5 Reasons Why a Hydraulic Cylinder Won’t Work

Hydraulic cylinder failure causes downtime in operations. This situation is not only inconvenient in terms of maintenance but also takes time to troubleshoot the problem.

Being aware of the most common issues related to operating hydraulic cylinders can help prevent problems from occurring and keep systems running smoothly. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the reasons why a hydraulic cylinder won't work.

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Reasons Why Hydraulic Cylinders Stop Working:

1. A seal is worn or damaged

Seals gradually degrade over time and if not replaced hydraulic fluid leaks might occur. Due to insufficient fluid in the system, cylinders may become erratic in movement causing instability. Additionally, worn seals can cause misalignment between the cylinder rod and seal, causing the cylinder to operate inefficiently.

2. Lack of system pressure

To safeguard the hydraulic system, a hydraulic relief valve is used to regulate the pressure. One of the main reasons why a hydraulic cylinder won't work can be due to the system pressure or flow from the pump, being too low due to worn components. This can be solved by checking system pressure regularly.

3. The cylinder is damaged

A damaged cylinder can result in reduced system performance, loss of hydraulic pressure, fluid contamination, and fluid leakage, all of which can prevent it from working. Therefore, it is important to perform regular maintenance and inspections to ensure cylinders are in good working condition.

4. The cylinder rod is bent

A typical reason why a hydraulic cylinder is not working is due to a bent rod. Which has occurred due to its operation or abuse. Or if it is impacted by heavy objects or machinery, this can cause damage to the cylinder rod.

If you notice any signs of wear or deformation in the rod, it is important to replace it right away. This is not just to fix the problem, but also to make sure it does not cause any accidents or damage to your equipment.

5. Hose failure

The purpose of hydraulic hoses is to allow hydraulic fluid to flow from one component to another. Hoses are the means by which fluid is transferred freely and keeps vital parts of hydraulics systems moving. A damaged hose, results in leaking pressurised fluid. This can result in a loss of pressure in the hydraulic system, which can cause equipment to malfunction or stop working altogether. It is important to regularly inspect hydraulic hoses for signs of wear or damage.

In summary, the simplest way to avoid problems with a hydraulic cylinder is to perform regular inspection, and servicing, which can reduce the requirement for expensive repairs and downtime.
If you would like any advice on sourcing replacement metal parts or seals for your hydraulic ram, please contact our helpful and knowledgeable team today.

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