Busted Boom Cylinder? Here’s Why a Used OEM One Might Be Your Best Bet
- RALPH COPE
- 12 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Boom cylinders are the unsung heroes of excavator performance. These powerful hydraulic components provide the lift and force necessary to raise and lower the boom—essentially doing the heavy lifting that makes earthmoving possible. But when a boom cylinder goes bust, everything stops. Jobs are delayed. Money bleeds. Deadlines slip.
So, what are your options? Do you fork out for a pricey new OEM cylinder? Gamble with a sketchy aftermarket one? Or… do you consider a used and fully refurbished OEM boom cylinder from a trusted supplier like Vikfin?
In this blog, we’re zooming in on excavator boom cylinders—what they do, how they fail, how to spot trouble before it’s too late, and why choosing a used OEM replacement could be the smartest move you make for your fleet and your budget.
What Is a Boom Cylinder and Why Does It Matter?
The boom cylinder is one of the primary hydraulic actuators in an excavator. Mounted between the excavator chassis and the boom arm, it provides the force required to raise and lower the boom—enabling digging, lifting, and all the operations the machine is designed for.
Think of it as the muscular bicep of your machine. If the boom cylinder is weak, leaking, or completely blown, the entire machine becomes a glorified paperweight.
Common Signs of a Failing Boom Cylinder
Boom cylinders aren’t designed to last forever. They take a beating on every job site—working under extreme pressure, enduring temperature fluctuations, and battling contaminants like dust and moisture. Here are some red flags that your boom cylinder may be heading for retirement:
1. Visible Hydraulic Leaks
Oil around the cylinder rod, seals, or base is a major red flag.
Leaks reduce pressure and hydraulic performance, making your boom slow, jerky, or non-functional.
2. Cylinder Drift
The boom slowly lowers on its own, even when controls are in the neutral position.
This points to internal seal failure or scored cylinder walls.
3. Slow or Weak Boom Movement
A lagging or weak boom may indicate internal wear, low pressure from the cylinder, or contamination.
4. Unusual Noises
Hissing, knocking, or banging sounds from the boom area could indicate a buildup of air or fluid turbulence due to cylinder wear.
5. Bent or Scored Cylinder Rod
Physical damage to the rod can compromise the seal and eventually destroy the entire cylinder if not addressed.
6. Overheating
Excessive heat in the hydraulic system can break down seals and fluid, affecting cylinder performance.
Why Boom Cylinders Fail
Understanding what causes boom cylinder failure helps in both prevention and smart replacement choices:
Seal degradation from age, heat, or poor-quality materials.
Rod scoring due to debris entering the cylinder during operation.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid accelerating wear and corrosion.
Improper handling or installation, often seen in rushed or DIY jobs.
Excessive loads or off-spec operation, pushing the component beyond its limits.
New vs Aftermarket vs Refurbished OEM Cylinders: Let’s Break It Down
When you’re faced with a busted boom cylinder, the temptation is to buy new. But new OEM cylinders are expensive, especially for premium brands like Caterpillar, Komatsu, or Volvo. That’s where many businesses consider aftermarket parts… and often regret it.
Let’s compare:
Option | Cost | Reliability | Lifespan | Availability | Warranty |
New OEM | $$$$$ | ✅ Very High | ✅ Long | ❌ Lead Times | ✅ Yes |
Aftermarket | $$ | ❌ Hit or Miss | ❌ Variable | ✅ Fast | ❌ Often None |
Refurbished OEM | $$ | ✅ High | ✅ Long | ✅ In Stock at Vikfin | ✅ Yes |
Why a Refurbished OEM Boom Cylinder Might Beat New
At Vikfin, we take pride in providing refurbished OEM boom cylinders that perform just as well—if not better—than brand-new ones.
Here’s how:
1. Original Quality, Restored
Our boom cylinders come from original equipment and are stripped, cleaned, inspected, and rebuilt by skilled technicians. Only OEM components are used in the rebuild—so the core integrity and build quality remain intact.
2. Precision Testing
Each refurbished boom cylinder is pressure-tested and checked for drift, leaks, and alignment—ensuring it’s as good as new when it lands on your machine.
3. Massive Savings
Why spend R80,000 or more on a new OEM cylinder when you can get a tested, refurbished version for half the price or less?
4. Quick Turnaround
New OEM parts can take weeks to arrive, causing unnecessary downtime. Vikfin stocks a wide range of cylinders—often available immediately.
5. Environmentally Friendly
Choosing refurbished means less waste and a lower carbon footprint—ideal if your business takes sustainability seriously.
6. Guaranteed Fit
Because our cylinders are OEM, you avoid the fitment and compatibility nightmares often associated with aftermarket parts.
Why Trust Vikfin?
We’re not just a parts supplier—we’re obsessed with uptime. At Vikfin, we understand that every hour your excavator is down costs you money.
That’s why we:
Only stock high-quality used OEM parts, including boom cylinders for 20, 30, and 40-ton excavators.
Offer a lowest-price guarantee on our refurbished parts.
Employ highly trained specialists who understand the inner workings of all major brands—Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo, Doosan, Hitachi, and more.
Back our parts with a warranty, giving you peace of mind.
Have real stock on hand—we don’t sell what we don’t have.
Brands We Cover
Our stock includes boom cylinders for a wide range of OEMs:
Volvo EC210, EC240, EC290
Komatsu PC200, PC220, PC270
Doosan DX225, DX300
Hitachi ZX200, ZX240
Caterpillar 320, 330
Hyundai Robex 210, Robex 290
Sumitomo SH210, SH240
Liebherr 934, 944
Even if you’re running an older or rare model, there’s a good chance we have the part—or can strip one for you.
When Should You Replace Instead of Repairing Your Boom Cylinder?
Sometimes it’s tempting to repair a leaking or damaged boom cylinder. But repairs can become a revolving door of expense and downtime.
Here’s when replacement makes more sense:
The rod is bent or scored.
The cylinder drifts under load.
Multiple seals have failed.
There’s corrosion inside the cylinder tube.
It has already been rebuilt more than once.
In these cases, replacing the cylinder with a refurbished OEM unit from Vikfin can be the smarter, faster, and more economical choice.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let a Blown Cylinder Sink Your Operation
If your boom cylinder is failing, now’s the time to act. Don’t wait for total failure that sidelines your machine for weeks. And don’t overpay for new when you can get quality and reliability at half the price with a refurbished OEM cylinder from Vikfin.
We’ve helped contractors, plant hire businesses, scrap metal operators, and mining companies across South Africa cut costs and keep their excavators running. Let us help you too.
Call us, WhatsApp us, or visit our Johannesburg or Durban workshop. Our boom cylinders are ready to work—just like you.
#ExcavatorRepair#BoomCylinderReplacement#HydraulicCylinderFix#RefurbishedOEMParts#VikfinParts#ExcavatorMaintenance#HeavyEquipmentLife#UsedExcavatorParts#EarthmovingEquipment#VolvoEC210#KomatsuPC220#Caterpillar320#DoosanDX225#HitachiZX200#HyundaiRobex#AffordableExcavatorFix#ConstructionLife#ReduceDowntime#ExcavatorHydraulics#BoomCylinderFailure
Comments