Used Hydraulic Cylinders for Construction Equipment

What are the 3 main types of hydraulic cylinders?

Generally, three major families of hydraulic cylinders are distinguished based on their operating principle.

The single-acting cylinder is pressurized in only one direction: the rod extends under power, but retracts by gravity or a return spring. It is typically used in applications where the return motion does not require force, such as some axle locking systems.

The double-acting cylinder is pressurized in both directions, allowing full control of the motion during both extension and retraction. This is the most common type found on construction machinery, especially for tipping and steering, with service pressures regularly reaching 350 bars.

The telescopic cylinder consists of multiple nested tubes that extend sequentially, providing a long effective stroke with compact size when retracted. It is typically used on large tipping buckets that require a wide lifting angle.

Which should you choose: used single-acting or double-acting hydraulic cylinders?

The choice depends solely on the original application on your machine. A double-acting cylinder generally cannot replace a single-acting one without adapting the hydraulic circuit, and vice versa. Always verify the original manufacturer’s reference before ordering a replacement hydraulic component.

Used Hydraulic Cylinders for Construction Buckets: A Classic Choice

The bucket cylinder is among the most requested hydraulic components for articulated and rigid dump trucks. It is usually a double-acting cylinder, subjected to high service pressures and hundreds of tipping cycles per week on machines under intensive use.

On large capacity tipping buckets, multiple cylinders may work in parallel to distribute the lifting effort. Diagnosing a faulty bucket cylinder usually involves checking the bucket’s lift, inspecting the rod, and verifying the seal integrity.

Price of a Hydraulic Cylinder: Factors Affecting Cost

The price of a used hydraulic cylinder depends on technical characteristics such as rod diameter, stroke length, service pressure, and the type of cylinder. An original manufacturer part, refurbished with new sealing components, is generally priced lower than a new hydraulic component while offering comparable performance.

What is the price of a used hydraulic cylinder?

Prices vary greatly depending on the brand, machine model, and type of cylinder. A small cylinder for a mini-excavator usually costs less than a bucket cylinder for a large capacity dump truck. Provide your part’s manufacturer reference to our technical team for an accurate quote including delivery times.

How to know if a hydraulic cylinder is defective?

Several signs can indicate a hydraulic cylinder nearing end-of-life before a major failure occurs. Visible oil leaks on the rod or seals often signal a problem first. Slow or incomplete movement usually indicates internal seal loss, while a scratched or corroded rod sliding surface points to severe mechanical wear. Jerky motion or unusual noises during extension complete this symptom picture.

A cylinder showing multiple such signs simultaneously should undergo a full test on a hydraulic test bench before being put back into operation. This diagnosis applies equally to a steering cylinder or a stabilizer cylinder, which is particularly exposed to foreign debris due to its low chassis position.

What is the lifespan of a hydraulic cylinder?

A cylinder that has undergone a complete overhaul, including systematic seal replacement, rod surface inspection, and pressure testing, can offer several thousand hours of operation comparable to a new part. Actual lifespan then depends on usage intensity, work cycles, and regular hydraulic circuit maintenance.

Our Full Range of Hydraulic Cylinders

Codimatra covers all cylinder families found on construction machinery, each with its own dedicated page. The steering cylinder ensures machine maneuverability, especially on articulated dump trucks, while the boom cylinder controls boom movement on excavators and backhoes. The bucket cylinder manages bucket tilt and digging angle, complementing the digging cylinder that provides the force for loading on loaders.

The arm cylinder controls the articulated arm movement on excavators and mini-excavators, the lift cylinder equips loaders and backhoes for arm lifting, and the offset cylinder allows mini-excavators to laterally position their boom to work alongside obstacles. The stabilizer cylinder completes the range by securing the axles to prevent machine overturning.

For brands such as Caterpillar, Volvo, Liebherr, JCB, Case, Mecalac, and Poclain, our teams master the technical specifics of each hydraulic component.

Used Pit Cylinders: A Special Application

Pit cylinders are used in certain fixed lifting equipment in workshops or maintenance areas for construction machinery. Unlike mobile cylinders installed on machines, these are stationary hydraulic components whose technical specifications such as rod diameter, stroke, and service pressure must be checked with the same rigor as onboard cylinders.

Codimatra Refurbishment: Complete Overhaul

Each used hydraulic cylinder undergoes a rigorous process before being resold. Complete disassembly allows systematic replacement of sealing components and inspection of rod sliding surfaces, which can be polished, rechromed, or replaced depending on condition. A pressure test on a hydraulic test bench simulates real working conditions to validate performance before shipping. This approach guarantees reliability comparable to a new hydraulic part at a significantly lower cost.