Buying a hydraulic cylinder may not be the most expensive component replacement you will purchase, but when they fail, they will become the most important part. A hydraulic cylinder is not always an easily available replacement part to purchase, with custom sizes often taking up to three months to replace.
During this time, the equipment is down unless you had the foresight to have an additional cylinder made or if you keep extra standard sizes in your inventory. Since well-designed and manufactured cylinders can last for years, this often isn’t a priority or a good return on your investment. A better option is to maintain your cylinders and have one of the top hydraulic cylinder manufacturers in your contacts list if and when you need a replacement.
The Difference in Manufacturers
There are differences in hydraulic cylinder manufacturers. In general, look for companies with several years in business and a solid reputation of being able to complete custom cylinder orders to specifications.
Most companies will want to work with manufacturers that are in a close geographic location as the weight of these components can add to freight costs. However, when speed and quality of craftsmanship are a priority, paying higher in freight may be well worth the small increase in cost.
Turnaround Time
Some hydraulic cylinder manufacturers offer fast turnaround time or time from order to delivery. Typically, most companies will take six weeks to a few months for custom manufacturing and delivery, which is a long downtime for equipment.
There are some manufacturers that offer a four to a six-week window for delivery, which can cut the time equipment is down by a few weeks to two months or more. These companies also don’t charge extra for this speed, providing cost savings on the custom order while also minimizing downtime for equipment.
