A hydraulic cylinder is pushed to its limits in demanding environments—like mining sites—where it’s exposed to heavy loads, dirt, and potential impacts. These conditions put stress on the cylinder and its seals, making regular seal replacement and servicing essential. Maintaining and refurbishing a hydraulic cylinder in use can significantly extend its lifespan.
How often a hydraulic cylinder needs servicing largely depends on the operating environment and workload. The harsher the conditions, the more frequently maintenance should be done. Routine servicing not only helps prevent failure but also offers several other benefits, which we’ll cover in this article. It’s recommended to follow the service intervals set by the equipment manufacturer, usually specified in operating hours. Even if there are no visible signs of wear or damage, servicing is still worthwhile.
Regular hydraulic cylinder maintenance
1. Reduces Safety Risks
Even though a hydraulic cylinder is usually inspected alongside the rest of the machine, you can never overinvest in safety. Serious accidents can happen if a damaged cylinder is used to lift heavy loads without anyone noticing a drop in lifting capacity due to a neglect of maintenance. Regular servicing helps protect not just the operator but everyone around the equipment.
2. Extends Cylinder Lifespan
Routine maintenance helps prevent wear and tear from turning into major damage. Staying on top of service intervals means you’re more likely to catch issues early—and that makes each service quicker and easier. Extensive repairs are always more complex and time-consuming.
3. Saves Money
Regular maintenance helps avoid serious failures that can be expensive to fix. While it might seem cheaper to stretch out service intervals, in the long run, preventative maintenance is usually the more affordable option.
4. Better for the Environment
Keeping a hydraulic cylinder running smoothly with routine servicing is the more sustainable choice. You’ll get more life out of your equipment and reduce the need for replacements, which helps cut down on waste and resource use.
5. Keeps Work Flowing Smoothly
A well-maintained cylinder means fewer unexpected breakdowns—and fewer interruptions to the job. Reactive repairs take more time than routine servicing, so keeping your gear in top condition keeps your operations running on schedule.
If a hydraulic cylinder suffers serious damage in the middle of a job, it can cause unnecessary stress and urgency—and in the worst case, delay the entire project. That’s why it’s smarter to schedule regular maintenance and condition checks, so any issues can be anticipated and addressed in advance.
