Maintenance

Storage

Cylinders are often delivered before a customer is prepared to install them and must be stored for a period of time.
When storage is required, the following procedures should be employed:

Select an area indoors for storage, which has a dry and non-corrosive atmosphere. Take caution to protect the cylinder from both internal and external corrosion.
Cylinders that need to be stored, should be kept in a vertical position (piston rod up) whenever possible.
Port protector plugs should be kept in the cylinder ports until the time of installation.

Installation

Cleanliness is the most important consideration when installing the cylinder. When cylinders are shipped from RAM, the ports are securely plugged. Plugs should not be removed until the plumbing is to be installed. All plumbing should be thoroughly clean to include the removal of all foreign particles before making the connection to the cylinder ports. One small foreign particle can cause premature failure of the cylinder or other hydraulic system components.

Alignment - Improper alignment will result in excessive cylinder wear. Check to assure the rod is aligned between the cylinder and its mating component on your machine both in the extended and retracted positions.

Environment - Cylinders operating in areas where there is weld splatter, fast drying chemicals, paint, excessive heat or other hazardous conditions, should have covers or shields to prevent damage to the rod and rod seals.

Seal Replacement

Set the cylinder in an appropriate holding vice taking care to protect paint.
Extend the rod slightly, 3” to 4”.
Unscrew the cylinder head using the appropriate wrench, and slide the cylinder head off completely from the cylinder barrel.
Pull the shaft, head and piston assembly from cylinder barrel by grasping the shaft and pulling.
Secure the shaft, preferably using the mount area of the shaft, being careful not to damage the surface.
Remove the piston nut.
Remove the piston and head from the cylinder shaft.
Take careful note of position and location of all seals.
Remove old seals from piston and cylinder head. The poly pak shaft seal may be removed by using a small, flat screwdriver to pry it out of the groove.
Install new seals in the same position and location of old deals. Most piston seals and o-rings can be easily installed by using a small screwdriver to pry out of the flanges. The shaft seal may be easily installed by buckling the seal with needle-nose pliers and positioning it over the groove to release and push into groove. (Caution - Ensure loader/energizer ring remains intact, if applicable.)
Lubricate all seals with clean hydraulic fluid.
Install cylinder head on shaft from the piston side.
Install nut and torque according to specifications (see below).
Install shaft head and piston assembly into barrel. Be careful not to damage seals. Leave 3” to 4” extended.
Push head into cylinder barrel. Engage threads by hand, and tighten using appropriate wrench.
Cylinder is now ready to be installed.

Nut Torque Specifications

When it is necessary to remove the tie rod nuts on a cylinder, they must be re-assembled according to the torque specifications given below. To prevent the tie rods from twisting when tightened, use a vice grip or locking clamp. Note that the torque specification is based on lubricated threads.

Locknut Size

½ – 20

5/8 – 18

¾ – 16

7/8 – 14

1 – 14

1 1/8 – 12

1 ¼ – 12

Clamp Load (lbs)

Torque Min (ft-lbs)

Torque Max (ft-lbs)

8,997