Simple Maintenance Checklist for Your Hydraulic Cylinder
Hydraulic cylinders are indispensable components of most hydraulic equipment used in construction sites and industrial facilities. The cylinder's function is to create mechanical force through a unidirectional stroke. The force created enables the hydraulic equipment to carry out various functions such as lifting, lowering, rotating and so on. That said, for a hydraulic cylinder to create enough force to enable the equipment to perform efficiently, it has to be in excellent condition at all times. Regularly maintaining and inspecting the cylinder and its components is the only way to ensure that it performs optimally. The following is a simple checklist that you can follow to maintain your hydraulic cylinder;
Inspect cylinder rods
Cylinder rods are critical components in hydraulic equipment. The rods attach to the piston which is tasked with creating mechanical force. Once the force is created, the rods transmit it to the machine part that is doing the lifting, lowering, rotating or another task. So, if your cylinder rods are not in good condition, the entire equipment can fail. You need to regularly inspect them for signs of wear or deterioration. Make sure that the rod is not bent as it will affect the performance of the cylinder. Damaged rods should be replaced immediately before they cause defects in other parts of the cylinder such as the seals.
Check the seals
Hydraulic machinery has various types of seals. There are the hydraulic rod seals which prevent fluid leaks from the cylinder to the outside and cylinder seals which prevent leakage across the cylinder head. Hydraulic fluid leakage can lead to malfunction since the amount left may not be adequate to transmit force to the moving parts. That's why you need to regularly check the seals and make sure that they don't show signs of wear. Also, they should be lubricated regularly to prevent friction. Finally, when replacing seals, make sure that they are compatible with the equipment. Using the wrong seals can be detrimental to the machine.
Review the workload
Hydraulic cylinders are designed to handle a certain amount of workload that you should not exceed. Once in a while, it is good to review the workload for the last few weeks and make sure that it is within the manufacturer's specifications. Overworking the cylinder can lead to premature wear of the piston, rods, seals, and bearings. Also, if you have recently replaced the cylinder, check to make sure that the right one is being used in the equipment to avoid malfunction due to an overload.
Follow this maintenance checklist every week to maximize the performance of your hydraulic cylinder. Contact an expert for professional inspection and repair of your hydraulic equipment.