If you are an industrial or commercial building owner or a contractor, you may be familiar with gas springs. These are used for many different applications and can be found in everything from garage doors to industrial doors.

One of the most common types of gas springs is the industrial traction spring. These springs are typically used in applications where large amounts of weight need to be lifted by a small force. They are also used in applications where shock absorption is required, such as industrial equipment that goes up and down on a regular basis.

If you have an industrial traction gas spring and you're not sure if it needs to be replaced, here are four signs that you should consider having your spring replaced:

1. The Air Pressure Is Too Low

If the air pressure in your spring is too low, this indicates that there is a leak in one of the seals or an internal component. This can cause the spring to lose its ability to generate enough force to lift or support heavy loads. You may also notice that the force needed to compress the spring increases over time, which means it's losing its ability to retain its shape and hold up heavy loads.

2. The Rate Adjustment Stops Working

The rate adjustment is the feature that allows you to change the amount of force needed to close the traction spring. It's usually found on the top of the spring and may be marked with a scale or simply a knob. If this feature stops working, then it's time for a replacement.

3. The Traction Spring Has Lost Its Elasticity

An elasticity loss occurs when the metal alloy used to make the spring weakens over time or if there was a manufacturing defect in the original design. This can happen with any metal, but it's especially common in older springs that have been used heavily. When this happens, the spring won't be able to hold up heavy loads and may begin to sag or even break under pressure.

4. Your Traction Spring Has A Low Lifting Capacity

A gas spring should have a lifting capacity that is appropriate for its application. The lifting capacity is the maximum weight that can be lifted and held by the spring, and it's determined by the amount of force needed to compress the gas inside. If your traction spring doesn't have a high enough lifting capacity, then it needs to be replaced. 

To find out if you need to replace your traction spring, chat with a professional today.