When it comes to hydraulic cylinders, there are several different factors that any OEM or equipment owner needs to consider. The first is always the quality of the hydraulic cylinder, as durability, low-maintenance and long duty cycles are important in any type of application.
There is also the option to choose from standard sizes and configurations of hydraulic cylinders or a custom cylinder. Both have their advantages, but in some cases, only a custom cylinder offers the exact capacity, configuration, and size necessary.
Not all produce both standard and custom hydraulic cylinders. Even within the companies that provide both options, there are various aspects of their service to consider before making a choice.
Years in the Business
A simple way to evaluate the quality you can expect from any hydraulic cylinder manufacturers is to check how long they have been in business. This is a service where quality makes a difference, and companies producing cylinders that do not stand up to real-world applications are not in business very long.
Turnaround Time
In most cases, time is of the essence when ordering a replacement custom cylinder. This means the faster the turnaround time from order through manufacturing and delivery, the better it is for your business.
Always take the time to compare the turnaround time on orders from different hydraulic cylinder manufacturers. The manufacturers that do everything in-house from engineering the custom cylinder to finishing the paint on the cylinder have faster turnaround times as well as better overall quality control.
While price is always a factor to consider, most of the best manufacturers of hydraulic cylinders are competitively priced. However, choosing a US-based manufacturer is effective in reducing the cost of shipping as well as lowering the time for delivery.