You’ve had a solid run with your equipment. It’s been reliable for years, but now one of your hydraulic cylinders is lagging, showing slow movements, fluid leaks, and inconsistent pressure. At this point, every plant manager asks the same thing: Should we repair or replace?
It’s not always a clear-cut answer, but we can help you make the smart call.
What Repair Can Solve (And Save)
Let’s start with the good news. Most hydraulic maintenance issues don’t call for full replacement.
If the cylinder is leaking at the seals, the rod is slightly scored, or the internal pressure is weak but consistent, repair is often the smartest route. We can rebuild, reseal, and machine parts as needed to restore function, without the downtime and cost of a full replacement.
Plus, with our in-house gearbox repair and gear manufacturing capabilities, we don’t outsource precision work. That keeps timelines short and standards high.
When Replacement Makes More Sense
Some signs tell us it’s time to move on. Cracks in the barrel. Severely bent rods. Recurring failures in the same component, even after service.
If the repair cost approaches 50–60% of replacement, or if the cylinder is tied to production loss, replacement is often the more cost-effective move long term.
Plus, sometimes, updated cylinders offer better efficiency than older ones. That’s especially true if the equipment has seen hard service over the years.
Don’t Forget What’s Around the Cylinder
Hydraulic issues aren’t always about the cylinder itself.
We often see damage caused by misaligned mounting, contaminated fluid, or failing gearbox components nearby. That’s why we always look at the full system before making a call.
Proper hydraulic maintenance means diagnosing what caused the issue in the first place, not just fixing the part that failed.
Key Questions We Ask Before We Decide
We always walk our clients through a few core questions:
- How old is the cylinder, and how many repairs has it had?
- Are we seeing symptoms elsewhere in the hydraulic system?
- What’s the downtime risk if it fails again?
- How fast can we source replacement parts or custom-make them?
Our in-house gear manufacturing allows us to turn around custom or obsolete parts that might otherwise delay a replacement. That flexibility gives our clients options they wouldn’t get elsewhere.
We’ll Help You Choose What’s Smart—Not Just What’s Easy
We’ve been in this business a long time. We don’t upsell. We don’t guess. We troubleshoot, inspect, and advise based on real-world experience.
Sometimes that means rebuilding a 20-year-old cylinder to buy you another 5 years. Other times, we’ll tell you straight, it’s time to replace and move on.
Either way, we’re here to give you options you can trust.
Let’s Keep That Equipment Running Strong
Don’t gamble on a failing cylinder. Bring it to Hanson Gear Works, and we’ll tell you exactly what you’re dealing with, fast, honest, and backed by decades of repair and gearbox experience.
Call now for an inspection or quote in Houston. We’re ready when you are.
