Cylinder Icon

Cylinder Remanufacturing

Swanson is a quality-certified worldwide supplier of remanufactured hydraulic cylinders.

With extensive engineering capabilities and decades of hands-on experience, Swanson leads the industry in restoring severely damaged hydraulic cylinders to prime working condition at a lower cost. Our global support system is well-positioned to take all types and sizes of worn, abused hydraulic cylinders and return the units to original equipment manufacturer specifications, or “like new” condition, at a cost that compares favorably to "new" cylinder replacement.
Photo showing a degraded cylinder next to a Swanson remanufactured cylinder Photo showing a degraded cylinder next to a Swanson remanufactured cylinder

Specialized Machinery To Restore Severely Damaged Cylinders

Swanson houses the specialized machinery needed to remanufacture cylinders to OEM specifications:

  • Conventional and CNC machine tools
  • 33-inch diameter by 30-foot-long horizontal power hone
  • 30-foot cylinder assembly machine
  • Laser processing and welding technologies
  • Proven testing facilities, including cylinder load testing by a 500-ton computerized test unit

Our World Class Remanufacturing Process Includes:

  • Complete disassembly and inspection of all components
  • Verification of components using the most recent OEM specifications
  • Remanufacture component per approved specifications
  • Thorough cleaning of each component
  • Induction hardening for increased strength and wear resistance of hydraulic rods, rolls and pins
  • Submerged arc welding to build up damaged components or total welding to build up excessively worn surfaces as part of the remanufacturing process
  • Reassembly and testing components at normal working pressures to ensure OEM-caliber performance

All cylinder remanufacturing is performed in-house at Swanson’s state-of-the-art facilities:

  • Single Acting
  • Double Acting
  • Welded and Tie-Rod Cylinders
  • Telescopic Cylinders
  • Threaded or Bolted Head
  • Long Stroke / Large Bore
  • Position Feedback
Quality Assurance Graphic
  • ISO-9001:2015
  • Controlled Environment for Testing and Assembly
  • Test equipment oil cleanliness maintained to 16/13 (ISO 4406) or better
  • Every Cylinder is Pressure and Function Tested Before Shipment
  • Certified Welders and Qualified Weld Procedures
Photo montage of various mining equipment, inside a parallax display
 
Repair Icon
Heavy industrial applications expose hydraulic cylinders to harsh, intensive conditions, resulting in severe wear that impacts performance. Replacing compromised cylinders with new units can be costly.

Swanson Is Your Source For High-Quality Reliable Rebuild Services

  • Expertly trained and experienced technicians
  • Free quotes for repairs
  • Flexible repair options
  • Service most component manufacturers
  • Stringent quality control procedures
  • Equipped with state-of-the-art contamination control
  • In-house performance testing capabilities of all component brands
  • All repairs are backed by an industry leading warranty
Recyling Icon

Benefits of
Remanufacturing vs Buying New

  • Proper disposal of used parts
  • Less energy consumed than in new product manufacturing process
  • Carbon footprint reduced as current equipment is repaired and enhanced for continued use
  • Resurface capabilities via laser technology revamp corroded or worn hydraulic cylinders
  • Components repaired and remanufactured to industry standards at a lower cost
  • Use OEM and remanufactured replacement parts”

Inertia/Friction Welding Process

This welding process forges dissimilar metals without filler material for a 100% welded interface, yielding joint strength equal to or stronger than parent materials.

Consistent weld duplication, multiple material welds and significantly faster weld times are possible with Inertia Welding. It is environmentally clean and safe with minimal material loss in the resulting weld. Friction Welding, a low-cost alternative for:
  • Rod Assembly: bar to eye or three-piece rods made from tube to reduce weight, or
  • Cylinder Body Fabrication: joining gland rings to tubes or welding end caps to tubes
Photo of in-progress Friction and Inertia Welding

PRE-WELD

Parts are mounted in the Friction Welder. The rotating part is spun up to a speed of 1,000 RPM.

PHASE 1  (FIRST FRICTION)

The parts are rubbing together, at low force, to accomplish a clean-up of the two surfaces and initialize generation of heat.
The force applied during First Friction is -30% of the Second Friction.

PHASE 2  (SECOND FRICTION)

The increased pressure brought about during second friction causes the metal to become “plastic” and flows outward from center to form the characteristic “Flash.”
Once the designed Flash is accomplished, the rotation is rapidly stopped. The Process then moves to the Forge Phase.

PHASE 3  (FORGE)

The Forge is caused by the application of the highest of the three process pressures. The forge phase takes place while the components are at a complete stop. The pressure is maintained until the weld joint is sufficiently cooled.
This step promotes refinement of the microstructure of the weld.

FLASH REMOVAL  (OPTIONAL)

The joined parts, now one unit, are removed from the welder and the “Flash” is removed by conventional machining practices. Removal of the Weld Flash is optional.

Joined parts;
post-weld
cross section.
Inertia Welding Cross Section

 

Outline of a friction welded cylinder
Swanson maintains five inertia/friction welding machines, including the MH700, one of the largest in the world.

Swanson’s component specifications for Friction Welding:

SOLID BAR:
1” – 6.5” diameter
TUBULAR:
Up to 11” diameter maximum surface area of 47 in2

  • Exact dimensions available upon consultation

Remanufacturing Processes

Industrial Chrome Plating

To enhance the mechanical and physical properties of hydraulic cylinder components, such as rods and internal cylinder tubes.

Watch This Process

Laser Cladding

To resurface worn or damaged cylinders, rolls and pistons to prime working condition. Our workstations can accommodate a 1-48” diameter range, components up to 80’ feet in length, and a maximum weight of 40,000 lbs.

Friction Welding

A low-cost alternative for:

  • Rod Assembly: bar to eye or three-piece rods made from tube to reduce weight, or
  • Cylinder Body Fabrication: joining gland rings to tubes or welding end caps to tubes

Induction Hardening

For increased strength, wear resistance, and impact resistance of hydraulic rods, rolls and pins.

Watch This Process

Submerged Arc Welding

Allows for the joining of thicker materials and weld metal overlay for dimensional restoration and the application of corrosion resistance/hard surface coatings.

Photo showing a degraded cylinder next to a Swanson remanufactured cylinder