Hydraulic seals play an important role in helping machines maintain hydraulic power. Seals might seem like a small and insignificant component, but a poor seal can cause serious damage to a hydraulic system.

It's important that you understand some of the reasons why hydraulic seals fail so that you can be proactive in preventing these failures in the future.

1. Improper Installation

The integrity of your hydraulic seals is dependent on proper installation techniques. Replacement seals need to meet exact specifications in order to be effective. If you install the wrong seal, it will fail quickly and cause a loss of hydraulic power.

The correct type of replacement seal must be placed carefully during installation to ensure maximum protection. If a seal is installed upside down, it cannot function as effectively as it should. This will create premature damage within the hydraulic cylinder itself.

Be sure that you are familiar with seal specifications and installation techniques before attempting to swap out a hydraulic seal on your own.

2. Improper Storage

It makes sense to keep a supply of replacement hydraulic seals available at all times. Keeping replacement seals in stock will allow you to quickly replace a damaged seal and reduce the amount of downtime experienced by each piece of hydraulic machinery. As beneficial as spare seals can be, they can also become a hazard when they are not stored properly.

Your hydraulic seals should never be exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations. These fluctuations can cause the seal to harden, making it less viable after installation. Always store hydraulic seals in their original packaging and in a location with temperature and humidity controls.

3. Improper Working Conditions

The integrity of your hydraulic machinery can have a direct impact on the integrity of the hydraulic seals within each piece of equipment. A machine that is running efficiently will be able to rely on a hydraulic seal for an extended period of time. A machine that isn't running at maximum efficiency can compromise the quality of the hydraulic seals.

A machine that overheats or has a cylinder that is askew can result in premature wear of the hydraulic seals. Be sure that you are monitoring the condition of your hydraulic machinery and investing in repairs as needed so that improper working conditions don't compromise seal quality in the future.

Being able to preserve your hydraulic seals will reduce operating costs and improve the performance of your hydraulic machinery over time.