Examining your hydraulic cylinder for problems

The cylinder is one of the most important parts of your hydraulic system, and in order for your system to function properly you need to make sure that the cylinder functions properly. Regular examinations are required by any type of hydraulic system in order for you to find out if something is wrong with your system, and the cylinder should be one of the parts that you make sure to examine. To catch issues with your hydraulic cylinder early on and minimise malfunctions in your hydraulic system, there are a few things you should think about.

Examine the cylinder tube

One of the things you should make sure to examine regularly with your hydraulic cylinder is the cylinder tube. A lot of force is put on this cylinder tube to further it to other parts of your hydraulic system, and if something is wrong with it, the entire system can function more poorly. The most common sign of something being wrong with the cylinder tube is that it has become abnormally inflated and that the inflation doesn't go back after the system has been turned off. This means that you're operating with a too powerful cylinder for your cylinder tube and need to replace either the cylinder or the tube. Hire a mechanic focusing on hydraulic cylinder services to do a cylinder replacement. They will be able to tell you what size and type of cylinder you need for your system to function optimally.

Dirty hydraulic fluid

As you're examining your hydraulic system, you should check the hydraulic fluid for dirt and discolouration. If that's the case, it means your filters haven't done their job properly. Dirty hydraulic fluid can cause the entire system to function worse and it can also cause unnecessary wear to your hydraulic cylinder. Check the filters in the cylinder to find out if they have become clogged with dirt from the fluid. If that's the case, you'll need to clean or replace the filters immediately to avoid further strain being put on your cylinder.

Check for corrosion and cracks

You should also check all the seals on the cylinder to make sure there aren't any cracks or any corrosion on them. If there are cracks in them, you need to have them replaced right away. If you find corrosion on your cylinder seals, you might to think about what type of air the cylinder is being exposed to when it's operating. Poor air quality can increase corrosion on many parts of the hydraulic system, and you might want to consider getting a dehumidifier for your work place. 

For more information, contact Afkos Industries or a similar company.