[Yosemite Sam]

As much as I hate to admit it, I don't recommend that anyone abuse their hydros the way my Brother and I abuse mine.

Quite frankly, I've been slamming my hydros from forward to reverse and back again for YEARS. Normally, when I get them, I pressure wash the years of crud off of them, repair the trunnion, clean the release valves, and change the fluid and filter. Then they are all set for a good many years of abuse.

If you use yours like a person with good sense, it should last your lifetime, your children's lifetime and your grandchildren's. I wouldn't ever worry about "working" one too hard.