American Hydraulics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rail Car America and has been in business for more than 22 years. It is one of the leading companies designing and manufacturing railcar cushioning units and its FreightGuard series offers cushioning units with rebuilt heads. The company has an engineering agreement with Oleo International that is one of the leading hydraulic engineering firms in Europe. The company operates its own hard-chrome plating facility where each piston shaft is grounded, plated and polished to provide extended seal and wiper life and provides complete product assembly and testing services. It provides its products and services to short-line railroads, private car owners and contract repair shops. American Hydraulics is a member of the Association of American Railroads and is headquartered in Omaha, Neb., with a sales office in St. Louis.