents due to escaping gas and oil and to provide protection against drilling chips. The relief holes are to be drilled with the least possible feed rate. Collect any oil which leaks out.