Cylinder Care in the Australian Climate: 3 Tips to Double the Lifespan of Your Excavator Rams

We know the drill: your excavator is the muscle on site, and its hydraulic cylinders that are the pistons powering every lift, scoop, and tilt. But here in Australia, the conditions aren’t just tough—they’re straight-up brutal. From the red dust of the outback to the salty air of the coast, our climate is actively trying to kill your equipment.

Want to double the lifespan of your heavy machinery cylinders  and keep that down-time budget untouched? Let’s dive into the five non-negotiable checks to keep your excavator rams firing on all cylinders!

The most exposed part of your ram is the chrome rod, and it’s your first line of defense. The problem? Pitting, scratches, and corrosion act like sandpaper, tearing up the internal seals every time the ram extends or retracts.

The Australian Threat: Dust and sand act as abrasives, while coastal salt accelerates corrosion and pitting.

The Rapid Rams Tip: Make a daily walk-around a non-negotiable. After a dusty or muddy shift, extend the rams and give them a quick, clean wipe down. Don’t use rags full of gritty dirt! You’re not just cleaning; you’re protecting the delicate surface that keeps contaminants out. If you see signs of wear, address them immediately to prevent premature hydraulic cylinder parts failure.

Think of your hydraulic fluid as the lifeblood of your entire system—including your rams. It lubricates, transfers power, and carries away heat. In the scorching Australian summer, that heat load is immense.

The Australian Threat: High operating temperatures can quickly break down your hydraulic oil, reducing its lubricity and causing it to attack the hydraulic ram seals (making them brittle or spongy).

The Rapid Rams Tip: Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended fluid specifications and service intervals for your excavator hydraulic cylinder. If you are working in extreme heat, consider a premium fluid with higher thermal stability. Contaminated or broken-down fluid is a death sentence for your internal ram components.

Drift is the classic sign that your internal piston seals are failing, meaning the ram can’t hold its position under load. But why wait for the boom to slowly drop while you’re eating lunch?

The Australian Threat: The constant thermal cycling (super hot days, cool nights) accelerates the wear and tear on seals.

The Rapid Rams Tip: Inspect your piston seals and rod seals regularly. Look for any oil weeping around the rod or evidence of external leaks. If you’re seeing oil on the rod, the wiper seal has failed, and contamination is getting in—and that’s when you need to start planning for hydraulic ram replacement. Early detection of a weeping seal is far cheaper than letting contamination wreck the entire ram bore.

Following these three simple steps will help you maximise your uptime and keep your existing equipment running longer. But when the time finally comes to upgrade, don’t mess around with unreliable repairs.

Rapid Rams is your go-to source for new excavator parts and quality new excavator hydraulic cylinders. We ensure you get the right fit, the right quality, and the right price to get you back to earning, fast.

Need a new cylinder or final drive? Contact us today or check out our range of services online!