A worn seal is one of the most common causes of hydraulic cylinder leaks. The good news is that repairing your hydraulic cylinder seal isn’t expensive. The sooner you can recognize a hydraulic cylinder seal leak, the better.

Yates Industries specializes in hydraulic cylinder seal repairs. Keep reading to learn more about our repair services, or contact us today to request an estimate.

Choose Yates Industries for Your Repairs

Yates Industries is an ISO 9001-certified company. This means that we use the latest quality control methods and state-of-the-art techniques when evaluating and repairing hydraulic cylinder seals.

When you notice issues with your cylinder, we recommend opting for professional repairs rather than do-it-yourself attempts. Costly repairs can occur if you choose to repair the seal internally, or if you don’t have a certified technician disassemble, inspect, and reassemble your cylinder.

In addition to being ISO-certified, we also provide 24/7 repair services to ensure minimal downtime for you.

We Also Provide Hydraulic Seal Kits

Yates Industries is also one of the leading hydraulic seal kit suppliers in the United States. We offer five different types of seal kits, including:

• Standard Seals: Made of nitrile and intended to be used with air- and mineral-based hydraulic oils
• Loaded Lip Seals: Ideal for low-pressure applications because of their durability. They are most commonly used for hydraulic cylinders in construction, automation, and manufacturing.
• Fluorocarbon Seals: Resistant to high temperatures and chemicals. As a result, they are the ideal choice for high-pressure applications. We offer these seals in a wide variety of sizes.
• Cast Iron Piston Rings: Used in heavy shock automation and construction applications.
• Low-Friction Seals: Delicately calibrated to provide the perfect balance of friction to optimize the cylinder’s performance.

What Is a Hydraulic Cylinder Seal?

Before we talk about our repair process, it’s important to first understand what a hydraulic cylinder seal does.
Hydraulic cylinder seals perform an essential function: they prevent fluid from leaking out while keeping contaminants out. Keeping the fluid clean and sealed is critical to a cylinder’s inner workings.

Hydraulic seals are usually soft and non-metallic, and can be made of varying materials, like polyurethane and rubber. The type of material the seals are made from depends on the demands of the operating system, including fluid type, temperature, and pressure.

Types of Hydraulic Cylinder Seals

There are two primary types of hydraulic cylinder seals: those that protect the parts in motion (static seals) and those that don’t (dynamic seals).

Each dynamic seal protects a specific part of the hydraulic cylinder’s internal workings. There are five different kinds of dynamic seals:

• Rod Seals: Keep the rod from corroding, lubricate the wiper seal, and regulate the fluid film that extends with the rod’s surface.
• Piston Seals: Prevent fluid from passing the piston by acting as a barrier to the pressure. They also help the piston maintain its position.
• Buffer Seals: As the name suggests, these seals act as a buffer against fluctuations in fluid pressure.
• Wiper Seals: Prevent external contaminants from entering the cylinder assembly.

How Do You Replace a Hydraulic Cylinder Seal?

Replacing a hydraulic cylinder seal can be a challenge if you don’t have the right tools, are not familiar with the assembly and disassembly process, or are unsure of what to look for as you take apart the pieces.

If your hydraulic leak was not discovered shortly after it first started, there’s a strong possibility of additional damage inside the hydraulic cylinder assembly. If you replace the hydraulic cylinder seal without fixing the internal problem, you will likely face more expensive repairs, and you may even have to replace the entire cylinder.

Before we perform any hydraulic cylinder seal repairs, we inspect all of the components inside your assembly for damage and report our findings to you so you can decide the proper course of action.

If you opt to replace the seal on your own, the process is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools. Replacement steps include:

1. Release pressure.
2. Remove gland from the cylinder.
3. Remove and inspect parts. Be sure to place them in a location that’s free of debris and other contaminants.
4. Replace any seals.
5. Reassemble and lubricate the components.
6. Test your cylinder.

Request Professional Seal Repair Services From Yates Industries Today

If you’re looking for ISO-certified hydraulic cylinder seal repair services, turn to Yates Industries. We’ve been successfully replacing hydraulic cylinder seals since 1972, and we’re available 24/7. Fill out our online form today to get started with an estimate.