Proper storage of telescoping hydraulic cylinders is crucial to maintain the longevity of spare cylinders in storage or for cylinders for transport.
General Storage Requirements
What to avoid when storing cylinders
High Temperature/Direct Sunlight: This includes areas near heaters or other equipment that may produce large amounts of heat. Elevated temperatures can damage the cylinders seals, especially when the cylinders are dry. Cylinders should be stored under a roof if possible.
Water: Including rain, snow, wash-down or run-off/drainage area. Low ventilation or damp areas should also be avoided to prevent steel corrosion and rusting.
Sub-Freezing Temperatures: Although cylinders are designed to be operated in sub-freezing conditions, long-term storage in sub-freezing conditions, especially if the cylinders are dry, can cause premature failure of seals.
Dirty Areas: This includes dirt floor building when cylinders are stored in direct contact with soil. It also includes areas with excessive dust/debris build up or high potential for chemical exposure.
Vertical Storage
Cylinders should be stored in the vertical position if possible. Telescoping truck dumper cylinders can be very large and heavy. When stored horizontally the weight of the internal tubes can cause deformation in the seals over time. Vertical storage prevents this by loading the cylinder as it was designed to be in operation. Some seals also required hydraulic pressure to engage. Even with a small amount of oil in the cylinders, vertical storage allows the seals to work properly. although it can be minor, sometimes oil can leak out of cylinders if stored horizontally.
Note: Storing cylinders vertically does not guarantee that no oil will leak from them if they have been filled or contain a trace amount of oil, but it does reduce the likelihood of leaks.
When storing cylinders vertical, the base of the cylinders (the non-telescoping end) should be at the top.
Inverted Cylinders: These would be stored as shown in the picture on the right, in the same position they would be installed.
A-Frame Cylinders: These are stored upside down or in the opposite position in which they would be installed.
Cylinders should be restrained in vertical storage racks to prevent damage to the cylinder, other equipment, or injury to personnel in the event of a cylinder tipping over.
Restraining brands are not required but are a beneficial addition when storing cylinders. Lifting a cylinder by either end would allow it to extend or “scope out”. This can make handling of cylinder a bit more complicated. restraining bands can be added to prevent the cylinder from scoping out during transport / lifting. Contact
Airoflex if you need restraining bands.
Horizontal Storage
Finished cylinder tubes in a horizontal storage rack.
If cylinders can’t be stored vertically, they can be stored horizontally. A rack similar to what is shown is optimal, but cylinder may be stored on dunnage, if necessary, as long as the below requirements are met.
- Cylinders should be restrained from rolling.
- Wood, plastic, or other soft materials should be used to support the cylinders to prevent damage to the main stage from metal-on-metal contact.
- Do NOT support cylinders from the pin eye of the base pin. See diagrams below for proper support locations.
Note: Telescoping hydraulic cylinders stored horizontally are more prone to leaking if they contain any oil. There is also a chance for deformation of the seals if left in one position for extended periods of time. Cylinders should be rotated every three months in storage to prevent deformation of the packing. If cylinders are stored in direct sunlight, high temperatures areas, or areas with large temperature changes, the cylinder may extend (scope-out) on its own. This is typical only a few inches but may be up to multiple feet. This is due to thermal expansion of the oil and/or the tubes. If does not damage the cylinders, and any extension can be collapsed by pushing on the top of the pin eye (do not use large equipment to collapse the cylinders as it may damage them).
