3 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Hydraulic Cylinder

Typically, there will be warning signs your hydraulic cylinder will show if it’s going to go bad and fail. The ability to recognize these indicators can help you to avoid much larger, more costly problems. Obviously, a scheduled repair to your hydraulic cylinders is better than waiting until it fails and creates the need for an emergency fix or replacement. In this post, we will look at some of the signs that your hydraulic cylinder is going bad.

Your hydraulic cylinder is getting too hot.

Generally, your hydraulic cylinder should not reach a temperature over 80 degrees during normal operation. You should check your owner’s manual to see what the temperature guidelines are for your specific cylinder and regularly monitor it too ensure it is not getting too hot. If your cylinder is outside of the guidelines, this is a clear indication that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.

Your hydraulic cylinder is making concerning noises.

If you hear banging or knocking during operation, your hydraulic cylinder’s system probably has air bubbles in it which can cause compression and decompression outside of its capabilities. This can even result in fluid vaporizing, because there is not enough reaching the components necessary for operation. If you hear concerning noises, you should stop the machine right away or you risk causing serious, sometimes irreparable, damage.

You see an increase in your utility bill.

If your energy costs have increased without a change in your operation, your hydraulic cylinder may be becoming less efficient. This can happen if your hydraulic cylinder system is leaking, causing your pump and motor to work overtime to provide enough fluid.

Thankfully, hydraulic cylinders usually show signs of a problem before they fail completely. If you have any questions about hydraulic cylinder failure, do not hesitate to contact Best Metal Products, and we will do our best to assist you.