Repairing a Hydraulic Component
As with anything, repairs can be made to bring back use to a faulty hydraulic part. In some cases, repairing one small component can save the life of the equipment and nip major expense in the bud before it really takes hold. Replacing an entire cylinder, pump or motor could prove to be costly, with repairing them being a preferred economic option.
Of course, the more costly a component is, the more savings a repair can make. However, the expense of a hydraulic repair will depend upon:
· How severe the damage or erosion of the component
· Whether there are the facilities and skill available to deal with the damage
Most often processes that are used in the repair of hydraulic parts are:
- Grinding
- Honing
- Machining
- Hard-chrome plating
Being able to apply these techniques skilfully can make all the difference as to whether new components are required.
Considering Aftermarket Components
In some cases, hydraulic parts can be sourced from an aftermarket or secondary supplier as opposed to approaching the OEM for a replacement. They can be found manufactured by a variety of companies with variable levels of quality.
This last point is one of the most important to consider when seeking a replacement part. In the long run, a part that is not well made could do the opposite of saving your budget and prove to be very costly.
Only use a replacement aftermarket component when you know that:
- It’s produced by a proven and credible company and has a reputation of excellent performance and service life
- It comes complete with a warranty period
If your part does not come backed by the company and it isn’t known for being a quality part, then you could be running yourself into trouble.