Hydraulic RAMs (also known as hydraulic cylinders) play a critical role in the operation of plant machinery, lifting equipment, HGVs and industrial systems. When they fail, your entire operation can come to a halt. Understanding what causes RAM failure can help you perform the correct hydraulic RAM maintenance, catch issues early and prevent costly downtime.
At Emergency Site Services Ltd, we specialise in hydraulic RAM repair and hydraulic RAM overhauls in Aylesbury, Basingstoke, Bracknell, Farnborough, Guildford, Kingston, Reading, Richmond, Slough, Sutton, Watford, Woking and the surrounding areas, offering fast, mobile solutions to get your equipment back on track.
Already experiencing a hydraulic breakdown? Read our advice on what to do when your hydraulic system fails.
Worn, damaged or incorrectly fitted seals are one of the leading causes of hydraulic RAM problems. Seals are responsible for maintaining internal pressure and keeping fluid contained. When they fail, you might notice leaks, reduced power or slower operation. Left unchecked, seal issues can lead to complete RAM failure.
Dirty or contaminated hydraulic oil can severely impact performance. Grit, water, or metal particles in the system can wear internal components, scratch cylinder walls and reduce efficiency. Regular fluid checks and filter replacements help avoid the need for hydraulic RAM repair.
Corrosion is common in outdoor or poorly maintained machinery. Moisture entering the system can cause pitting on the cylinder rod, which quickly wears seals and leads to internal damage. Hydraulic RAM maintenance in the form of regular inspections and proper storage can help reduce the risk of corrosion.
A bent piston rod puts uneven stress on seals and internal components. This typically happens when a RAM is overloaded or misaligned during operation. Once bent, the rod must be repaired or replaced to restore full function.
Operating beyond the system’s rated pressure can quickly damage seals, rods and cylinder ends. We often see this in older systems that lack pressure relief valves or when operators exceed the equipment's intended capacity.
If your hydraulic system is showing signs of failure, or has already broken down, Emergency Site Services Ltd can help. Our experienced engineers provide on-site hydraulic RAM repair, including hydraulic RAM overhauls, in:
We carry parts onboard and offer a fast response to minimise downtime.
Don’t wait for small issues to become major failures. Contact our team today for expert advice and responsive RAM repair services.
For hydraulic RAM repairs in Farnborough, Aylesbury and all the surrounding areas, call 01753 479504 (office) or 07749 453810 (24hr).
