In many cases the hydraulic cylinders you need for a project simply won't be available in a standard size. This means that you will have to have your cylinders fabricated. When you go to look for a supplier there are some very important things to be aware of, and also some ideas to keep in mind when you are sourcing your custom components.
Please be aware that when you are shopping for custom made hydraulic cylinders, a cheaper price up-front isn't necessarily a better deal down the line. At Ranger Caradoc we specialise in hydraulic systems, both standard and custom. We want you to have a system that will work reliably, and we know how to get you there. We have been at it for more than 30 years, and can offer you the benefit of all that experience.
Industry Knowledge
In theory, any machine shop could fabricate hydraulic cylinders, but the reality of the situation is very different. When you design a custom cylinder, the whole hydraulic system has to be thought of. When we fabricate custom cylinders, we will know exactly what kind of mounting hardware needs to be used and how to optimise the job at the system level.
The cylinders that you are commissioning are an integral part of a much larger system. Every component of a hydraulic system will be interacting with the cylinder. Getting all of the connections to work correctly is where our specialised knowledge comes into play. When you ask a machine shop to fabricate your designs, they will no doubt be able to. But the issue that we have seen come up, over and over, is a small oversight that leads to a big problem.
Especially when it comes to custom hydraulic systems, you need a business that knows how to design, fabricate and test. Ranger Caradoc specialises in all three, and we want to work with you.
Local Production
The machine work involved with a custom hydraulic system is a very small part in the process of building a hydraulic system from the ground up. When you have all your custom parts together, you will have to spend time testing them before you deploy them into your business. If you are trusting an overseas supplier to test and trouble shoot your new, custom hydraulic system, you may be setting yourself up for a nasty surprise.
We design and build everything locally from our factory in West Bromwich. Your designs can be fabricated, tested and if need be modified in our facilities. In fact, that is what we want. Because we know that if you deal with us, you will walk away with a custom hydraulic system that works.
We can fabricate cylinders up to a 200 mm bore and 3,500 mm stroke, and we have decades of experience doing it. We know what kinds of cylinders work in the toughest environments, and won't under or over sell you. All the other components you will need are familiar to us, and we can even create custom manifolds if need be.
Track Record
A custom hydraulic system is a big investment. The up-front costs are one thing, but also consider that you are buying a piece of equipment that you will rely on for the foreseeable future. It isn't like buying a spare tyre, when you have hydraulic systems that shut down you may have to shut large parts of your operation down until it is fixed. That is why we make sure that we test and trouble shoot our systems and cylinders extensively before they ever leave our facilities.
Our clients love that when we do a job, it gets done right. Many cylinders that you buy from an offshore manufacturer will offer you a warranty. But consider the process of making good on that guarantee, and what you would do in the meantime. When you deal with us, we make sure that things get done right. If there is a problem, we are right here and ready to help.
Sales vs. Relationship Building
At Ranger Caradoc we want to build relationships with our clients based on open, two-way conversation. Making a quick sale isn't what we are here to do. We want to make sure that the custom hydraulic system you invest in will work for you and your customers for years to come. When you buy from a catalogue or ship your production overseas, you are a financial transaction to your supplier. Once they make the sale, the guarantee is the only thing you have to protect your investment.
When you deal with Ranger Caradoc, you're doing business with a company that will help you at every step of the way. We want to offer you our depth of experience, what is good for you is good for us. When you are in the design phase of your next project, call us. Get a deeper understanding of hydraulic cylinders from our new e-book: The Buyer’s Guide to Hydraulic Cylinders. Download a free copy today for useful tips on function, design and how to ensure the best value for money from your components.
