If you count on a hydraulic pump to get your work done, then you should learn what you can about what causes hydraulic seals to fail. The more you know, the more prepared you can be for the failure of the seals. This will help you keep a close eye on the condition of the seals, as well as to know when it is time to start getting some replacement seals put in. Here are some of the reasons why hydraulic seals will fail:

Improper Installation

When the hydraulic seals are not properly installed, they tend to get gouges and rips in them, causing them to no longer be efficient. You might not have been the person to install the seals, so you simply have to watch for any troubling signs with them. Then, when you replace them on your own, you can make sure that you are taking your time and putting them on properly.

Erosion From Chemicals and Contaminants

There are some chemicals that will cause the hydraulic seals to erode. In many cases, the seals come in contact with chemicals such as oil. It might not seem as though it is a big deal, but if the seals are subjected to chemicals over a long period of time, their quality will begin to diminish. Other contaminants, such as dirt, powder, and mud can stick to the seals and begin to break them down.

Hardening of the Seals

The hydraulic seals should have a rubbery feel to them. If they start to become hard, they will start to crack and they will no longer offer the protection that they are meant to provide. The hardening of the hydraulic seals usually occurs when they are exposed to long-term high levels of heat.

Now that you have all of this to keep in mind, you should find that it is going to be a lot easier for you to keep a close eye on the condition of the hydraulic seals. In the meantime, you might want to go ahead and stock up on some replacement seals. This way, as some of them start to malfunction, you will be able to quickly replace them because you will already have so much in stock. Since the replacement seals are generally rather affordable and they do not take up a lot of space, it should be easy to keep ordering additional ones as you use what you have in stock.