Used Hydraulic Cylinder - Important Tips Before PurchaseI have been working for almost 20 years selling hydraulic cylinders. Before I started that job, I had no idea about them. What I have learned I will attempt to share with you here, especially where and when a used hydraulic cylinder can be a benefit. Many companies that sell or deal in equipment sales and service will eventually use a hydraulic cylinder somewhere. The main components are the barrel, rod, gland, packing, piston and rod clevis. What you want to be careful of with a used cylinder is that it has the same bore and stroke as the one you are using now. The bore is basically the interior diameter of the cylinder as it relates to the diameter of the rod. It is not a good thing to have two interacting cylinders (like the brake cylinders on your car) that have different bores. They will act differently and not work well together. Now when you call, you will probably get pitched for a new unit or, if offered, a remanufactured cylinder. This is where you can be pro-active and ask if there is a used hydraulic cylinder available. It may surprise you that a used one may be purchased for as much as 50% of new cost. That saving adds up, especially in the present economic situation we find ourselves in. Aside from the components, what else needs to be considered? Well, I am glad you asked because there are a few items that are important here.
If the used hydraulic cylinder has not been stored with oil in the barrel, the rod may be scored inside the cylinder. If this is the case, when the rod is actuated, the pits in the rod will tear up the gland seals and cause a leak or worse, a total failure. Again if the rod has not been retracted all the way in during storage, the same thing can happen. Pitted rod and torn seals on the first operation. Also, this leaves the rod out to dry and lose the thin coating of oil that keeps it sliding through the seals and packing properly. On the rod, there will most likely be a clevis. This is the part that will hold the rod end of the cylinder to the machine it is mounted on. There will also be a pin that goes through that clevis. Be sure that clevis or rod end is there. You may have a hard time finding one later. In that rod end clevis, there are two holes for the pin that holds the cylinder on. Sometimes, there is a bushing or a radial bearing inside the pin holes. If this is the case, be sure you get those with a used hydraulic cylinder as well or at least know what they are if you need them later. |