Protecting hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder rods with protective boots, as opposed to simply replacing them, is an effective method to extend the lifespan of a hydraulic cylinder in addition to protecting its seals, valves, pumps and the entire hydraulic system from avoidable damage, reports ISO-Reliability Partners CEO Craig FitzGerald.

ISO-Reliability Partners exclusively import and distribute US-based protective boot manufacturer Seal Saver’s products.

Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder rods are an essential component in mining machinery, used to power machinery components for various tasks including moving excavator booms and buckets, adjusting dozer blades, and lifting and lowering dump truck bodies, among others.

ISO Seal Saver is a custom-fabricated protective boot, specifically designed to guard hydraulic cylinders, rods and wiper seals from exposure to heat, dust, oil, water and chemical agents.

Boot material options include Kevlar for mining and chemical exposure, ballistic nylon for general and marine applications, coated silica cloth for high-temperature conditions up to 985 ºC, and aluminised Kevlar for reflective heat protection up to 316 ºC.

“We are telling our clients: stop replacing your hydraulic cylinders and start protecting them. ISO Seal Saver is a breakthrough in preventative maintenance, especially in industries facing tough environmental conditions,” he says.

Despite its simple application, the impact of using a cylinder protective cover is substantial, says FitzGerald, explaining that by preventing the intrusion of microscopic particles that pass through wiper seals, ISO Seal Saver protects internal hydraulic components from becoming worn by abrasive contaminants.

“By blocking silt-sized contaminants from reaching the rod seals, you are protecting the entire hydraulic system from premature wear,” he highlights.

ISO Seal Saver’s design reduces the risk of oil leaks, lowers the chance of overheating, shields the cylinder from debris and significantly cuts repair costs.

“In many cases, it can increase a cylinder’s service life by a factor of three to 12.”

In the current tough economic landscape, FitzGerald says unplanned equipment failure is more than an inconvenience, it is a financial liability, and “Seal Saver presents a smarter solution by protecting hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder rods from the start”.

“It is a proven solution in a variety of sectors, offering high-performance material options tailored to your working environment,” he says.

Protecting Vulnerable Parts

The installation of an ISO Seal Saver is quick and straightforward, usually completed in 15 minutes or less without any need to disassemble the cylinder.

The ISO Seal Saver wraps around the cylinder with a velcro closure and functions like an accordion, expanding and contracting as the cylinder operates.

Each ISO Seal Saver is fabricated to match the unique specifications of the machine it will protect.

“This includes considerations such as cylinder dimensions, stroke length, fluid line positions, surrounding machine guards and environmental hazards,” says FitzGerald.

The ISO Seal Saver employs heavy-duty clamps, mounting straps and cutouts for fluid lines to ensure a secure and reliable fit.

Alongside Seal Saver, ISO-Reliability Partners also offers Hose Saver, a related product that extends the same preventative philosophy to hydraulic hoses and pipes.

ISO Hose Saver is a durable sleeve designed to shield hoses from heat, chemical exposure, vibration and physical abrasions.

Like its counterpart, ISO Hose Saver features a velcro wrap-around design for fast, no-disassembly installation, and is supplied in 15 m rolls and cut to size according to hose or pipe diameters.

ISO Hose Saver acts as a physical barrier, reducing wear on hose surfaces and lowering the risk of leaks and failures in high-temperature or high-friction environments.

FitzGerald describes it as a simple but powerful addition to any maintenance plan.

“Both ISO Seal Saver and ISO Hose Saver are about keeping systems cleaner, safer and more efficient, all while reducing your maintenance budget.

“These are not just accessories, they are essential tools for any business that depends on hydraulic equipment. They deliver long-term value by minimising downtime, extending the life of critical components and improving operational efficiency.

"In industries where reliability is everything, choosing to protect rather than replace can make all the difference,” concludes FitzGerald.