Is your hydraulic cylinder acting up and operating erratically? It could be damaged or simply worn out. Well, here's a fact for you- hydraulic cylinders are susceptible to wear-and-tear and are likely to develop mechanical issues with time, just like other machines. But, before you throw out and replace your cylinder for inefficiency, consider getting it repaired or rebuilt by an expert. If you are not sure how to spot problems, look out for these signs.

Common indicators of Hydraulic Cylinder Problems

Ignore the signs below indicate that your hydraulic cylinder has problems and needs immediate attention:

1. Strange, loud noises. Your hydraulic cylinder is not supposed to produce strange loud noises. If you hear them, damages are imminent. In most cases, strange noises result from aeration. Aeration happens when the fluid in your hydraulic cylinder gets contaminated by air. 

2. Reduced performance. When your hydraulic cylinder has a problem, operations become significantly slower. And, as operations slow down, performance is affected. This problem is often caused by excess friction or internal leakage in the hydraulic cylinder. 

3. Juddering movements. Hydraulic cylinders in good condition are supposed to operate smoothly. When yours starts producing jerky or juddering movements frequently, call an expert for troubleshooting. Juddering movements in hydraulic cylinders mainly result from increased friction caused by inadequate lubrication, worn-out seals, or a broken rod.

4. Spiking energy bills. A faulty cylinder drains more power than usual. You are likely to notice this symptom from an alarming spike in your fuel consumption or electricity bills. If this describes your situation, call an expert to check your cylinder for external and internal leaks or other issues.

5. Overheating. Hydraulic cylinder manufacturers outline specific prescribed temperature limits in the manual or on the equipment itself. And, although some cylinders heat up considerably, their temperatures shouldn't go beyond the outlined limits. Therefore, when you notice unusually high temperatures affecting your cylinder, then something abnormal is underway. A cylinder in excellent condition should be able to regulate and operate within the prescribed temperature ranges.

Hydraulic Cylinder Repair and Rebuilding

It's rare to find a hydraulic cylinder that is too damaged to be repaired. However, some uninformed owners are known to do away with their cylinders as soon as they notice a problem. That is unwise because repair and rebuilding services are available. Repairing and rebuilding a damaged hydraulic cylinder spares you the headache of dealing with inefficient performance and costly replacements. Plus, as an expert repairs a specific issue, they can identify others and resolve them to ensure your cylinder serves you seamlessly for a long time.

If you run into these negative signs, reach out to hydraulic cylinder rebuild companies.