Key safety measures for storing a standard hydraulic cylinder

If you own a set of hydraulic cylinders, then you are required to take some precautions. It is vital that you store a standard hydraulic cylinder in a standard way so as to eliminate all risks and to ensure its longevity. Many cylinder owners are clueless as to how to store them so as to make sure that they do not break down or suffer from any internal or external damage. While your supplier can suggest you some basic points from www.hc-hydraulic-cylinder.com regarding storage, here are a few noteworthy things you should also keep in mind:

i.                    Indoor storing: If you wish to avoid or minimize your expenses of hydraulic cylinder maintenance, then it is crucial that you provide indoor storing to the product. Also, make sure that the area is clean and completely dry. Storing it in an area which is wet or exposed to climatic vagaries is certainly not a great idea. Also, make sure the cylinder is completely retracted when you are storing it. 

ii.                  Chrome protection: You also need to take sufficient care of the hydraulic cylinder parts. For instance, it is recommended that you do protect the chrome-exposed area on the rod instead of giving it full exposure. Denso tape can be used safely for such a purpose. These tapes are smeared with oil and hence form a strong protective covering. But again, before you paste these tapes, you got to check that the rod is entirely retracted. If it’s not, then the likelihood of damage increases. 

iii.                Grease smearing: Several hydraulic cylinder parts can be smeared with grease. Chief such parts that warrant such protection are bearings and bushes for eye or clevis. In case, the parts are made of steel, then grease-smearing becomes all the more important.

iv.                Filling with oil: It is recommended that you fill your standard hydraulic cylinder with oil. There are a few points that you need to comprehend in this matter. Oil, here, is not a compulsion, since many people also use air for filling the cylinder. However, if you do that, you got to ensure that the air is completely dry and moisture-free. If the air is laden with moisture, then it can result in rusting especially if the parts are made of steel (which is so in usual cases). Rust formation will affect the volume and diameter of the tube or the rod. It shall not just have an impact on the functioning and efficiency of the cylinder but can also cause some damage or seal failure. But again, even though oil is preferable and recommended, there are some precautions that you need to take. You must do the computation to ensure that in case of temperature fluctuation, the oil does not put too much pressure inside. Also, it is vital to fill the oil only when the cylinder is completely retracted and using rod-end port. This precaution eliminates risk of damage due to intensification of pressure. 

Despite these basic precautions, you may require hydraulic cylinder maintenance for things outside your control. In such a case, consult an expert and get your hydraulic cylinder parts examined thoroughly. Click here to know more about hydraulic cylinder parts and its maintenance.