Hydraulic Pump Rebuilders Near Me: Ames Hydraulics on Freel Dr
If you’ve been typing “hydraulic pump rebuilders near me” into your phone while standing next to a machine that won’t lift, won’t push, or is leaking fluid all over the shop floor — stop searching and start dialing. We’re at 210 Freel Dr in Ames, and rebuilding hydraulic pumps and cylinders is what we do at the bench every single day, not something we farm out to a warehouse three states away.
A lot of folks who search for hydraulic pump rebuilders near me actually have a cylinder problem, not a pump problem, and honestly the two often show up together. Low flow at the pump can scar a cylinder bore, and a scored cylinder can starve a pump. We check both ends of the circuit before we quote anything, because guessing wrong means you pay twice.
How we rebuild hydraulic pumps and cylinders
When a piece of equipment comes in for a rebuild, we don’t just swap a seal kit and hope. Here’s the actual sequence we run on most jobs:
- Pull the pump or cylinder off the machine and get it on the bench
- Tear it down completely and inspect the bore, shaft, gears or vanes, and every seal surface for scoring or wear
- Measure and match seals against OEM specs — for example, we’ve run head seals like the HS686-342 at 3″ x 0.062″ x 3/16″, piston seals such as P-AA1062 at 3″ x 1.062″ x 3.25″, and wiper seals like the MCU-1500-D depending on the bore size
- Rebuild with new seals, reassemble, and pressure test before it goes back on the machine
- Reinstall, bleed the system, and run it under load to make sure it holds
That’s the same process whether it’s a pump housing or a cylinder barrel — the fundamentals of matching seal specs and checking for scoring don’t change. If you want the full breakdown of what a cylinder-side rebuild looks like line by line, our hydraulic cylinder rebuild cost guide walks through it.
Common failure signs we see when people call looking for hydraulic pump rebuilders near me
Most calls we get fall into a handful of patterns:
- Scoring inside the barrel or pump body — this is the most common failure we see, and it’s the reason a rebuild sometimes doesn’t hold long-term. If scoring is bad enough, we’ll tell you straight up that a rebuild might not stick and a new cylinder or pump housing (often adding $300 to $800 depending on size) may be the better call.
- The “other side” blows out right after a rebuild — if one cylinder or one pump section was under stress, its twin is often close behind. We flag this up front so you’re not surprised six weeks later.
- Leaking lock cylinders or lock release cylinders on lifts — smaller lock cylinders, the kind we’ve replaced for around $145 plus labor, fail quietly until the lift won’t hold position.
- Rusty or blasted mounting hardware and base bolts — this shows up a lot on older lifts and equipment stored outdoors, and it complicates a straightforward reseal into a bigger job.
- Slow or weak lift, drift under load, or fluid weeping at the rod — classic signs the internal seals have given up.
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re already past the point of topping off fluid and hoping. That’s when people start searching hydraulic pump rebuilders near me, and that’s when we want the call.
How much does it cost
Nobody wants a vague answer here, so we’ll give you real ranges based on what we’ve actually charged:
- Straightforward cylinder or pump rebuild with new seals: typically in the low-to-mid hundreds, depending on size and seal availability
- Add-on if scoring is too severe and a new cylinder or pump body is required instead of a rebuild: add $300 to $800
- Small lock or lock-release cylinders: around $145 for the part plus labor
- Shop mileage for on-site work: 40 miles round trip within our service area is a standard flat charge; farther trips or trailer work run more
- Extra tasks like resealing rusty base bolts or replacing corroded hardware: billed separately since it’s not part of a standard rebuild
We quote before we touch anything, and if a rebuild is a coin-flip because of scoring, we say so instead of letting you find out the hard way. That’s the difference between a shop that just wants the ticket closed and hydraulic pump rebuilders near me who actually want your equipment working next month too.
We handle this kind of work well outside Ames too — if you’re closer to those areas, check our pages for cylinder repair near Winterset or excavator cylinder rebuilds near Boone, and our Iowa cylinder rebuild coverage page for the full list of towns we run to.
Whether it’s a shop lift, a skid steer, an excavator boom, or a piece of ag equipment sitting dead in the yard, give us a call before you replace the whole unit. We’ll tell you straight whether a rebuild makes sense or whether you’re better off with new. Call Ames Hydraulics at 515-292-2599 and let’s get it back on the bench.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a pump rebuild or a cylinder rebuild?
If the whole system feels weak or won’t build pressure, it’s often the pump. If one specific cylinder is slow, drifting, or leaking at the rod, it’s usually that cylinder. Bring it in or call 515-292-2599 and we’ll check both before quoting.
Can a hydraulic pump actually be rebuilt, or do I need a new one?
Most pumps can be rebuilt if the housing and shaft aren’t badly scored. If we find heavy scoring during teardown, we’ll tell you honestly whether a rebuild will hold or whether a replacement pump makes more sense long-term.
Why did my other cylinder fail right after you rebuilt the first one?
This happens more than people expect. If two cylinders share a load, the one we didn’t rebuild was often already under similar stress and just failed second. We flag this risk before we send equipment back out.
Do you charge a trip fee for on-site pump or cylinder rebuild work?
Yes — we charge a standard mileage rate for trips within about 40 miles of our shop with no trailer needed. Longer distances or trailer jobs are quoted separately based on the job.
How much does a hydraulic pump rebuild cost near Ames?
Most straightforward rebuilds run in the low-to-mid hundreds for parts and labor. If scoring means a new pump or cylinder is needed instead, expect an add-on of $300 to $800. We always quote before starting work.
Written by Josiah Ragsdale, Ames Hydraulics