Hydraulic cylinder and ram rebuilds — Hamilton, New Zealand
Fluid Power Distributors (FPD) repairs and rebuilds hydraulic cylinders and rams at its Hamilton workshop at 205 Ellis Street, Frankton. Services range from basic reseals and pressure testing through to full cylinder redesign and manufacture for obsolete or non-standard equipment.
FPD holds over 600 machine-specific cylinder seal kits in local stock, covering boom, bucket, and arm cylinders for excavators from 8 to 40 tonnes. Supported brands include Kawasaki, Volvo, Hyundai, Sumitomo, Caterpillar, Doosan, Samsung, Hitachi, Kobelco, Kato, and Komatsu.
To book a cylinder repair or request a quote, contact FPD on (07) 849 5771 or email [email protected].
What we can do for your cylinder
No two cylinder jobs are the same. FPD offers the full spectrum of repair and rebuild services — so whatever your cylinder needs, we have it covered.
- Reseal — The most common repair. We replace worn or damaged seals using precision-fit kits from our stock of machine-specific seal kits, restoring pressure integrity and stopping leaks.
- Rod and barrel repair — Scored, pitted, or damaged cylinder rods and barrels can often be repaired rather than replaced. We assess the damage and advise on the most cost-effective path.
- Full rebuild — For cylinders with significant internal wear, we carry out a complete strip, clean, assessment, rebuild, and test.
- Redesign and custom manufacture — When a direct replacement isn't available — obsolete machines, unusual applications, or modified equipment — we can redesign and manufacture a cylinder to your requirements.
- Fault diagnosis — Not sure what's wrong? We'll strip and inspect the cylinder, identify the root cause, and provide an honest assessment before recommending the right course of action.
Over 600 cylinder seal kits — ready to go
FPD holds more than 600 machine-specific cylinder seal kits at its Hamilton facility. Kits are stocked for boom, bucket, and arm cylinders, centre joint, main control valve, hand control and track adjuster across a wide range of makes, models and machine sizes from 8 to 40 tonnes.
Supported brands:
Kawasaki · Volvo · Hyundai · Sumitomo · Caterpillar · Doosan · Samsung · Hitachi · Kobelco · Kato · Komatsu
For most common excavator models, the correct seal kit is available from stock on the day of enquiry. This reduces workshop turnaround time and avoids delays associated with overseas procurement.
For makes and models not listed, contact FPD — kits can be sourced for a wide range of additional machines.
Signs your cylinder needs attention
Hydraulic cylinder problems don't always fail dramatically — they often develop gradually. Here's what to look out for:
- External leaks — Oil weeping from around the rod seal or end caps is the most visible sign of seal wear. Left unchecked, it gets worse — and contaminates surrounding components.
- Cylinder drift or creep — A cylinder that slowly moves under load — or won't hold position — suggests internal seal bypass. This is both a performance and a safety issue.
- Slow or spongy movement — Reduced extension or retraction speed, or a spongy feel under load, can indicate internal leakage or seal degradation affecting cylinder efficiency.
- Visible rod damage — Scoring, pitting, or corrosion on the cylinder rod accelerates seal wear. A damaged rod that goes unrepaired will destroy new seals in short order.
- Knocking or banging — Unusual noise during cylinder operation can indicate worn bushings, loose end caps, or internal damage requiring investigation.
- Age or hours-based service — For fleet managers, scheduled cylinder inspection and reseal at defined service intervals prevents unplanned failures and keeps machines in the field.
The cylinder rebuild process
- Strip and clean — The cylinder is fully disassembled and cleaned. All components; rod, barrel, pistons, end caps, and seals are laid out for inspection.
- Assessment and quote — Each component is inspected and measured. We identify the cause of any failure, assess the condition of the rod and barrel, and provide you with an accurate repair estimate before any further work proceeds.
- Rod and barrel repair (if required) — Where the rod or barrel shows scoring or damage, we assess whether repair is viable and cost-effective. Repairing rather than replacing often significantly reduces cost and lead time.
- Reseal with precision-fit kits — We fit new seals from our stock of machine-specific cylinder seal kits. Using precision-fit genuine seals, not generic alternatives ensures correct tolerances and reliable service life.
- Assembly and pressure test — The cylinder is reassembled and pressure tested to verify integrity before dispatch. We confirm it holds pressure correctly across the full operating range.
- Return and reinstallation advice — Your rebuilt cylinder is packaged and returned to you. Where a failure was caused by an underlying issue; contaminated fluid, incorrect installation, or system overpressure, we'll advise on what to check before reinstalling.
Custom cylinder manufacture
For obsolete machines, heavily modified equipment, or unusual applications where a standard replacement cylinder simply doesn't exist, FPD offers a full cylinder redesign and manufacture service.
We work from the original cylinder dimensions, your machine's hydraulic specifications, and the application requirements to design and manufacture a replacement that fits and performs correctly. This service is particularly useful for:
- Older or discontinued machine models where OEM cylinders are no longer available.
- Custom-built or modified attachments with non-standard cylinder requirements.
- Specialist forestry, mining, or agricultural equipment with unique specifications.
- Situations where import lead times on OEM replacements are unacceptable.
Contact our team to discuss your requirements. We'll advise on feasibility, lead time, and cost.
Who uses FPD's cylinder rebuild service
Owner-operators
Fluid Power Distributors works directly with owner-operators whose machinery is out of service due to a cylinder failure. With most common seal kits held in stock, FPD can begin repair work quickly and provide a clear assessment of cost and turnaround before any work proceeds.
Service managers and workshops
FPD acts as a specialist hydraulic cylinder workshop for service managers handling repairs across a fleet. FPD is experienced in working to workshop schedules and providing consistent communication on job status and completion.
Procurement and fleet managers
With 600+ seal kits held locally, FPD is a reliable supply partner for scheduled cylinder maintenance across large fleets. Common seal kits are available from stock without reliance on overseas freight.
Frequently Asked questions
Hydraulic Cylinder Servicing & Rebuilds
What types of hydraulic cylinders does FPD repair?
Fluid Power Distributors repairs and rebuilds hydraulic cylinders and rams for excavators, heavy plant, and a wide range of industrial and agricultural machinery. Services include reseals, rod and barrel repair, full rebuilds, fault diagnosis, and custom manufacture for non-standard or obsolete applications.
How many cylinder seal kits does FPD stock?
FPD holds over 600 machine-specific cylinder seal kits at their Hamilton facility, covering boom, bucket, and arm cylinders for excavators from 8 to 40 tonnes across brands including Kawasaki, Volvo, Hyundai, Sumitomo, Caterpillar, Doosan, Samsung, Hitachi, Kobelco, Kato, and Komatsu.
Where is FPD's cylinder rebuild workshop?
FPD's workshop is located at 205 Ellis Street, Frankton, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand. Phone: (07) 849 5771.
Does FPD provide a quote before carrying out cylinder repair work?
Yes. FPD provides a written repair estimate following strip-down and assessment of the cylinder. No further work proceeds without the customer's approval of the quote.
Can FPD manufacture a replacement cylinder if a direct replacement is unavailable?
Yes. FPD offers a custom cylinder redesign and manufacture service for obsolete machines, modified equipment, and non-standard applications where off-the-shelf replacements do not exist.
Does FPD pressure test cylinders before returning them?
Yes. All rebuilt cylinders are pressure tested across the full operating range before dispatch. Results are checked against manufacturer specifications where available.
Can FPD ship rebuilt cylinders within New Zealand?
Yes. FPD ships New Zealand-wide via Mainfreight, or the customer's preferred carrier. All ports are blanked off prior to packaging to prevent contamination.
Get your cylinder sorted...
Whether it's a straightforward reseal or something more involved, talk to our team first. We'll give you an honest assessment, a clear quote, and get the work done properly — so your machine is back in service as fast as possible.