Written by the FleetEasy Team
Serving Spokane, Auburn, and fleets throughout Washington State
When dump trucks fail, especially their hydraulic systems, the result can be significant downtime, safety risk, and lost productivity. Recently, a rental dump truck was brought into our Motorplex by FleetEasy fleet repair shop in Auburn. It had a failing tilt bed hydraulic cylinder, and our team stepped up to get it working again.
Fleet Diagnostics: Get to the Bottom of the Problem
The truck needed its dump bed raised and rear hinge pins secured before any work could begin. Once safely supported, our techs could get a good look at the tilt-bed cylinder. After consulting with third-party hydraulic repair specialists, it was clear that replacing the cylinder with a new one was both less expensive and faster than attempting a rebuild. Along the way, we also repaired a leak in a nearby hydraulic line.
The job involved more than just swapping parts. Modifications were required for the pintle hitch, including the drilling of new mounting holes and extending the center hole upward. Using existing holes risked them becoming oval or misaligned. The air line fitting on the emergency line also needed upgrading, and the T-fitting had to be replaced with larger connections to properly feed the air chamber.
What a Front Tilt Cylinder Swap Involves
Replacing a hydraulic tilt cylinder on a dump truck is complex and difficult. First, there’s safety: the bed must be supported, the truck lifted or appropriately braced, and hinge points pinned. Then, the technician drains or isolates the hydraulic fluid and removes the old cylinder, which is heavy and challenging to remove. Finally, they can install the new cylinder (also heavy and difficult to install), reattach hoses, including upgraded fittings if needed, and test the system under load.
The FleetEasy Advantage: Not all shops have the equipment to lift a heavy dump truck, but FleetEasy does! Because we are a network of fleet service providers, we used Pro-Tow’s Rotator to lift the vehicle. Using our own crane, we could pick this bed up and install the very heavy lift cylinder.
After reassembly, the bed is raised and lowered several times to check for leaks, proper alignment, and smooth operation. We want to return the vehicle to working like new again!
Tips: How to Know Your Tilt Cylinder Needs Attention
Issues with hydraulic systems are mechanical nuisances, but they can also impact safety, capacity, and revenue. If you experience any of these warning signs, it could mean something is wrong with the cylinder, and you should get it checked out.
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- The bed rises more slowly than normal or hesitates under load.
- Hydraulic fluid level drops more than expected.
- Visible fluid leak at the cylinder or from adjacent hoses/fittings.
- There is a strange noise, grinding or a hydraulic motor struggling during lift.
- Misalignment in how the bed sits or tilts could mean a crooked or uneven pivot.
When you see any of those, calling a professional fleet repair team is the safest and most reliable move. A failure during loading can lead to spilled material, damage, or worse. Early detection of line leaks, poor fluid levels, or cylinder damage allows repair before major failure.
In-Shop Fleet Repairs in Auburn by FleetEasy
Motorplex by FleetEasy can combine deep technical expertise, proper equipment, and experience for jobs like this tilt cylinder replacement. For jobs large or small, including hydraulic work, brake systems, electrical diagnostics, and engine repairs, you can count on us to perform quality service.
Plus, we keep fleet owners and managers in the loop from start to finish, ensuring accurate quoting and complete transparency. From the initial diagnostics to any changes in the job, our team will be in touch so you can rest easy knowing you’ve approved the work and the cost.
For a fleet repair estimate or to book a service, call us at 253-245-5403.