The gas struts on your excavator are responsible for lifting and lowering the boom. They're also the mechanisms that keep it in place when you're operating in a high-temperature environment.
If you notice any of the following four signs, it's time to replace your excavator's gas struts:
1. They Make A Lot Of Noise When Raising Or Lowering The Boom
If your gas struts make a lot of noise whenever you raise or lower the boom, then this could mean one of two things: either there are air leaks in the struts themselves or there are cracks in their metal parts. Excessive noise indicates the gas struts are struggling under the weight of the boom. It's best to replace them to avoid further damage or safety issues.
2. There Are Broken Shafts
If your gas struts have broken shafts, it's time to replace them. A broken shaft indicates that the strut has lost its ability to compress and extend properly, which means it can't hold up the boom when needed. This increases the risk of injuries from falling objects or equipment.
3. There Are Bent Clevis Pins On Your Gas Struts
The clevis pins on each side of a gas strut should be straight so that they can slide into place easily when operating your excavator's boom or bucket. If they're bent out of shape due to wear or damage, they won't be able to function properly. Bent clevis pins can cause your boom or bucket to become stuck in place, which increases the risk of injury by trapping you in an unsafe position.
4. Raising And Lowering The Boom Seems Difficult
Healthy gas struts make raising and lowering the boom smooth and easy. If operating the boom seems difficult or sluggish, that indicates a loss of pressure in the gas struts. Replace them to restore easy manoeuvrability and prevent undue strain on other excavator parts.
5. The Gas Struts Are Leaking
Gas struts use hydraulic oil to function properly, so if they're leaking gas from their piston housing or from around the shafts where they connect to each other, then there's a good chance that they're faulty. If a leak happens when you're using the machine, then it can cause serious damage to other parts of your excavator and even lead to an accident.
If you notice the above signs that your excavator needs new gas struts, talk to a construction supplier about getting new struts installed and make sure that you're able to keep your excavator in good working order.
