The Pros and Cons of Buying Used Hydraulic Cylinders

Is Second-Hand Worth the Squeeze?

Let’s not sugarcoat it — excavator parts are expensive, and hydraulic cylinders are no exception. Whether it’s a boom, stick, or bucket cylinder, when one fails, your machine goes from workhorse to paperweight faster than you can say “R140,000 replacement.”

So when that hydraulic cylinder gives out, you’ve got a choice:

1. Sell a kidney and buy a new OEM part, or

2. Call a parts supplier like Vikfin and ask, “What have you got used that still works?”

We know you’re trying to keep the business afloat — and the bank off your back. So today we’re lifting the lid (and rod gland) on this spicy topic:

Should you buy a used hydraulic cylinder?

Let’s break down the pros, cons, potential risks, and money-saving tips — with a few laughs and workshop horror stories along the way.

First: What Does a Hydraulic Cylinder Actually Do?

If your excavator was a human, the engine would be the heart, the hydraulic fluid the blood — and the hydraulic cylinders are the arms.

They:

• Push the boom up

• Pull the bucket back

• Control nearly every movement of your machine

Without a working cylinder, you’re basically parking a very large, very expensive doorstop.

PROS: Why Buying Used Might Be the Best Decision You Make

✅ 1. The Price (Obviously)

Let’s not beat around the bush. A brand-new OEM boom cylinder for a 20-ton machine can run you R60,000 to R80,000, depending on brand and spec.

A good-quality used one?R5,000 to R20,000 — and sometimes less.

That's 60–80% savings, which is huge, especially if:

• You’re running multiple machines

• It’s a low-priority backup unit

• You're a farmer trying to dig a dam, not build the Gautrain

✅ 2. Fast Availability

New OEM parts often involve:

• Long lead times

• Backorders

• Import delays

Meanwhile, Vikfin can often get you a tested, reconditioned cylinder same day — or next day delivery if you're out in the sticks.

And we don’t need a PO and a 14-day credit check to do it.

✅ 3. Sustainability (Yeah, Really)

Used doesn’t just mean cheap — it means less waste.

Reusing perfectly functional components helps reduce:

• Landfill waste

• Raw material demand

• Energy used in manufacturing new cylinders

So go ahead — tell your customers you’re “running a green fleet.” We won’t tell anyone you’re also just broke.

✅ 4. Perfect for Older Machines

Got a 15-year-old Komatsu PC220 or CAT 320C? Good luck ordering a brand-new cylinder for that without selling your wife’s car.

Used cylinders are often the only cost-effective way to keep older machines running — especially when new parts are obsolete or stupidly overpriced.

✅ 5. Tested & Inspected (If You Buy from the Right Place)

At Vikfin, every cylinder we sell:

• Is pressure-tested

• Gets inspected for internal scoring

• Has new seals if needed

• Comes with a warranty option

So no, it’s not “junkyard roulette.” It’s smart asset management — with a little grease and elbow thrown in.

CONS: The Potential Pitfalls of Going Pre-Owned

❌ 1. Unknown History

Unless the cylinder comes from a machine we personally stripped (which happens a lot), its history is a mystery.

• Was it over-pressured?

• Dropped from a forklift?

• Used to smash open a bakkie bonnet?

You don’t always know — so buying used means trusting the inspection process and your supplier.

❌ 2. Hidden Damage

Even after a pressure test, some things can hide:

• Minor scoring

• Bent rods

• Poor chrome jobs

• Fatigued eye ends

That’s why it’s critical to inspect before installation — or better yet, get us to strip and reseal it before shipping.

❌ 3. Compatibility Headaches

Cylinders look similar — but a 10mm difference on the clevis pin or stroke length can ruin your week.

That’s why we triple check:

• Bore size

• Stroke length

• Mounting type

• Port threads

We’ve seen guys try to fit a Hyundai stick cylinder into a Volvo. Don’t be that guy.

❌ 4. Shorter Life Span (Maybe)

Yes, a used cylinder has already clocked some hours.

But with a reseal and chrome check, it can still give you thousands of hours of life — especially if:

• It’s not on a high-cycle attachment (like a breaker)

• You maintain it properly

• You aren’t running pressures above OEM spec

Still, don’t expect new-part performance. Be realistic — and let the price reflect that.

❌ 5. Resale Value

Buyers like “new” — or at least “OEM.”

So if you’re flipping machines or leasing them out, a used cylinder might raise eyebrows.

Our advice? Be honest. If it works well, show the receipts.Hell, even brand-new parts fail. We’ve got a shelf full of those too.

When Buying Used Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)

✅ Buy Used If:

• You’re running an older or backup machine

• You’re working on a budget

• You’re mid-project and need something fast

• The cylinder’s function is non-critical (e.g. dozer blade, grab arm)

• You’ve got a trusted supplier who inspects properly

❌ Skip Used If:

• You’re doing precision work (laser grading, etc.)

• The jobsite is remote and downtime is death

• It’s a main boom cylinder for a brand-new machine

• You have no way to test or inspect it before use

How Vikfin Makes Buying Used Less Risky

We’ve sold hundreds of hydraulic cylinders over the years — and we’ve learned a few tricks:

1. All units are cleaned, measured, and tested

2. We reseal or rechrome where needed

3. You get photos and pressure test results before buying

4. If you’re local, we’ll fit it for you

5. And yes, we actually pick up the phone when there’s a problem

Real Story: The Farmer in Free State

A dairy farmer outside Bethlehem called us in a panic.

His CAT 312’s bucket cylinder blew out during dam cleaning season. He was quoted R55,000 OEM — and the closest CAT dealer was 400km away.

We had a tested used cylinder for R12,000.

He installed it that weekend with a neighbour’s help.It’s been running over 1,800 hours — still strong.

His WhatsApp voice note still lives on our wall:"Julle ouens het my rêrig uit die kak gehelp!"

Smart Buyer Tips: How to Get a Good Used Cylinder

1. Know your specs — Don’t guess your stroke or bore. Measure.

2. Get clear photos — Ask for rod, clevis, and port pics.

3. Check for scoring and chrome damage

4. Ask for pressure test results

5. Factor in a reseal kit — It’s cheap insurance

6. Don’t buy off dodgy classifieds — If it’s R2,000, it’s probably trash

7. Use a supplier that knows excavators — Hi, that’s us

Final Thoughts: Worth It?

If you buy from a trusted supplier, know your specs, and do even basic inspections — buying used hydraulic cylinders is absolutely worth it.

You’ll save money, time, and still get excellent performance.

But cut corners, buy blind, or cheap out on inspections?Then don’t cry when your machine dumps oil all over the site two days later.

As always, Vikfin has your back — from stick cylinders to swing motors.

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