Rings, Rings And More Rings: Why So Many Hydraulic Seals Look Alike And How To Tell Them Apart

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If someone handed you a large box filled with all kinds of hydraulic seals, would you be able to tell what is what? At first glance, most hydraulic seals all look alike; they are round, usually rubbery or flexible and closely resemble vacuum belts, but in different sizes and colors. Yet, each kind and each size does something different and has a different job to do in and around a hydraulic cylinder. If you are certain that you could never pass a hydraulic seal identification test, then you need the following information for study purposes.

Wiper Seals

These hydraulic seals are round like all of the rest, but they have an extra "lip" of rubber running around one side and one edge of each seal. When installed properly over the end of a cylinder, the extra "lip" does just what you would expect a wiper to do--wipe. Similar to a windshield wiper on a car, the extra "lip" scrapes excess lubricant and/or fluid off of the cylinder as the cylinder draws back out of the rod. This keeps the fluid or lubricant from dripping all over the ground/floor or other components underneath the hydraulic components, thereby preventing work-related accidents, eco-damage and/or damage to other parts of the machine.

Wear Rings

Just as the name suggests, wear rings are a type of hydraulic seal that act as buffers for the cylinder, rod and piston inside the machine. The wear rings are round and are adhered to the inside of the hydraulic cylinder near the piston area. As the hydraulic cylinder speeds up, the piston heats up and moves faster, bumping against the wear rings. The wear rings help hold the piston in place while preventing metal-on-metal wear and tear. Wear rings are some of the biggest hydraulic seals and are often made of a very tough rubbery substance. 

Rod Seals

Many of the different kinds of hydraulic seals share a similar job--they have to prevent either fluid leaks or air pressure leaks, and rod seals are no exception. Rod seals encircle the rod and prevent air leaks that could decrease pressure and make the cylinder less effective at its job. Rod seals are almost always the same diameter as the rods themselves. If the machinery in your line of work uses hydraulic cylinders as a force of power and strength to lift or move other objects, and the rods suddenly seem loose or they seem to be slipping, chances are it is a bad rod seal and it will need to be replaced.

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12 August 2016

Successful Management of Big Industrial Equipment

When it comes to ordering industrial equipment for a new business or big project, it can be tough trying to keep track of everything that needs attention. Not only do you have to make sure that your new equipment is in proper working order, but you need to learn about the warranties and insurance plans that come with them in case of an accident or breakdown. You also have to make sure that employees are properly trained about how to manage and maintain the new equipment. There is no need to invest in costly training programs for successful implementation of your new equipment – you can use the tips and tricks on this blog to get the job done.