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Helpzone

Welcome to  the FPE Seals Helpzone.

Here you will find useful videos and articles about seals, hydraulic cylinder components and the fluid power industry.  We hope that you find something of interest.  If there is something specifically that you would like advice on, please contact our knowledgeable and experienced team today - we are always happy to help!

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How to: Measure Hydraulic and Pneumatic Seals

Watch our video which demonstrates how to size a variety of seals.

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How to: Assemble a Hydraulic Cylinder

Watch our animated video below, which shows the different components of a hydraulic cylinder and how they work.

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How Seals Are Made

Watch our video and learn more about how we can manufacture seals to your exact requirements using the latest technology.

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How to: Fit a Gland Seal

Watch our video which demonstrates seals being fitted to a hydraulic gland.

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How to: Fit OP Seals to a Cushioning Gland

Watch our demonstration of how to fit an OP seal to a cushioning gland.

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How to: Fit a Composite Piston Seal

Watch our video which demonstrates how to fit a composite piston seal.

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How to: Fit a 5-piece Piston Seal

Watch our video which demonstrates how to fit a 5 piece piston seal.

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How to: Order & Register Online

Here is a step by step guide to registering here on the FPE Seals web store, so you can find and order what you need quickly.

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How to Register & Order online (Dutch customers)

A step by step guide for Dutch customers who wish to register and order on www.fpeseals.nl 

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How to: Source replacement seals & parts for a hydraulic cylinder

Looking for a replacement part for a hydraulic cylinder, either for service or repair work, or an engineering design project but unsure where to start? Watch this video.

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How to: Use a Seal Clasper

Watch our video which demonstrates how to use a Seal Clasper, designed for the installation of PTFE seals.

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How to: Source replacement seals and parts for agricultural machinery

Looking to repair or service the hydraulic cylinders on your agricultural machinery?Watch this video.

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How to: Use an O-Ring Material Tester

Watch our video which demonstrates how to use an O-Ring Material Tester

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How to: Use an O-Ring Chart

Watch our video which demonstrates how to use an O-Ring Chart

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How to: Use an O-Ring Pick Set

Watch our video which demonstrates how to use an O-Ring Pick Set

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How to: Source sealing solutions for food and beverage production

Finding sealing solutions suitable for use within the food and beverage industry can present a range of challenges including meeting a number of FDA regulatory requirements, compatibility within an existing...

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How to: Use Circlip Pliers

Watch our video which demonstrates how to use Circlip Pliers

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How to: Use a Link Pin Dust Seal

Watch our video which demonstrates how to use Link Pin Dust Seal

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Catalogues

Master Seal Product Range

FPE Seals Individual Seal Product Range Catalogue

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Cylinder Parts Catalogue

FPE Seals Cylinder Parts Catalogue

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Machined Seals Profiles

List of seal profiles that can be manufactured by FPE Seals

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Seals Profile Catalogue

Download our Seals Profile Catalogue, a guide to help you identify the seal profile and part number you need.

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Adhesives & Sealants

Download Vibra-Tite Adhesives & Sealants catalogue

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Food & Beverage Seals

Seals for the Food & Beverage Processing & Production industry

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MAXI Kits

FPE Seals MAXI Kit range include bumper-sized O-Ring Kits ideal for routine service and repair work. Click to view our catalogue.

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Glossary of Tech Terms

Glossary of Technical Terms

FPE Seals Glossary of Technical Terms

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Product Name Glossary

Product Name Glossary

FPE Seals Product Name Glossary

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Materials Compatibility

Fluid Compatibility Table

General guidelines to how suitable the compound of a seal is to the fluid being applied.

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Fitting Tips

Installation Tips

General advice on how to fit a rod and piston seal.

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Seal Failure Causes

Seal Failure Causes

Common causes of seal failures and how this can be corrected.

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Swan Seals - Machined Seal Profiles

Swan Seals - Wiper Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Wiper Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Rod Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Rod Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Back Up Ring Profiles

Swan Seals Back Up Ring Profiles

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Swan Seals - Piston Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Piston Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Rotary Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Rotary Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Guide Ring Profiles

Swan Seal Guide Ring Profiles

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Swan Seals - Special Seal Profiles

Swan Seal Special Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Ball Valve Seat Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Ball Valve Seat Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Chevron Vee Pack Profiles

Swan Seals Chevron Vee Pack Seals

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Swan Seals - Composite Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Composite Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Face Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Face Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - O Ring Special Profiles

Swan Seals O Ring Special Profiles

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Swan Seals - Oilfield Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Oilfield Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Static Seal Profiles

Swan Seal Static Seal Profiles

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Swan Seals - Symmetrical Seal Profiles

Swan Seals Symmetrical Seal Profiles

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Credit Application Form

Credit Application Form

Please complete and return this form to apply for a credit account

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Annvraagformulier Krediet

NL customer account form

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits

Mini Excavator Seal Kits - JCB

Download our list of kits for JCB Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Case

Download our list of kits for Case Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Daewoo Dansan

Download our list of kits available for Daewoo-Dansan Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Hitachi

Download our list of kits for Hitachi Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Kobelco

Download our list of kits for Kobelco Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Kubota

Download our list of kits for Kubota Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Takeuchi

Download our list of kits for Takeuchi Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Yanmar

Download our list of kits for Yanmar Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Caterpillar

Download our list of kits for Caterpillar Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Komatsu

Download our list of kits for Komatsu Mini Excavators

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Mini Excavator Seal Kits - Volvo

Download our list of kits for Volvo Mini Excavators

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O-Ring Housing Dimensions

Typical Sealing and Cylinder Components

Typical Sealing Components

View diagram of seals and their positioning in a hydraulic cylinder

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Typical Cylinder Components

View diagram of the different parts of a hydraulic cylinder

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Hydraulic Applications

Excavator

Diagram of hydraulic cylinders on an excavator

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Mini Excavator

Diagram of hydraulic cylinders on a mini excavator

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Backhoe Loader

Diagram of hydraulic cylinders on a Backhoe Loader.

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Tracked Dozer

Diagram of hydraulic cylinders on a Tracked/Crawler Dozer

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Tracked Loader

Diagram of hydraulic cylinders on a Tracked Loader

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What are the most common causes of hydraulic system failure?

There are many reasons that could cause a hydraulic system to break down, many of which are preventable if carefully monitored. Here we take a look at some of...

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How Do Hydraulic Seals Work?

Seals are essential to fluid power engineering, as they prevent a fluid or gas from passing between the different components of a hydraulic cylinder. Dynamic (used when parts are in...

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What is a Hydraulic Ram and How Does It Work?

A hydraulic ram is a cylinder with a movable rod that can move a mass, or an obstruction as so required. In principle, a hydraulic ram works by an external...

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Seal Failure: Common Causes and Cures

In the world of machinery, repair and maintenance is a simple fact of life.  So, it should come as no surprise that when it comes to sealing products being used for...

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Trouble Shooting Common Cylinder Creep

Cylinder drift is a common problem that can occur with hydraulic systems of all types. This is something that FPE Seals Cylinder Parts Manager Tim Bone knows...

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What are hydraulic seals made of?

Hydraulic seals are non-metallic rings used in fluid power engineering, that prevent a fluid or gas from passing between different components of a cylinder, used in industrial applications. ...

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Why is it important to bleed the air from a hydraulic system?

Air that enters a hydraulic system can cause many problems that could subsequently lead to system failure. Here we discuss how you can spot and prevent these potential problems...

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How Are Hydraulic Seals Made?

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Seals for engineered machinery can be designed and manufactured in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Selecting the right material Most hydraulic seals are made from...

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What is a Rod Seal?

Rod Seals, also known as Gland Seals, Headbush or Neck Seals are an integral part of any hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder system. Essentially, they are designed to seal between...

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What Causes Hydraulics to Run Slow?

When it comes to a hydraulic system, a common complaint can be that it is operating slowly or less effectively than before. There are many reasons why this can...

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What is a Wiper Seal?

Wiper Seals, also known as Scraper Seals or Dust Seals are primarily designed to prevent contaminants from getting into a hydraulic system. This is usually achieved by the seal having...

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Why Are Hydraulic Cylinders Cushioned?

Cushioning, or soft start as it is sometimes referred to, is used to slow down a hydraulic cylinder, by reducing the speed of a piston at the end of its...

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Why Do Hydraulic Cylinders Fail?

Hydraulic cylinders come in all shapes and sizes and are used in a variety of applications. The reasons why a cylinder can fail will depend on their application but in...

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What is a Piston Seal?

Piston Seals essentially provide a seal between a piston and cylinder bore. The seal prevents leakage of hydraulic fluid or air, sealing dynamic pressure from one or both sides of...

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Why Is My Excavator So Slow?

Tim Bone, Cylinder Parts Manager, FPE Seals explains some of the reasons why an excavator can be operating slowly. “Modern day excavators come in many shapes and sizes, with most...

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The History of Hydraulics: Then to Now

Hydraulics is the technology and applied science, that uses fluid for power. The first hydraulic systems date back thousands of years, with irrigation and water clocks being used by ancient Greeks...

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What are Oil Seals?

Oil Seals, also known as fluid seals, grease seals, dirt seals, shaft seals, or lip seals, help to seal the gap between static and moving components in machinery and equipment....

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What is the difference between hydraulic and pneumatic applications?

Engineering and automation industries, generally rely on applications that are powered by either electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems. Hydraulic and pneumatic applications are very similar in that they...

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What are couplings used for?

The word “coupling” can be used to describe a range of different components in the field of engineering. There are mechanical couplings as found on drive shafts connecting two...

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What is the Difference Between Gaskets & Seals?

Choosing between a gasket and a seal can be confusing, as in many ways they essentially do the same thing. But there are some important differences to note, when...

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What Causes Hydraulics Cylinders to Leak?

Almost all hydraulic cylinders within their working lifetime will show signs of a leak. However, if issues are spotted early enough leaks can be minimised and easily fixed. Here...

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What are Hydraulic Cylinders used for?

Hydraulic cylinders have a variety of uses and can be found in machinery and equipment across many different industries including construction, agriculture, manufacturing, earth-moving and mining, food and...

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What are four major factors you need to consider when choosing adhesives?

Different adhesives have different properties, allowing them to be used in many different circumstances. As such, the type of adhesive you need will depend on the type of project you’re...

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Why do hydraulic cylinders creep, and how to prevent it?

Hydraulic cylinder creep is a common issue, that can occur when a hydraulic cylinder fails to maintain its position. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including internal leakage...

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What is a hydraulic cylinder and how are they used on excavators?

Hydraulic cylinders are used effectively in a variety of applications to move heavy loads. This is because of their ability to generate large amounts of force using pressurised fluid,...

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How did tractors impact the agricultural industry?

The revolution of the tractor has had a significant impact on the agricultural industry, increasing the efficiency and productivity of farming. Prior to the invention of the tractor, farmers...

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How to prevent hydraulic cylinder cavitation

Cavitation is the formation of vapour bubbles in a flowing liquid. When the bubble rapidly collapses, it produces an intense shock wave which rapidly erodes contact surfaces. If a pump...

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How do I know if my pneumatic seal needs replacing?

Pneumatic Seals are used in a wide variety of applications across haulage, construction, plant, pharmaceutical, food, and general engineering industries, improving equipment performance. They are designed to keep the gases...

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5 Reasons Why a Hydraulic Cylinder Won’t Work

Hydraulic cylinder failure causes downtime in operations. This situation is not only inconvenient in terms of maintenance but also takes time to troubleshoot the problem. Being aware of the...

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