Handling of Hydraulic Fluid in 55-Gallon Drums.

TM 1-1500-204-23-2 3-3. Handling of Hydraulic Fluid in 55-Gallon Drums. Correct storage and handling of hydraulic fluid is critical to ensure a supply of uncontaminated fluid for aircraft servicing. a. Storage. Store 55-gallon drums horizontally with the closures at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This prevents contaminating material from collecting around the top of the drum and around the closures. The drums should be placed in covered storage either under a roof or covered by a plastic sheet or tarpaulin. b. Cleaning. Prior to use or prior to standing the drum on end, the top of the drum should be thoroughly brushed with a stiff brush to remove all gross contaminating material. The top and particularly the closures should then be wiped with lintless rags saturated with hydraulic fluid MIL-H-5606, MIL-H-6083 or MIL-H-83282. c. Withdrawing Fluid from Drum. Fluid can be withdrawn from the drum using the following methods: CAUTION Use an apron, goggles, protective glasses, and protective gloves when working with solvents or hydraulic fluid as fluid can be absorbed into the skin. (1) Faucet. If small quantities of hydraulic fluid are to be used, a faucet may be installed in the 3/4-inch closure for use while the drum is in a horizontal position. The faucet must be thoroughly wiped with hydraulic fluid prior to use. Fluid should be permitted to flow for a short period to flush any contamination that may have accumulated in the faucet. CAUTION Prior to inserting pump in drum, the drum must be cleaned as per paragraph 3-3b. Prior to drawing off hydraulic fluid to be used in aircraft, a small amount of fluid must be flushed through the pump. Failure to comply may result in contamination of fluid, rendering it useless. (2) Pumps. If large quantities of hydraulic fluid are needed, the following new, thoroughly cleaned, hand- operated pumps may be used (See Chapter 1, Part 1, FM 10-69). NOTE It is necessary to clean even new pumps to prevent contamination of hydraulic fluid. Cleaning may be accomplished by pumping approximately 1 gallon of cleaning compound MIL-C-87936 through the pump. After draining the cleaning solvent completely, pump approximately 5 gallons of the appropriate hydraulic fluid through the pump. Thoroughly clean and wipe the portions of the pump to be installed in the 55- gallon drum with clean, lint-free rags saturated with the appropriate hydraulic fluid, before installing the pump in the drum. Dispensing pump, hand-driven, piston-type, self-measuring type, 1-quart-per-stroke. 12 GPM, hand-driven dispensing pump (100 cycles per minute). 15 GPM, piston-type, hand-driven dispensing pump with 20-foot hose (22 gallons per 100 revolutions). WARNING Never siphon by mouth. Ingestion of hydraulic fluid can cause sickness or be fatal. (3) Nozzles. The discharge nozzle end of the dispensing line shall be wiped clean prior to and after each use, and protected with a small piece of plastic food wrap and rubber band This procedure will eliminate contamination from entering the nozzle. d. Transporting Fluid to Aircraft. Hydraulic fluid may be transported from bulk storage to the aircraft in the following manner. 3-9