How to Select Hydraulic Cylinders
Double-acting hydraulic cylinder. Tie-rod hydraulic cylinder. Single acting hydraulic cylinder.
Image Credit: Bailey | Bailey | Grainger
Hydraulic cylinders are actuation devices that utilize pressurized hydraulic fluid to produce linear motion and force. Hydraulic cylinders are used in a variety of power transfer applications. The basic principle behind hydraulic cylinders is that the force applied at one point...
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Q & A on Hydraulic Cylinders
We asked our users for their input on Hydraulic Cylinders. Here are the results of 153 users familiar with Hydraulic Cylinders.
Who Took Our Poll? | Design Trends | Applications and Use | Features | Buying AdviceDesign TrendsTop
What new technologies are influencing hydraulic cylinder design?
24 answers
Nitrided, bolt-on rod cartridge is pilot-fitted into the head and incorporates an outboard bearing design for maximum rod support and long life.
~Engineer, Pune, India
Fly ash Geo polymer bricks & block making technology in particular besides conventional use.
~Mahesh M, Engineering Consultant, Cuttack, India
I would like to know myself, some I have seen the inverter should have gone back to school.
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~Rick H, Repair, Highland, IL
From your perspective, which companies are creating the most innovative hydraulic cylinders?
25 answers
Really there are more than one, depending on application and customer requirements. You need know what is happening in the industry (all).
~Ricardo Pacheco, Technical Support, San José, Costa Rica
Depends on the Application: For Syc Lift 10,000 PSI - ENERPAC. For Special Custom Applications to 5000 PSI - Milwaukee Cylinder
~Tim H, Production Leader of Construction Cylinder Cell, Cudahy, WI
I have not evaluated any companies' hydraulic cylinders.
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~Manufacturing, Tamaqua, PA
Applications and UseTop
What are some of the applications you have used hydraulic cylinders for?
46 answers
Steel plant equipment like turn over cooling beds of casters; withdrawal and straightening machine, ladle turret, ladle slide gates, rolling mill screw down, walking beam furnace.
~Rangachari D, Engineering Consultant, Bangalore, India
Cranes, lock gates, railway wagons, offshore & subsea applications, mechanical handling, robotics, alternative energy, steel making, presses, recycling,crushing etc.
~Doug T, Marketing/Sales, Huddersfield, England
Lift cylinders for transfer cars, pushing and pulling in camber machines, squeezing in cold roll steel mills, actuators for equipment of different types,etc.
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~Other, Blytheville, AR
Please share with us any “non-standard” applications that hydraulic cylinders have been used for.
12 answers
Marine products (Stainless Steel) and Nuclear Power Plant cleanup after spills. (3 Mile Island)
~Engineering, Design, Knoxville, TN
Ship Lock Gates, Ocean Wave Monitor Green Technology, Windmill, just to name a few.
~Tim H, Production Leader of Construction Cylinder Cell, Cudahy, WI
Custom design stroke, closed leng, design make it difficult to work.
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~Marketing/Sales, Bellevue, WA
Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of hydraulic cylinders?
6 answers
Customer neglected to inform that there would be heavy side load in a particular application. Nothing disastrous happened, however, the product didn't last as long as they had hoped, but the design was incorrect for what their need really was. Their next purchase was appropriate to what their needs were.
~Tim H, Production Leader of Construction Cylinder Cell, Cudahy, WI
They worked with scratched piston rod and the oil leaked from cylinder or the rod seal they mounted conversely etc
~George O, Hydraulic Cylinder Design Engineer, Targu mures, Romania
Use of non locking cylinder leading to fail of equipment due to hose failure.
~Rangachari D, Engineering Consultant, Bangalore, India
FeaturesTop
What would your design or feature "wish list" be for this product?
18 answers
New steel material that can with stand higher pressure and less in weight.
~Suresh C, Marketing/Sales, Bangalore, India
High durability
easy to maintain
suspension at end position
painted
~Engineering Consultant, P-KARJAL, FINLAND
High strength materials that are readily available from suppliers.
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~Doug T, Marketing/Sales, Huddersfield, England
Is there any advice you want to share with users to help them avoid common errors in selection or usage of hydraulic cylinders?
11 answers
Think twice about buying the cheapest, you may end of spending much more in the long run. Also, make sure all of your application information is provided to ensure the right product is selected and designed for you.
~Tim H, Production Leader of Construction Cylinder Cell, Cudahy, WI
With our equipment it is sometimes better to specify a larger cylinder to be used at lower pressures (older equipment).
~Stephen S, Design Engineer, Gateshead, UK
Important to use the very suitable cylinder for each case and with very strict dimensions.
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~George O, Hydraulic Cylinder Design Engineer, Targu mures, Romania
Buying AdviceTop
Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using hydraulic cylinders?
11 answers
Buy Enerpac for 10,000 PSI requirements - historically very reliable and on schedule. Buy Milwaukee Cylinder products when your needs require customization or you just want a cylinder that lasts longer than the rest.
~Tim H, Production Leader of Construction Cylinder Cell, Cudahy, WI
1.Choose the correct pressure rating
2.Compatibility with the hydraulic fluid
3. Surrounding temperature
4. Mounting details
5. Reputed make
~Rangachari D, Engineering Consultant, Bangalore, India
Very important to use in right circumstances, temperature, don't scratch the piston rod etc.
~George O, Hydraulic Cylinder Design Engineer, Targu mures, Romania
Talk to experts to agree on size and pressures and construction.
~Doug T, Marketing/Sales, Huddersfield, England
Talk with someone who knows cylinders, fit it to the job.
~Rick H, Repair, Highland, IL
Product of professional manufacturer should be used.
~Mahesh M, Engineering Consultant, Cuttack, India
ROD MUST BE VERY WELL CHROMIUM PLATED
~CARLOS DURAN, Engineer, GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR
Yes the Redlion cylinders and Prince
~Luis E Sinibaldi, Engineer, Miami, FL
ASK QUOTATION FROM SEVERAL SUPPLIERS
~Engineering Consultant, P-KARJAL, FINLAND
Plan on replacing the seals.
~John J F, Farmer, Webster, MN
They are not all the same.
~Marketing/Sales, Cedar Rapids, IA
